Q0111 HCPCS code: Wet mounts, including preparations of vaginal, cervical or skin specimens
Q0111 is the HCPCS Level II code for wet mounts, including preparations of vaginal, cervical or skin specimens. In 2024 Medicare paid an average of $16.57 per service for Q0111 across 8,292 services. Its Medicare coverage code is C (Carrier judgment): Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case. The NCCI unit limit is 2 per day on outpatient hospital claims. Medicare volume fell 29% from 2022 to 2024 (11,627 to 8,292 services). In 2024, about 1,800 clinicians billed Medicare for Q0111 for 6,828 beneficiaries; California, Pennsylvania, North Carolina accounted for 31% of services.
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | Q codes — Temporary codes |
| Coverage code | C — Carrier judgment |
| Pricing indicator | 21 — Priced on the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule |
| BETOS category | T1H |
| Added | 1994-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2020-01-01 |
Who bills Q0111 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinicians billing (by place of service) | 1,800 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 6,828 |
| States with claims | 40 |
| Share of services in top 3 states (California, Pennsylvania, North Carolina) | 31% |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for Q0111, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 11,627 | 9,493 | $14.81 | $14.81 |
| 2023 | 9,742 | 7,867 | $15.80 | $15.80 |
| 2024 | 8,292 | 6,828 | $16.57 | $16.57 |
States with the most Q0111 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| California | 982 | $17.00 |
| Pennsylvania | 820 | $16.22 |
| North Carolina | 781 | $16.89 |
| South Carolina | 636 | $16.60 |
| Florida | 531 | $16.55 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| outpatient hospital claims | 2 | Clinical: Data |
| practitioner claims | 2 | Clinical: Data |
What changed for Q0111
- 1994-01-01: Q0111 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 Q0111?
Q0111 is the HCPCS Level II code for wet mounts, including preparations of vaginal, cervical or skin specimens. Short descriptor: "Wet mounts/ w preparations".
How much does Medicare pay for Q0111?
In 2024, the average Medicare payment was $16.57 per service (average allowed $16.57).
Does Medicare cover Q0111?
Coverage code C — Carrier judgment. Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case.
How many units of Q0111 can be billed per day?
2 on outpatient hospital claims; 2 on practitioner claims (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related Q01 codes
- Q0112 — All potassium hydroxide (koh) preparations
- Q0113 — Pinworm examinations
- Q0114 — Fern test
- Q0115 — Post-coital direct, qualitative examinations of vaginal or cervical mucous
- Q0138 — Injection, ferumoxytol, for treatment of iron deficiency anemia, 1 mg (non-esrd use)
- Q0139 — Injection, ferumoxytol, for treatment of iron deficiency anemia, 1 mg (for esrd on dialysis)
- Q0144 — Azithromycin dihydrate, oral, capsules/powder, 1 gram
- Q0155 — Dronabinol (syndros), 0.1 mg, oral, fda approved prescription anti-emetic, for use as a complete therapeutic substitute for an iv anti-emetic at the time of chemotherapy treatment, not to exceed a 48 hour dosage regimen
- Q0161 — Chlorpromazine hydrochloride, 5 mg, oral, fda approved prescription anti-emetic, for use as a complete therapeutic substitute for an iv anti-emetic at the time of chemotherapy treatment, not to exceed a 48 hour dosage regimen
- Q0162 — Ondansetron 1 mg, oral, fda approved prescription anti-emetic, for use as a complete therapeutic substitute for an iv anti-emetic at the time of chemotherapy treatment, not to exceed a 48 hour dosage regimen
- Q0163 — Diphenhydramine hydrochloride, 50 mg, oral, fda approved prescription anti-emetic, for use as a complete therapeutic substitute for an iv anti-emetic at time of chemotherapy treatment not to exceed a 48 hour dosage regimen
- Q0164 — Prochlorperazine maleate, 5 mg, oral, fda approved prescription anti-emetic, for use as a complete therapeutic substitute for an iv anti-emetic at the time of chemotherapy treatment, not to exceed a 48 hour dosage regimen
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 Q0111
- Watch Q0111 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for Q0111
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.