HCPCS Level II drug code
J0881 — Injection, darbepoetin alfa, 1 microgram (non-esrd use)
In short
J0881 is the HCPCS Level II code for injection, darbepoetin alfa, 1 microgram (non-esrd use). CMS assigns NDCs for Aranesp to it. One billing unit is 1 microgram (non-esrd use). The Medicare Part B payment limit is $3.081 per unit (October 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026).
Code
CMS HCPCS file- Descriptor
- Injection, darbepoetin alfa, 1 microgram (non-esrd use)
- Short descriptor
- Darbepoetin alfa, non-esrd
- Code set
- HCPCS Level II, maintained by CMS
- Effective
- Jan 1, 2006
The billing unit is read from the descriptor. Confirm it against the CMS file before billing.
Medicare Part B payment limit
CMS ASP fileEffective October 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026. Payment allowance limits subject to the ASP methodology are based on 2Q26 ASP data. A payment limit is not a coverage decision; the Medicare contractor decides coverage. CMS ASP pricing files
Units and claim line
Enter the dose to get the units and the NDC line for the CMS-1500 and the 837P.
Enter the units to build the claim line.
NDCs billed under J0881
CMS’s ASP NDC–HCPCS crosswalk (effective October 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026) assigns 14 NDCs to J0881 for Aranesp. Billing units per package are CMS’s figures for this code’s unit.
| Drug | NDC (11-digit) | Labeler | Package | Billing units per package |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aranesp | 55513-0002-04 | Amgen Inc | 4 × 1 | 100 |
| Aranesp | 55513-0003-04 | Amgen Inc | 4 × 1 | 160 |
| Aranesp | 55513-0004-04 | Amgen Inc | 4 × 1 | 240 |
| Aranesp | 55513-0005-04 | Amgen Inc | 4 × 1 | 400 |
| Aranesp | 55513-0006-01 | Amgen Inc | 1 | 200 |
| Aranesp | 55513-0021-04 | Amgen Inc | 4 × 0.4 | 160 |
| Aranesp | 55513-0023-04 | Amgen Inc | 4 × 0.3 | 240 |
| Aranesp | 55513-0025-04 | Amgen Inc | 4 × 0.5 | 400 |
| Aranesp | 55513-0027-04 | Amgen Inc | 4 × 0.3 | 600 |
| Aranesp | 55513-0028-01 | Amgen Inc | 0.4 | 200 |
| Aranesp | 55513-0032-01 | Amgen Inc | 1 | 500 |
| Aranesp | 55513-0057-04 | Amgen Inc | 4 × 0.42 | 100 |
| Aranesp | 55513-0098-04 | Amgen Inc | 4 × 0.4 | 40 |
| Aranesp | 55513-0111-01 | Amgen Inc | 0.6 | 300 |
J0881: common questions
- Is J0881 a CPT code?
- No. J0881 is a HCPCS Level II code, maintained by CMS, that identifies the drug supplied. CPT codes are five-digit numbers from the AMA that describe services. Giving the drug, for example an injection or infusion, is usually reported with a separate CPT administration code. CPT codes for drug administration.
- What NDCs are billed under J0881?
- CMS's ASP crosswalk for October 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026 lists 14 NDCs under J0881, for Aranesp. The table on this page shows each one with its billing units per package.
- What is the Medicare payment limit for J0881?
- $3.081 per 1 mcg, effective October 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026, from CMS's Part B drug payment limit file. Multiply by the units billed for the allowed amount before deductible and coinsurance. It is not a coverage decision.
- What is one billing unit of J0881?
- One unit of J0881 is 1 microgram (non-esrd use), as stated in the code's descriptor. Units to report = dose given ÷ 1 microgram (non-esrd use). J-code billing units.