Headline numbers
- Codes added
- 45
- J 23 · A 8 · Q 5 · C 3 · L 3 · E 2 · G 1
- Codes discontinued
- 15
- 13 with a same-product code
- Long descriptions revised
- 11
- Payment field changes
- 5
- New codes priced in the ASP file
- 16
- New pass-through drugs (SI G)
- 7
New codes by range
The letter of a HCPCS Level II code places it in a range: J codes are drugs administered other than by mouth, Q codes are temporary codes (including skin substitutes and biosimilars), C codes are temporary codes for hospital outpatient claims, A codes cover supplies, L codes orthotics and prosthetics, and E codes durable medical equipment. This quarter's additions by range:
| Range | What the range covers | Codes added |
|---|---|---|
| J codes | Drugs administered other than oral method | 23 |
| A codes | Transportation, medical and surgical supplies | 8 |
| Q codes | Temporary codes | 5 |
| C codes | Outpatient PPS (temporary hospital codes) | 3 |
| L codes | Orthotic and prosthetic procedures and devices | 3 |
| E codes | Durable medical equipment | 2 |
| G codes | Procedures and professional services (temporary) | 1 |
The 45 new codes
Each new code with its CMS long descriptor, its October OPPS status indicator and APC, whether the October ASP file prices it, and its practitioner MUE where one is published. 7 new codes have status indicator G (pass-through drugs and biologicals) and 6 have K; codes shown as not in the ASP file are paid another way or not yet priced.
| HCPCS | Descriptor | OPPS SI / APC | ASP limit (Oct 2026) | Practitioner MUE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A2046 | Dermisphere hdrt, per square centimeter (add-on, list separately in addition to primary procedure) | S1 / 6001 | not in file | — |
| A2047 | Lacertamatrix, per square centimeter (add-on, list separately in addition to primary procedure) | S1 / 6001 | not in file | — |
| A2048 | Puraply mz, per milligram | N | not in file | — |
| A2049 | Theracor, per square centimeter (add-on, list separately in addition to primary procedure) | S1 / 6001 | not in file | — |
| A2050 | Fibrillar collagen wound dressing, per milligram | N | not in file | — |
| A4228 | Supplies for maintenance of non-insulin, device-drug combination infusion catheter, per week | N | not in file | — |
| A6614 | Supplies and accessories for use with an external ocular negative pressure pump, any type, per month | N | not in file | — |
| A9613 | Piflufolastat f 18 (pylarify truvu), diagnostic, 1 millicurie | G / 0962 | not in file | — |
| C9311 | Injection, eplontersen, 1 mg (code may be used for medicare when drug administered under the direct supervision of a physician, not for use when drug is self administered) | G / 0958 | not in file | — |
| C9312 | Injection, trabectedin (apotex), not therapeutically equivalent to j9362, 0.01 mg | G / 0959 | not in file | — |
| C9313 | Injection, pivekimab sunirine-pvzy, 0.01 mg | G / 0960 | not in file | — |
| E0788 | Ambulatory infusion pump, specific device-drug combination, single or multiple channels, electric or battery operated, with administrative equipment, worn by patient | Y | not in file | — |
| E2403 | External ocular negative pressure pump, electric | Y | not in file | — |
| G0685 | Algorithm-based assessment of likelihood of autism spectrum disorder (asd), derived from validated analysis of eye-gaze data or other technology | S / 5734 | not in file | — |
| J0014 | Cocaine hydrochloride nasal solution (goprelto), 1 mg | N | priced | — |
| J0643 | Injection, leucovorin calcium, not otherwise specified, 1 mg | N | priced | — |
| J0644 | Injection, leucovorin calcium (avyxa), 1 mg | G / 0936 | priced | — |
| J0871 | Injection, daptomycin (endo), not therapeutically equivalent to j0878, 1 mg | K / 0966 | priced | — |
| J1757 | Injection, tividenofusp alfa-eknm, 1 mg | K / 0967 | not in file | — |
| J1818 | Injection, pegzilarginase-nbln, 0.05 mg | K / 0968 | not in file | — |
| J1946 | Injection, furosemide (lasix onyu), 1 mg | E1 | not in file | — |
| J1947 | Injection, furosemide (furoscix), 1 mg | E1 | not in file | — |
| J1957 | Injection, levetiracetam, 5 mg | N | priced | — |
| J1958 | Injection, levetiracetam in sodium chloride, 5 mg | N | priced | — |
| J3268 | Injection, delafloxacin, 1 mg | E2 | priced | — |
| J3406 | Injection, omidubicel-onlv, per therapeutic dose | K / 0969 | not in file | — |
| J7524 | Mycophenolate mofetil, oral, 5 mg | N | priced | — |
| J7526 | Injection, mycophenolate mofetil, 5 mg | N | priced | — |
| J7529 | Mycophenolate mofetil, for suspension, oral, 5 mg | N | priced | — |
| J7530 | Mycophenolate mofetil (myhibbin), oral suspension, 5 mg | N | priced | — |
| J7531 | Prednisolone sodium phosphate, orally disintegrating tablet, 1 mg | E1 | not in file | — |
| J9066 | Injection, bendamustine hydrochloride (avyxa), 1 mg | E2 | not in file | — |
| J9186 | Injection, etoposide (avyxa), 1 mg | G / 0970 | priced | — |
| J9187 | Injection, etoposide, 1 mg | N | priced | — |
| J9191 | Injection, fluorouracil (avyxa), 10 mg | G / 0971 | priced | — |
| J9192 | Injection, fluorouracil, 10 mg | N | priced | — |
| J9362 | Injection, trabectedin, 0.01 mg | K / 0972 | priced | — |
| L1330 | Thoracic orthosis, sternal and/or sternocostal compression, may include anterior and/or posterior pads, panels, with or without frame, prefabricated, off the shelf | A | not in file | — |
| L1972 | Ankle foot orthosis, plastic or other material with ankle joint, with or without dorsiflexion assist, prefabricated, off-the shelf | A | not in file | — |
| L8697 | External accessory for use with implantable phrenic nerve stimulation device, replacement, each | A | not in file | — |
| Q4207 | Carbon life, per square centimeter (add-on, list separately in addition to primary procedure) | S1 / 6002 | not in file | — |
| Q4223 | Dermabind sl optic, per square centimeter (add-on, list separately in addition to primary procedure) | S1 / 6002 | not in file | — |
| Q4243 | Amchomatrix, per square centimeter (add-on, list separately in addition to primary procedure) | S1 / 6002 | not in file | — |
| Q5172 | Injection, filgrastim-laha (filkri), biosimilar, 1 microgram | K / 0973 | not in file | — |
| Q5173 | Injection, denosumab-adet (ponlimsi), biosimilar, 1 mg | E2 | not in file | — |
15 discontinued codes and what replaces them
A discontinued code cannot be billed for dates of service after its last date. The HCPCS file carries no cross-reference for this quarter's discontinuations, so the last column shows the code added in 2026 whose descriptor names the same drug or product. 10 of the 13 matches bill a smaller unit and 3 keep the same unit (C9046 to J0014, C9310 to J0644 and C9462 to J3268). Where the unit changes, convert units when you switch: the dose stays the same, the number of units on the claim does not. These rows are descriptor matches, not CMS crosswalk entries; confirm against the CMS quarterly update notice before you change charge masters.
| Discontinued | Last descriptor | Last date | Code with the same drug or product |
|---|---|---|---|
| C8010 | Percutaneous placement of permanent common carotid embolic protection device, including all system components and imaging guidance; bilateral | 2026-09-30 | none listed |
| C9046 | Cocaine hydrochloride nasal solution (goprelto), 1 mg | 2026-09-30 | J0014 (Cocaine hydrochloride nasal solution (goprelto), 1 mg) |
| C9310 | Injection, leucovorin calcium (avyxa), 1 mg | 2026-09-30 | J0644 (Injection, leucovorin calcium (avyxa), 1 mg) |
| C9462 | Injection, delafloxacin, 1 mg | 2026-09-30 | J3268 (Injection, delafloxacin, 1 mg) |
| J0640 | Injection, leucovorin calcium, per 50 mg | 2026-09-30 | J0643 (Injection, leucovorin calcium, not otherwise specified, 1 mg) |
| J1941 | Injection, furosemide (furoscix), 20 mg | 2026-09-30 | J1947 (Injection, furosemide (furoscix), 1 mg) |
| J1953 | Injection, levetiracetam, 10 mg | 2026-09-30 | J1957 (Injection, levetiracetam, 5 mg) |
| J7514 | Mycophenolate mofetil (myhibbin), oral suspension, 100 mg | 2026-09-30 | J7530 (Mycophenolate mofetil (myhibbin), oral suspension, 5 mg) |
| J7517 | Mycophenolate mofetil, oral, 250 mg | 2026-09-30 | J7524 (Mycophenolate mofetil, oral, 5 mg) |
| J7519 | Injection, mycophenolate mofetil, 10 mg | 2026-09-30 | J7526 (Injection, mycophenolate mofetil, 5 mg) |
| J7528 | Mycophenolate mofetil, for suspension, oral, 100 mg | 2026-09-30 | J7529 (Mycophenolate mofetil, for suspension, oral, 5 mg) |
| J9181 | Injection, etoposide, 10 mg | 2026-09-30 | J9187 (Injection, etoposide, 1 mg) |
| J9190 | Injection, fluorouracil, 500 mg | 2026-09-30 | J9192 (Injection, fluorouracil, 10 mg) |
| J9352 | Injection, trabectedin, 0.1 mg | 2026-09-30 | J9362 (Injection, trabectedin, 0.01 mg) |
| L8696 | Antenna (external) for use with implantable diaphragmatic/phrenic nerve stimulation device, replacement, each | 2026-09-30 | none listed |
17 existing codes revised
Long description changes can change what a code covers; payment and administrative field changes affect pricing indicators and processing rather than the descriptor. The current descriptor is shown.
| HCPCS | Change | Current descriptor |
|---|---|---|
| E0150 | Administrative field changed | Combination wheeled walker with seat and transport chair, folding, adjustable or fixed height |
| A9595 | Long description changed | Piflufolastat f 18 (pylarify), diagnostic, 1 millicurie |
| C1982 | Long description changed | Catheter, pressure-generating, (e.g., one-way valve or occlusion balloon, intermittently or temporarily occluding) |
| C8004 | Long description changed | Simulation angiogram with use of a pressure-generating catheter (e.g., one-way valve or occlusion balloon, intermittently or temporarily occluding), inclusive of all radiological supervision and interpretation, intraprocedural roadmapping, and imaging guidance necessary to complete the angiogram, for subsequent therapeutic radioembolization of tumors |
| C9797 | Long description changed | Vascular embolization or occlusion procedure with use of a pressure-generating catheter (e.g., one-way valve or occlusion balloon, intermittently or temporarily occluding), inclusive of all radiological supervision and interpretation, intraprocedural roadmapping, and imaging guidance necessary to complete the intervention; for tumors, organ ischemia, or infarction |
| J3300 | Long description changed | Injection, triamcinolone acetonide (triesence), preservative free, 1 mg |
| J9033 | Long description changed | Injection, bendamustine hydrochloride, not otherwise specified, 1 mg |
| L1971 | Long description changed | Ankle foot orthosis, plastic or other material with ankle joint, with or without dorsiflexion assist, prefabricated, item that has been trimmed, bent, molded, assembled, or otherwise customized to fit a specific patient by an individual with expertise |
| L8030 | Long description changed | Breast prosthesis, silicone or equal, without integral adhesive, any type |
| L8031 | Long description changed | Breast prosthesis, silicone or equal, with integral adhesive, any type |
| L8035 | Long description changed | Custom breast prosthesis, post mastectomy, molded to patient model, any type |
| S0169 | Long description changed | Calcitrol, oral, 0.25 microgram |
| A2040 | Payment field changed | Microlyte painguard (add-on, list separately in addition to primary procedure), per square centimeter |
| A2041 | Payment field changed | Foundation drs+ duo (add-on, list separately in addition to primary procedure), per square centimeter |
| A2042 | Payment field changed | Foundation drs+ solo (add-on, list separately in addition to primary procedure), per square centimeter |
| A2043 | Payment field changed | Biobrane (add-on, list separately in addition to primary procedure), per square centimeter |
| A2045 | Payment field changed | Novashield or novogen wound matrix (add-on, list separately in addition to primary procedure), per square centimeter |
What to update
Load the new codes into the charge master and the claim scrubber, and retire the discontinued ones for dates of service from 2026-10-01. For drugs, the replacement code's billing unit drives the units on the claim and the MUE that applies; check each one in the MUE lookup and find every code for a drug name in the J-code index by drug name.
Prices moved in the same release: the October 2026 ASP movers report lists the payment limits that changed most and the codes priced for the first time. The 2026 HCPCS roll-up puts this quarter next to the January, April and July releases.
Method
Actions come from the CMS HCPCS transaction report for the quarter; only the code and action columns are read, and the spellings CMS uses for the same action (Discontinue, Discontinued) are merged. Descriptors, cross-references and last dates come from the quarter's HCPCS alpha-numeric file. New codes are joined to OPPS Addendum B (October 2026), the October 2026 ASP payment limit file and the 2026 Q4 MUE tables. Dental codes, which the American Dental Association licenses, are left out. See the reference methodology.
Part of the HCPCS quarterly updates series, rebuilt from each CMS release. Next edition: January 2027 annual update. Earlier and later editions are listed on the research index.
Download the full table
The CSV holds every HCPCS Level II code added, discontinued or revised in the October 2026 update with its descriptor, replacement, OPPS status, ASP pricing and practitioner MUE: 77 rows, one header row and the columns quarter, hcpcs, record, action, descriptor, termination date, cross reference, same name added, in october asp file, opps si, opps apc, mue practitioner. Its first line is a comment that names each CMS source file with its SHA-256, the data date and the attribution line to keep when you reuse the table.
Table SHA-256 (the rows after the comment line): 79f07c1493fda26acf0c325c1b9dda01c071ff77abd8e77e7fefbcb33e659924. Data as of 2026-10-01.
Where QuickIntell fits after a code update
New and discontinued codes reach the claim through coding and charge capture. QuickCode supports qualified coder review of codes, units and NDCs before the claim leaves, and QuickRCM carries claim readiness and denial work with human review.
Frequently asked questions
How many HCPCS codes were added on October 1, 2026?
45 HCPCS Level II codes: 23 J, 8 A, 5 Q, 3 C, 3 L, 2 E, 1 G. CMS also discontinued 15 codes, revised the long description of 11 and changed a payment field on 5.
Which codes replace the discontinued ones?
CMS's HCPCS file lists no cross-reference code for these discontinuations, so the report matches each discontinued code to a code added in 2026 whose descriptor names the same drug or product, usually at a different billing unit. 13 of the 15 discontinued codes have such a match: 10 of the matches change the billing unit and 3 keep it, and 3 of the matched codes are temporary C codes replaced by permanent J codes.
Are the new drug codes priced in the October 2026 ASP file?
16 of the 45 new codes carry an October 2026 Part B payment limit. A new code without a limit may be priced by the contractor, paid under another payment system or not separately payable; the OPPS status indicator column shows how hospital outpatient claims treat it.
When is the next HCPCS update?
CMS publishes HCPCS Level II updates quarterly. The January 1, 2027 annual update is next; in 2026 the January annual update was the largest release, with 160 codes added. This report's January 2027 edition will cover it, and the 2026 roll-up lists every quarter so far.
Sources
Every figure on this page is taken from the CMS publications below, as released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Projection built 2026-10-10. Verify against the primary file before billing or contracting decisions. The reference methodology explains how each figure is computed from these files.
- HCPCS Level II transaction report, October 2026 quarterly updateVersion October 2026 · effective 2026-10-01 · file HCPC2026_OCT_ANWEB_Transaction Report_09262026.xlsxSHA-256 d47b5a7bc0951a4b…
- HCPCS Level II alpha-numeric file, October 2026Version October 2026 · effective 2026-10-01 · file HCPC2026_OCT_ANWEB_09232026.txtSHA-256 c25240c63108756d…
- OPPS Addendum B, October 2026Version October 2026 · effective 2026-10-01 · file 508-compliant-version-2026_October_Web_Addendum_B.09.28.26.csvSHA-256 6ad7393a318bf1b9…
- NCCI MUE table, practitioner services, effective 2026-10-01Version 2026 Q4 · effective 2026-10-01 · file MCR_MUE_PractitionerServices_Eff_10-01-2026.csvSHA-256 ef038efaf902b7bd…
- Medicare Part B Drug Payment Limit File, October 2026Version October 2026 · effective 2026-10-01 · file section 508 version of October 2026 Medicare Part B Payment Limit File 091626.csvSHA-256 508fba376a29e099…
Disclaimer
HCPCS Level II descriptors are public domain and shown as published. Replacement codes are matched by descriptor and are not CMS crosswalk entries. Operational reference, not legal, clinical or billing advice.
Found a figure that does not match the CMS file? Report a data correction with the CMS file and the value you expected; the request reaches the editorial team through the contact form.