C9738 — Adjunctive blue light cystoscopy with fluorescent imaging agent (list separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
C9738 is a HCPCS Level II code for adjunctive blue light cystoscopy with fluorescent imaging agent (list separately in addition to code for primary procedure). It belongs to the Outpatient Prospective Payment System section. Whether Medicare pays it depends on the coverage rule below.
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.
Medically Unlikely Edits — units per day
The most units of C9738 Medicare will pay on one date of service. Bill more on a single line and it is denied. The limit is not the same in every setting, so the row that matters is the one matching the claim you are building.
- practitioner
- 1 unit MAI 3 — Date of Service Edit: Clinical · Nature of Service/Procedure
- outpatient
- 1 unit MAI 3 — Date of Service Edit: Clinical · Nature of Service/Procedure
The adjudication indicator decides whether exceeding the limit is worth appealing at all: MAI 1 is a line edit you can support with documentation, MAI 3 is a date-of-service edit that is also appealable, and MAI 2 is absolute — no documentation overrides it. CMS MUE 2026Q3.
The CMS record for C9738
- Long descriptor
- Adjunctive blue light cystoscopy with fluorescent imaging agent (list separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
- Short descriptor
- Blue light cysto imag agent
- Added
- January 1, 2018
- BETOS
- I1F
- Pricing indicator
- 53 — 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.
Berenson-Eggers Type of Service — CMS's own analytic grouping.
Statute.
Codes adjacent to C9738
HCPCS has no hierarchy — related items simply sit next to each other in the numbering. If C9738 is not quite right, the correct code is very often within a few positions of it.
- C9725Placement of endorectal intracavitary applicator for high intensity brachytherapy
- C9726Placement and removal (if performed) of applicator into breast for intraoperative radiation therapy, add-on to primary breast procedure
- C9727Insertion of implants into the soft palate; minimum of three implants
- C9728Placement of interstitial device(s) for radiation therapy/surgery guidance (e.g., fiducial markers, dosimeter), for other than the following sites (any approach): abdomen, pelvis, prostate, retroperitoneum, thorax, single or multiple
- C9733Non-ophthalmic fluorescent vascular angiography
- C9734Focused ultrasound ablation/therapeutic intervention, other than uterine leiomyomata, with magnetic resonance (mr) guidance
- C9735Anoscopy; with directed submucosal injection(s), any substanceterminated
- C9737Laparoscopy, surgical, esophageal sphincter augmentation with device (e.g., magnetic band)terminated
- C9739Cystourethroscopy, with insertion of transprostatic implant; 1 to 3 implants
- C9740Cystourethroscopy, with insertion of transprostatic implant; 4 or more implants
- C9741Right heart catheterization with implantation of wireless pressure sensor in the pulmonary artery, including any type of measurement, angiography, imaging supervision, interpretation, and reportterminated
- C9742Laryngoscopy, flexible fiberoptic, with injection into vocal cord(s), therapeutic, including diagnostic laryngoscopy, if performedterminated
- C9743Injection/implantation of bulking or spacer material (any type) with or without image guidance (not to be used if a more specific code applies)terminated
- C9744Ultrasound, abdominal, with contrastterminated
- C9745Nasal endoscopy, surgical; balloon dilation of eustachian tubeterminated
- C9746Transperineal implantation of permanent adjustable balloon continence device, with cystourethroscopy, when performed and/or fluoroscopy, when performedterminated
Questions about C9738
What is HCPCS code C9738?
C9738 is a HCPCS Level II code for adjunctive blue light cystoscopy with fluorescent imaging agent (list separately in addition to code for primary procedure). It sits in the Outpatient Prospective Payment System section.
Does Medicare cover C9738?
The CMS HCPCS file marks C9738 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.