Q9988 — Platelets, pheresis, pathogen-reduced, each unit
Q9988 is a HCPCS Level II code for platelets, pheresis, pathogen-reduced, each unit. It belongs to the Temporary Codes section. It was terminated on December 31, 2017 and is not valid on new claims.
This code has been terminated
CMS terminated Q9988 on December 31, 2017. 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 Q9988
- Long descriptor
- Platelets, pheresis, pathogen-reduced, each unit
- Short descriptor
- Platelets, pathogen reduced
- Added
- July 1, 2017
- Terminated
- December 31, 2017
- BETOS
- T1H
- Pricing indicator
- 52 — 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.
Reasonable charge.
Codes adjacent to Q9988
HCPCS has no hierarchy — related items simply sit next to each other in the numbering. If Q9988 is not quite right, the correct code is very often within a few positions of it.
- Q9980Hyaluronan or derivative, genvisc 850, for intra-articular injection, 1 mgterminated
- Q9981Rolapitant, oral, 1 mgterminated
- Q9982Flutemetamol f18, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 5 millicuries
- Q9983Florbetaben f18, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 8.1 millicuries
- 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
- 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
- Q9993Injection, triamcinolone acetonide, preservative-free, extended-release, microsphere formulation, 1 mgterminated
- 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
Questions about Q9988
What is HCPCS code Q9988?
Q9988 is a HCPCS Level II code for platelets, pheresis, pathogen-reduced, each unit. It sits in the Temporary Codes section.
Does Medicare cover Q9988?
The CMS HCPCS file marks Q9988 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 Q9988 still valid?
No. Q9988 was terminated on December 31, 2017 and should not be used on new claims.