CommercialBilling CodesMedium impact
11.08.25p, Scar Revision
Independence Blue Cross·Dermatology, Plastic Surgery, General Surgery +1 more·Medical Policy
Effective date
Oct 1, 2026
We identified it
Oct 13, 2026
Summary
Independence Blue Cross updated HCPCS coding for scar revision treatment effective 2026-10-01. Code J9190 (fluorouracil 500 mg) was deleted and replaced with two new codes: J9191 (fluorouracil avyxa, 10 mg) and J9192 (fluorouracil, 10 mg). Additionally, the narrative description for J3300 was revised to specify the brand name (triesence) for triamcinolone acetonide. These changes affect intralesional injection coding for keloidal and hypertrophic scar treatment.
Action Required
Previously due 2026-10-01 (date passed; verify current applicability) (already effective as of analysis date 2026-10-13): Billing team must update claim submission and billing system coding tables to reflect HCPCS code changes. Specifically: (1) Remove J9190 from all scar revision treatment protocols and billing templates; (2) Add J9191 and J9192 as valid codes for intralesional fluorouracil injections in keloidal and hypertrophic scar cases; (3) Update code descriptions and narratives in billing software to reflect J3300 as 'Injection, triamcinolone acetonide (triesence), preservative free, 1 mg' rather than the prior generic description. Verify current applicability with your claims processor and confirm whether the practice has already implemented these code changes. Claims submitted with deleted code J9190 after the effective date will be rejected or require manual correction.