Q9969 HCPCS code: Tc-99m from non-highly enriched uranium source, full cost recovery add-on, per study dose
Q9969 is the HCPCS Level II code for tc-99m from non-highly enriched uranium source, full cost recovery add-on, per study dose. In 2024 Medicare paid an average of $11.24 per service for Q9969 across 10,411 services. Its Medicare coverage code is D (Special coverage instructions apply): Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met. Medicare volume fell 17% from 2022 to 2024 (12,520 to 10,411 services). In 2024, about 193 clinicians billed Medicare for Q9969 for 6,457 beneficiaries; North Carolina, Alabama, Massachusetts accounted for 54% of services.
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | Q codes — Temporary codes |
| Coverage code | D — Special coverage instructions apply |
| Pricing indicator | 53 |
| BETOS category | Y1 |
| Added | 2013-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2013-01-01 |
Who bills Q9969 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinicians billing (by place of service) | 193 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 6,457 |
| States with claims | 19 |
| Share of services in top 3 states (North Carolina, Alabama, Massachusetts) | 54% |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for Q9969, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 12,520 | 7,501 | $12.75 | $10.15 |
| 2023 | 9,910 | 6,856 | $14.40 | $11.47 |
| 2024 | 10,411 | 6,457 | $14.11 | $11.24 |
States with the most Q9969 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 2,844 | $7.78 |
| Alabama | 1,421 | $7.66 |
| Massachusetts | 1,370 | $11.99 |
| California | 1,107 | $9.23 |
| Illinois | 920 | $37.57 |
What changed for Q9969
- 2013-01-01: Q9969 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 Q9969?
Q9969 is the HCPCS Level II code for tc-99m from non-highly enriched uranium source, full cost recovery add-on, per study dose. Short descriptor: "Non-heu tc-99m add-on/dose".
How much does Medicare pay for Q9969?
In 2024, the average Medicare payment was $11.24 per service (average allowed $14.11).
Does Medicare cover Q9969?
Coverage code D — Special coverage instructions apply. Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met.
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
- Q9954 — Oral magnetic resonance contrast agent, per 100 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
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 Q9969
- Watch Q9969 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for Q9969
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.