Q9993 — Injection, triamcinolone acetonide, preservative-free, extended-release, microsphere formulation, 1 mg
Q9993 is a HCPCS Level II code for injection, triamcinolone acetonide, preservative-free, extended-release, microsphere formulation, 1 mg. It belongs to the Temporary Codes section. It was terminated on December 31, 2018 and is not valid on new claims.
This code has been terminated
CMS terminated Q9993 on December 31, 2018. It stays in the file as history — a claim you are auditing from before that date may legitimately carry it — but it must not appear on a new claim. The adjacent codes below are the usual place to look for its replacement.
Medicare coverage: Special coverage instructions apply
There are published conditions attached to this code. Check the applicable coverage policy before billing it: the code being valid is not the same as the service being covered.
From the coverage field of the CMS Alpha-Numeric HCPCS File, release 2026Q3-Jul. This states Medicare’s position on the code, not on your particular claim.
The CMS record for Q9993
- Long descriptor
- Injection, triamcinolone acetonide, preservative-free, extended-release, microsphere formulation, 1 mg
- Short descriptor
- Inj., triamcinolone ext rel
- Added
- July 1, 2018
- Terminated
- December 31, 2018
- BETOS
- O1E
- Pricing indicator
- 51 — Other
The official wording. This is what the code means.
CMS's 28-character form, which is what shows up on a remittance advice.
When CMS introduced the code.
When CMS retired it.
Berenson-Eggers Type of Service — CMS's own analytic grouping.
Drugs.
Codes adjacent to Q9993
HCPCS has no hierarchy — related items simply sit next to each other in the numbering. If Q9993 is not quite right, the correct code is very often within a few positions of it.
- Q9984Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine contraceptive system (kyleena), 19.5 mgterminated
- Q9985Injection, hydroxyprogesterone caproate, not otherwise specified, 10 mgterminated
- Q9986Injection, hydroxyprogesterone caproate, (makena), 10 mgterminated
- Q9987Pathogen(s) test for plateletsterminated
- Q9988Platelets, pheresis, pathogen-reduced, each unitterminated
- Q9989Ustekinumab, for intravenous injection, 1 mgterminated
- Q9991Injection, buprenorphine extended-release (sublocade), less than or equal to 100 mg
- Q9992Injection, buprenorphine extended-release (sublocade), greater than 100 mg
- Q9994In-line cartridge containing digestive enzyme(s) for enteral feeding, eachterminated
- Q9995Injection, emicizumab-kxwh, 0.5 mgterminated
- Q9996Injection, ustekinumab-ttwe (pyzchiva), subcutaneous, 1 mg
- Q9997Injection, ustekinumab-ttwe (pyzchiva), intravenous, 1 mg
- Q9998Injection, ustekinumab-aekn (selarsdi), biosimilar, 1 mg
- Q9999Injection, ustekinumab-aauz (otulfi), biosimilar, 1 mg
- R0070Transportation of portable x-ray equipment and personnel to home or nursing home, per trip to facility or location, one patient seen
- R0075Transportation of portable x-ray equipment and personnel to home or nursing home, per trip to facility or location, more than one patient seen
Questions about Q9993
What is HCPCS code Q9993?
Q9993 is a HCPCS Level II code for injection, triamcinolone acetonide, preservative-free, extended-release, microsphere formulation, 1 mg. It sits in the Temporary Codes section.
Does Medicare cover Q9993?
The CMS HCPCS file marks Q9993 as "Special coverage instructions apply". There are published conditions attached to this code. Check the applicable coverage policy before billing it: the code being valid is not the same as the service being covered.
Is Q9993 still valid?
No. Q9993 was terminated on December 31, 2018 and should not be used on new claims.