U0005 HCPCS code: Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (dna or rna); severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (sars-cov-2) (coronavirus disease [covid-19]), amplified probe technique, cdc or non-cdc, making use of high throughput technologies, completed within 2 calendar days from date of specimen collection (list separately in addition to either hcpcs code u0003 or u0004) as described by cms-2020-01-r2
U0005 is the HCPCS Level II code for infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (dna or rna); severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (sars-cov-2) (coronavirus disease [covid-19]), amplified probe technique, cdc or non-cdc, making use of high throughput technologies, completed within 2 calendar days from date of specimen collection (list separately in addition to either hcpcs code u0003 or u0004) as described by cms-2020-01-r2. CMS terminated U0005 on 2023-05-11; do not bill it for later dates of service. In 2023 Medicare paid an average of $24.49 per service for U0005 across 1,487,037 services. Its Medicare coverage code is C (Carrier judgment): Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case. Medicare volume fell 81% from 2022 to 2023 (7,858,965 to 1,487,037 services). In 2023, about 4,024 clinicians billed Medicare for U0005 for 600,452 beneficiaries; California, Illinois, New Jersey accounted for 64% of services.
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | U codes — Coronavirus diagnostic panel / laboratory |
| Coverage code | C — Carrier judgment |
| Pricing indicator | 22 |
| BETOS category | T1H |
| Added | 2021-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2023-05-12 |
| Terminated | 2023-05-11 |
Who bills U0005 (2023)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinicians billing (by place of service) | 4,024 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 600,452 |
| States with claims | 49 |
| Share of services in top 3 states (California, Illinois, New Jersey) | 64% |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for U0005, 2022–2023
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 7,858,965 | 2,617,589 | $24.72 | $24.72 |
| 2023 | 1,487,037 | 600,452 | $24.49 | $24.49 |
States with the most U0005 services (2023)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| California | 469,451 | $24.50 |
| Illinois | 356,589 | $24.50 |
| New Jersey | 130,374 | $24.49 |
| North Carolina | 97,044 | $24.50 |
| New York | 61,079 | $24.50 |
What changed for U0005
- 2021-01-01: U0005 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 U0005?
U0005 is the HCPCS Level II code for infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (dna or rna); severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (sars-cov-2) (coronavirus disease [covid-19]), amplified probe technique, cdc or non-cdc, making use of high throughput technologies, completed within 2 calendar days from date of specimen collection (list separately in addition to either hcpcs code u0003 or u0004) as described by cms-2020-01-r2. Short descriptor: "Infec agen detec ampli probe".
How much does Medicare pay for U0005?
In 2023, the average Medicare payment was $24.49 per service (average allowed $24.49).
Does Medicare cover U0005?
Coverage code C — Carrier judgment. Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case.
Related U00 codes
- U0001 — Cdc 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-ncov) real-time rt-pcr diagnostic panel
- U0002 — 2019-ncov coronavirus, sars-cov-2/2019-ncov (covid-19), any technique, multiple types or subtypes (includes all targets), non-cdc
- U0003 — Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (dna or rna); severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (sars-cov-2) (coronavirus disease [covid-19]), amplified probe technique, making use of high throughput technologies as described by cms-2020-01-r
- U0004 — 2019-ncov coronavirus, sars-cov-2/2019-ncov (covid-19), any technique, multiple types or subtypes (includes all targets), non-cdc, making use of high throughput technologies as described by cms-2020-01-r
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 U0005
- Watch U0005 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for U0005
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.