MLN Connects® Special Edition for Friday, January 7, 2022

COVID-19: New HCPCS Code for Remdesivir Antiviral Medication

Following the recent statement from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel regarding therapies for the COVID-19 Omicron variant, CMS created HCPCS code J0248 for VEKLURY™ (remdesivir) antiviral medication when administered in an outpatient setting. This code is available for use by all payers and is effective for dates of service on or after December 23, 2021:

• Long descriptor: Injection, remdesivir, 1 mg
• Short descriptor: Inj, remdesivir, 1 mg

MACs determine Medicare coverage when there is no national coverage determination, including in cases when providers use FDA-approved drugs for indications other than what is on the approved label. The MACs consider the major drug compendia, authoritative medical literature and accepted standards of medical practice to determine medical necessity when considering coverage. Therefore, the MACs will determine Medicare coverage for HCPCS code J0248 for VEKLURY™ (remdesivir) administered in an outpatient setting. 

Your MAC will share coverage and claims processing information for J0248. Contact your MAC if you have questions about coverage.

Posted 1/7/2022