M1278 HCPCS code: Elevated or hypertensive blood pressure reading documented, and the indicated follow-up is documented
M1278 is the HCPCS Level II code for elevated or hypertensive blood pressure reading documented, and the indicated follow-up is documented. Its Medicare coverage code is C (Carrier judgment): Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case.
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | M codes — Medical services and quality measures |
| Coverage code | C — Carrier judgment |
| Pricing indicator | 00 — Not separately priced by Medicare |
| BETOS category | Z2 |
| Added | 2024-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2024-01-01 |
What changed for M1278
- 2024-01-01: M1278 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 M1278?
M1278 is the HCPCS Level II code for elevated or hypertensive blood pressure reading documented, and the indicated follow-up is documented. Short descriptor: "Pre-htn or htn doc, f/u indc".
Does Medicare cover M1278?
Coverage code C — Carrier judgment. Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case.
Related M12 codes
- M1200 — Ace inhibitor (ace-i) or arb therapy prescribed during the measurement period
- M1201 — Documentation of medical reason(s) for not prescribing ace inhibitor (ace-i) or arb therapy during the measurement period (e.g., pregnancy, history of angioedema to ace-i, other allergy to ace-i and arb, hyperkalemia or history of hyperkalemia while on ace-i or arb therapy, acute kidney injury due to ace-i or arb therapy), other medical reasons)
- M1202 — Documentation of patient reason(s) for not prescribing ace inhibitor or arb therapy during the measurement period, (e.g., patient declined, other patient reasons)
- M1203 — Ace inhibitor or arb therapy not prescribed during the measurement period, reason not given
- M1204 — Initial (index visit) numeric rating scale (nrs), visual rating scale (vrs), or itchyquant assessment score of greater than or equal to 4
- M1205 — Itch severity assessment score is reduced by 3 or more points from the initial (index) assessment score to the follow-up visit score
- M1206 — Itch severity assessment score was not reduced by at least 3 points from initial (index) score to the follow-up visit score or assessment was not completed during the follow-up encounter
- M1207 — Patient is screened for food insecurity, housing instability, transportation needs, utility difficulties, and interpersonal safety
- M1208 — Patient is not screened for food insecurity, housing instability, transportation needs, utility difficulties, and interpersonal safety
- M1209 — At least two orders for high-risk medications from the same drug class, (table 4), without appropriate diagnoses
- M1210 — At least two orders for high-risk medications from the same drug class, (table 4), not ordered
- M1211 — Most recent glycemic status assessment (hba1c or gmi) level > 9.0%
Building a device that would bill under a code like this? Caduvo matches a device description to HCPCS/CPT codes, Medicare coverage and payment, and the FDA pathway in one report.
Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under M1278
- Watch M1278 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for M1278
Sources: CMS HCPCS Level II release October 2025; 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.