Q9973 — Injection, epoetin beta, 1 microgram, (non-esrd use)
Q9973 is a HCPCS Level II code for injection, epoetin beta, 1 microgram, (non-esrd use). It belongs to the Temporary Codes section. It was terminated on December 31, 2014 and is not valid on new claims.
This code has been terminated
CMS terminated Q9973 on December 31, 2014. 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 Q9973
- Long descriptor
- Injection, epoetin beta, 1 microgram, (non-esrd use)
- Short descriptor
- Epoetin beta non esrd
- Added
- July 1, 2014
- Terminated
- December 31, 2014
- BETOS
- O1E
- Pricing indicator
- 57 — 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.
Other carrier priced.
Codes adjacent to Q9973
HCPCS has no hierarchy — related items simply sit next to each other in the numbering. If Q9973 is not quite right, the correct code is very often within a few positions of it.
- Q9964High osmolar contrast material, 400 or greater mg/ml iodine concentration, per ml
- Q9965Low osmolar contrast material, 100-199 mg/ml iodine concentration, per ml
- Q9966Low osmolar contrast material, 200-299 mg/ml iodine concentration, per ml
- Q9967Low osmolar contrast material, 300-399 mg/ml iodine concentration, per ml
- Q9968Injection, non-radioactive, non-contrast, visualization adjunct (e.g., methylene blue, isosulfan blue), 1 mg
- Q9969Tc-99m from non-highly enriched uranium source, full cost recovery add-on, per study doseterminated
- Q9970Injection, ferric carboxymaltose, 1mgterminated
- Q9972Injection, epoetin beta, 1 microgram, (for esrd on dialysis)terminated
- Q9974Injection, morphine sulfate, preservative-free for epidural or intrathecal use, 10 mgterminated
- Q9975Injection, factor viii fc fusion protein (recombinant), per iuterminated
- Q9976Injection, ferric pyrophosphate citrate solution, 0.1 mg of ironterminated
- Q9977Compounded drug, not otherwise classifiedterminated
- Q9978Netupitant 300 mg and palonosetron 0.5 mgterminated
- Q9979Injection, alemtuzumab, 1 mgterminated
- Q9980Hyaluronan or derivative, genvisc 850, for intra-articular injection, 1 mgterminated
- Q9981Rolapitant, oral, 1 mgterminated
Questions about Q9973
What is HCPCS code Q9973?
Q9973 is a HCPCS Level II code for injection, epoetin beta, 1 microgram, (non-esrd use). It sits in the Temporary Codes section.
Does Medicare cover Q9973?
The CMS HCPCS file marks Q9973 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 Q9973 still valid?
No. Q9973 was terminated on December 31, 2014 and should not be used on new claims.