S5550 — Insulin, rapid onset, 5 units
S5550 is a HCPCS Level II code for insulin, rapid onset, 5 units. It belongs to the Temporary National Codes (Non-Medicare) section. Medicare does not pay it — see the coverage note below before you bill it.
Medicare coverage: Not payable by Medicare
Medicare does not pay this code. It may still be valid for another payer, but a Medicare claim carrying it will not be reimbursed.
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.
Physician fee schedule statusI
Not valid for Medicare purposes. Medicare uses another code.
Global period: XXX
Want the dollar amount for your locality? The fee calculator applies your GPCI and the current conversion factor.
The CMS record for S5550
- Long descriptor
- Insulin, rapid onset, 5 units
- Short descriptor
- Insulin rapid 5 u
- Added
- October 1, 2003
- BETOS
- Z2
- Pricing indicator
- 00 — Not priced by Part B
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.
Berenson-Eggers Type of Service — CMS's own analytic grouping.
Service not separately priced by Part B — not covered, bundled into another service, or used by Part A only.
Codes adjacent to S5550
HCPCS has no hierarchy — related items simply sit next to each other in the numbering. If S5550 is not quite right, the correct code is very often within a few positions of it.
- S5501Home infusion therapy, catheter care / maintenance, complex (more than one lumen), includes administrative services, professional pharmacy services, care coordination, and all necessary supplies and equipment (drugs and nursing visits coded separately), per diem
- S5502Home infusion therapy, catheter care / maintenance, implanted access device, includes administrative services, professional pharmacy services, care coordination and all necessary supplies and equipment, (drugs and nursing visits coded separately), per diem (use this code for interim maintenance of vascular access not currently in use)
- S5517Home infusion therapy, all supplies necessary for restoration of catheter patency or declotting
- S5518Home infusion therapy, all supplies necessary for catheter repair
- S5520Home infusion therapy, all supplies (including catheter) necessary for a peripherally inserted central venous catheter (picc) line insertion
- S5521Home infusion therapy, all supplies (including catheter) necessary for a midline catheter insertion
- S5522Home infusion therapy, insertion of peripherally inserted central venous catheter (picc), nursing services only (no supplies or catheter included)
- S5523Home infusion therapy, insertion of midline venous catheter, nursing services only (no supplies or catheter included)
- S5551Insulin, most rapid onset (lispro or aspart); 5 units
- S5552Insulin, intermediate acting (nph or lente); 5 units
- S5553Insulin, long acting; 5 units
- S5560Insulin delivery device, reusable pen; 1.5 ml size
- S5561Insulin delivery device, reusable pen; 3 ml size
- S5565Insulin cartridge for use in insulin delivery device other than pump; 150 units
- S5566Insulin cartridge for use in insulin delivery device other than pump; 300 units
- S5570Insulin delivery device, disposable pen (including insulin); 1.5 ml size
Questions about S5550
What is HCPCS code S5550?
S5550 is a HCPCS Level II code for insulin, rapid onset, 5 units. It sits in the Temporary National Codes (Non-Medicare) section.
Does Medicare cover S5550?
The CMS HCPCS file marks S5550 as "Not payable by Medicare". Medicare does not pay this code. It may still be valid for another payer, but a Medicare claim carrying it will not be reimbursed.
How is S5550 paid under the physician fee schedule?
S5550 carries PFS status code I. Not valid for Medicare purposes. Medicare uses another code.