J7121 HCPCS code: 5% dextrose in lactated ringers infusion, up to 1000 cc
J7121 is the HCPCS Level II code for 5% dextrose in lactated ringers infusion, up to 1000 cc. In 2024 Medicare paid an average of $4.19 per service for J7121 across 150 services. Its Medicare coverage code is D (Special coverage instructions apply): Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met. The NCCI unit limit is 5 per day on outpatient hospital claims. Medicare volume fell 16% from 2022 to 2024 (179 to 150 services). In 2024, about 45 clinicians billed Medicare for J7121 for 100 beneficiaries.
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | J codes — Drugs administered other than oral method |
| Coverage code | D — Special coverage instructions apply |
| Pricing indicator | 51 — Drug or biological (priced per ASP/average sales price rules) |
| BETOS category | O1E — Other drugs |
| Added | 2016-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2016-01-01 |
Who bills J7121 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinicians billing (by place of service) | 45 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 100 |
| States with claims | 3 |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for J7121, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 179 | 82 | $4.08 | $3.09 |
| 2023 | 272 | 111 | $4.32 | $3.40 |
| 2024 | 150 | 100 | $5.68 | $4.19 |
States with the most J7121 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 43 | $4.14 |
| California | 36 | $5.89 |
| Kansas | 19 | $4.41 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| outpatient hospital claims | 5 | Clinical: Data |
| practitioner claims | 4 | Clinical: CMS Workgroup |
What changed for J7121
- 2016-01-01: J7121 added to HCPCS Level II
- Next scheduled CMS quarterly update (HCPCS and DMEPOS fee schedule): 2027-01-01
Frequently asked questions
What is HCPCS code J7121?
J7121 is the HCPCS Level II code for 5% dextrose in lactated ringers infusion, up to 1000 cc. Short descriptor: "5% dextrose in lac ringers".
How much does Medicare pay for J7121?
In 2024, the average Medicare payment was $4.19 per service (average allowed $5.68).
Does Medicare cover J7121?
Coverage code D — Special coverage instructions apply. Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met.
How many units of J7121 can be billed per day?
5 on outpatient hospital claims; 4 on practitioner claims (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related J71 codes
- J7100 — Infusion, dextran 40, 500 ml
- J7110 — Infusion, dextran 75, 500 ml
- J7120 — Ringers lactate infusion, up to 1000 cc
- J7131 — Hypertonic saline solution, 1 ml
- J7165 — Injection, prothrombin complex concentrate, human-lans, per i.u. of factor ix activity
- J7168 — Prothrombin complex concentrate (human), kcentra, per i.u. of factor ix activity
- J7169 — Injection, coagulation factor xa (recombinant), inactivated-zhzo (andexxa), 10 mg
- J7170 — Injection, emicizumab-kxwh, 0.5 mg
- J7171 — Injection, adamts13, recombinant-krhn, 10 iu
- J7172 — Injection, marstacimab-hncq, 0.5 mg
- J7173 — Injection, concizumab-mtci, 0.5 mg
- J7174 — Injection, fitusiran, 0.04 mg
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Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under J7121
- Watch J7121 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for J7121
Sources: CMS HCPCS Level II release October 2026; CMS DMEPOS fee schedule; CMS NCCI MUE tables; CMS Medicare utilization (physician and DME supplier files); CMS Medicare Coverage Database articles. Fees are Medicare allowables, not commercial rates. Not billing or legal advice.