Q9954 HCPCS code: Oral magnetic resonance contrast agent, per 100 ml
Q9954 is the HCPCS Level II code for oral magnetic resonance contrast agent, per 100 ml. In 2024 Medicare paid an average of $0.76 per service for Q9954 across 142 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 18 per day on outpatient hospital claims. Medicare volume fell 86% from 2022 to 2024 (988 to 142 services). In 2024, about 17 clinicians billed Medicare for Q9954 for 23 beneficiaries.
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | Q codes — Temporary codes |
| Coverage code | D — Special coverage instructions apply |
| Pricing indicator | 57 |
| BETOS category | I1F |
| Added | 2005-04-01 |
| Last action effective | 2005-04-01 |
Who bills Q9954 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinicians billing (by place of service) | 17 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 23 |
| States with claims | 0 |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for Q9954, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 988 | 157 | $1.03 | $0.82 |
| 2023 | 377 | 41 | $1.02 | $0.82 |
| 2024 | 142 | 23 | $1.02 | $0.76 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| outpatient hospital claims | 18 | Prescribing Information |
| practitioner claims | 18 | Prescribing Information |
What changed for Q9954
- 2005-04-01: Q9954 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 Q9954?
Q9954 is the HCPCS Level II code for oral magnetic resonance contrast agent, per 100 ml. Short descriptor: "Oral mr contrast, 100 ml".
How much does Medicare pay for Q9954?
In 2024, the average Medicare payment was $0.76 per service (average allowed $1.02).
Does Medicare cover Q9954?
Coverage code D — Special coverage instructions apply. Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met.
How many units of Q9954 can be billed per day?
18 on outpatient hospital claims; 18 on practitioner claims (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related Q99 codes
- Q9950 — Injection, sulfur hexafluoride lipid microspheres, per ml
- Q9951 — Low osmolar contrast material, 400 or greater mg/ml iodine concentration, per ml
- Q9953 — Injection, iron-based magnetic resonance contrast agent, per ml
- Q9955 — Injection, perflexane lipid microspheres, per ml
- Q9956 — Injection, octafluoropropane microspheres, per ml
- Q9957 — Injection, perflutren lipid microspheres, per ml
- Q9958 — High osmolar contrast material, up to 149 mg/ml iodine concentration, per ml
- Q9959 — High osmolar contrast material, 150-199 mg/ml iodine concentration, per ml
- Q9960 — High osmolar contrast material, 200-249 mg/ml iodine concentration, per ml
- Q9961 — High osmolar contrast material, 250-299 mg/ml iodine concentration, per ml
- Q9962 — High osmolar contrast material, 300-349 mg/ml iodine concentration, per ml
- Q9963 — High osmolar contrast material, 350-399 mg/ml iodine concentration, per ml
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 Q9954
- Watch Q9954 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for Q9954
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.