SCIG (Hizentra) vs. IVIG — the foundational billing distinction FDA + payer verified May 2026
Same therapeutic class (immune globulin), different molecules in the bottle, very different billing infrastructure.
Immune globulin therapy splits into two delivery routes: intravenous (IVIG — Privigen, Gammagard Liquid, Octagam, Gamunex-C, etc.) and subcutaneous (SCIG — Hizentra, Cuvitru, Cutaquig, Xembify, plus Gamunex-C which is IV+SC dual-approved). They are clinically interchangeable for stable patients with primary immunodeficiency and for CIDP maintenance, but the billing infrastructure differs from the unit basis on up.
| Hizentra (SCIG) | IVIG (Privigen / Gammagard Liquid / Octagam / Gamunex-C) | |
|---|---|---|
| HCPCS | J1559 | J1459 Privigen, J1569 Gammagard Liquid, J1568 Octagam, J1561 Gamunex-C |
| Unit basis | 100 mg = 1 unit | 500 mg = 1 unit |
| Concentration | 20% (200 mg/mL) | 5% or 10% (50 or 100 mg/mL) |
| Route | Subcutaneous, mechanical pump | Intravenous, gravity or pump |
| Admin CPT | 96369 + 96370 + 96371 | 96365 + 96366 |
| Typical session length | 60–120 minutes | 2–4 hours (rate titration required) |
| Frequency | Weekly (or biweekly / daily push) | Every 3–4 weeks |
| Dominant site | Patient home (POS 12) after training | Ambulatory infusion (POS 49) or hospital outpatient (POS 19/22) |
| IgG kinetics | Flat trough (steady-state) | Peaks & troughs (post-infusion peak, pre-next-infusion trough) |
| Side-effect profile | Local site reactions; very rare systemic | Headache, fever, chills (rate-related); rare TRALI / aseptic meningitis / thrombosis |
| Clinical advantages | Lifestyle flexibility, lower systemic AEs, home-friendly | Faster IgG correction, less frequent admin, better for unstable / loading dose |
| Payer steerage (UHC, several BCBS) | Often preferred for stable PI / CIDP | Often required to step through SCIG trial first (chronic stable patients) |
Dosing & unit math FDA label verified May 2026
From the FDA Hizentra prescribing information (BL 125350).
Primary humoral immunodeficiency (PI) — adults & children ≥2 yr
- Conversion from IVIG: initial weekly Hizentra dose = (previous monthly IVIG dose × 1.37) ÷ 4. Initiate ~1 week after the last IVIG dose.
- Maintenance range: typically 100–200 mg/kg per week SC, adjusted to maintain therapeutic IgG trough.
- Frequency options: weekly (most common), biweekly (2× weekly dose every 2 weeks), or daily ("rapid push" small-volume manual SC).
CIDP maintenance — adults
- Recommended weekly dose: 200–400 mg/kg per week SC, divided across 1–7 days per week per patient preference.
- Indication scope: maintenance after IVIG-induced clinical improvement — not for de novo CIDP induction. Document IVIG induction and stabilization in the PA.
- Approval history: Hizentra became the first SCIG with FDA-approved CIDP maintenance indication in March 2018 (PATH study).
Worked example — PI patient on 10 g/week (typical adult ~70 kg, 140 mg/kg)
Drug mg per dose: 10,000 mg (10 g)
Drug units billed (J1559): 100 # 10,000 ÷ 100 mg/unit
HCPCS: J1559 · Modifier: JZ
Vials: 1 × 10 g/50 mL single-dose vial (or 2 × 4 g + 1 × 2 g, etc.)
Admin: 96369 (initial 1 hr, pump set-up + first SC site)
+ 96370 (each additional hour, if infusion runs >60 min)
+ 96371 (additional pump set-up + new SC site, if 2 sites used)
# Year-1 totals (52 weekly infusions)
Total drug units billed: 5,200 (52 × 100)
Total drug cost (Q2 2026 ASP+6%): ~$75,478 before sequestration
Vial size to dose mapping
| Patient size / weekly dose | Vial combination (1 of many) | Total mg | Units billed |
|---|---|---|---|
| ~50 kg / 5 g weekly | 1 × 4 g + 1 × 1 g | 5,000 mg | 50 units |
| ~70 kg / 8 g weekly | 2 × 4 g | 8,000 mg | 80 units |
| ~70 kg / 10 g weekly | 1 × 10 g | 10,000 mg | 100 units |
| ~85 kg / 12 g weekly | 1 × 10 g + 1 × 2 g | 12,000 mg | 120 units |
| CIDP / ~70 kg / 20 g weekly | 2 × 10 g | 20,000 mg | 200 units |
IVIG → SCIG conversion (the 1.37 factor) FDA label verified May 2026
The single most-asked question when transitioning a stable PI patient from IVIG to Hizentra.
SCIG bioavailability and trough kinetics differ from IV. The Hizentra label specifies a conversion coefficient of 1.37 applied to the prior monthly IVIG dose, then divided across the weekly SCIG schedule:
Weekly Hizentra dose (g) = (Previous monthly IVIG dose (g) × 1.37) ÷ 4
# Examples
20 g monthly IVIG → (20 × 1.37) ÷ 4 = 6.85 g weekly → round to 7 g
30 g monthly IVIG → (30 × 1.37) ÷ 4 = 10.275 g weekly → round to 10 g
40 g monthly IVIG → (40 × 1.37) ÷ 4 = 13.7 g weekly → round to 14 g
# Schedule transitions
Initiate Hizentra ~1 week after the last IVIG dose
Biweekly equivalent: 2 × the weekly dose every 2 weeks
Daily push equivalent: weekly dose ÷ 7, infused in small volumes daily
What changes on the claim during conversion
| Element | Before (IVIG) | After (Hizentra) |
|---|---|---|
| HCPCS | J1459 / J1568 / J1569 / J1561 (etc.) | J1559 |
| Unit basis | 500 mg / unit | 100 mg / unit |
| Admin CPT | 96365 (initial) + 96366 (additional hour) | 96369 + 96370 + 96371 |
| Frequency | Every 3–4 weeks | Weekly (or biweekly / daily) |
| Site of care | Often AIC (POS 49) or HOPD (POS 19/22) | Often home (POS 12) after training |
| Authorization | IVIG PA | Submit new PA for SCIG (most payers) |
NDC & vial reference FDA NDC Directory verified May 2026
| NDC (10-digit) | Vial size | Volume | Concentration |
|---|---|---|---|
44206-0451-01 | 1 g | 5 mL | 200 mg/mL (20%) |
44206-0452-02 | 2 g | 10 mL | 200 mg/mL (20%) |
44206-0454-04 | 4 g | 20 mL | 200 mg/mL (20%) |
44206-0455-10 | 10 g | 50 mL | 200 mg/mL (20%) |
44206-0451-01 → 44206-0451-01; CSL labeler
is already 5 digits).
Administration codes (96369 / 96370 / 96371) CPT verified May 2026
SC pump infusion family. The most common Hizentra admin error is using IV codes (96365/96366) or single-shot SC injection (96372).
| Code | Descriptor | When to use for Hizentra |
|---|---|---|
96369 |
Subcutaneous infusion for therapy or prophylaxis (specify substance or drug); initial, up to 1 hour, including pump set-up and establishment of subcutaneous infusion site(s) | Primary code for Hizentra. Bill once per session. Includes pump priming and the first SC site. |
96370 |
Subcutaneous infusion for therapy or prophylaxis (specify substance or drug); each additional hour (list separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | For sessions running >60 minutes (most adult Hizentra infusions). Bill per additional hour (or substantial fraction). |
96371 |
Subcutaneous infusion for therapy or prophylaxis (specify substance or drug); additional pump set-up with establishment of new subcutaneous infusion site(s) (list separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | When a second pump is added or a new SC infusion site is established mid-session (large doses across multiple body sites). Add-on, not standalone. |
96365 / 96366 |
Therapeutic IV infusion (initial / each additional hour) | NOT appropriate for Hizentra. These are IV codes; Hizentra is SC. |
96372 |
Therapeutic SC or IM injection (specify substance or drug) | NOT appropriate for Hizentra. 96372 is a single-shot manual injection (e.g., Cosentyx, Stelara, B12). Hizentra is a pump-driven infusion, even on rapid push. |
Modifiers CMS verified May 2026
JZ — required on every Hizentra claim with no waste
Effective July 1, 2023, CMS requires the JZ modifier on every single-dose container claim when no drug is discarded. All Hizentra vials are single-dose containers. JZ applies on the majority of Hizentra claims when the dose maps cleanly to vial sizes (1 g, 2 g, 4 g, 10 g).
JW — partial-vial waste
JW reports the discarded portion of a single-dose vial. For Hizentra, JW applies whenever the dose does not map cleanly to the available vial sizes. Example: a 6 g weekly dose — 1 × 4 g + 1 × 2 g with no waste = JZ. But if a patient receives 8.5 g and the closest combination is 1 × 10 g (1.5 g discarded) or 2 × 4 g + 1 × 1 g (0.5 g discarded), the discarded mg are reported on a separate JW line. One of JZ or JW must be on every J1559 claim line.
Modifier 25 — same-day E/M
Use modifier 25 on the E/M code when a significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service is performed on the same day as a Hizentra training infusion. Pump training visits routinely justify a modifier-25 E/M.
340B modifiers (JG, TB)
For 340B-acquired Hizentra, follow your MAC's current 340B modifier policy. CSL Behring's billing guide does not provide 340B-specific guidance.
ICD-10-CM by indication FY2026 verified May 2026
Use the most specific code supported by encounter documentation. PI requires IgG-level evidence; CIDP requires neuro evaluation.
| Indication | ICD-10 family | Documentation requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) | D83.0 – D83.9 | IgG < 5 g/L (or LCD-specified threshold), poor vaccine response, recurrent infections |
| Hypogammaglobulinemia (unspecified) | D80.1 | IgG levels, infection history |
| Selective IgG subclass deficiency | D80.3 | Subclass quantification + functional antibody response |
| X-linked agammaglobulinemia (Bruton) | D80.0 | BTK gene confirmation; pediatric onset |
| Selective IgA deficiency | D80.2 | Generally NOT an SCIG indication on its own (asymptomatic IgA deficiency is monitored, not treated) |
| Other immunodeficiency w/ predominantly antibody defects | D80.8 / D80.9 | Documentation of antibody defect + clinical infections |
| Combined immunodeficiency | D81.x | SCID and variants; usually pediatric |
| Immunodeficiency w/ other major defect | D82.x | Wiskott-Aldrich (D82.0), DiGeorge (D82.1), etc. |
| CIDP maintenance | G61.81 | Neuro evaluation, EMG/NCV, IVIG induction documented; first SCIG with FDA-approved CIDP indication (March 2018) |
Site of care & place of service Verified May 2026
Hizentra's site-of-care distribution is the inverse of IVIG: home (POS 12) is dominant, with ambulatory infusion (POS 49) and physician office (POS 11) used during the initial training period or for patients unable to self-infuse. Hospital outpatient (POS 19/22) is rarely justified for routine Hizentra and is the most common site-of-care denial.
| Setting | POS | Claim form | Typical use for Hizentra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patient home (self-infusion) | 12 | CMS-1500 / 837P (medical benefit) or pharmacy claim | Dominant setting after training. 80%+ of stable Hizentra patients. |
| Patient home (RN-administered) | 12 | CMS-1500 / 837P with 99601/99602 nursing visits | Patients who cannot self-infuse; intermittent RN visits |
| Ambulatory infusion suite (AIC) | 49 | CMS-1500 / 837P | Initial training (1–3 sessions); ongoing if patient can't self-infuse |
| Physician office | 11 | CMS-1500 / 837P | Training; same-day E/M with infusion |
| Oncology / specialty clinic | 11 / 49 | CMS-1500 / 837P | For patients managed through immunology / hem-onc clinic infrastructure |
| Hospital outpatient (on-campus) | 22 | UB-04 / 837I | Rarely justified. Common site-of-care denial. |
| Hospital outpatient (off-campus PBD) | 19 | UB-04 / 837I | Rarely justified. Common site-of-care denial. |
Home administration billing CMS Home Infusion Therapy verified May 2026
Hizentra is the canonical home-infused biologic. The medical-benefit vs DME/specialty-pharmacy decision is the largest reimbursement variable.
Two coverage pathways
| Medical benefit (Part B / commercial medical) | Pharmacy / DME benefit | |
|---|---|---|
| Drug bill | J1559 on CMS-1500 / 837P from home-infusion provider | NDC-based pharmacy claim from specialty pharmacy; no J1559 |
| Admin codes | 96369 + 96370 + 96371 when infused with provider involvement | None — patient self-administered; supply only |
| Per-diem services | S9338 (infusion therapy, immune globulin, per-diem) and related S-codes | Bundled into specialty pharmacy supply fee |
| Nursing visits (when applicable) | 99601 (initial home infusion visit, up to 2 hr) / 99602 (each additional hour) | Not billed under pharmacy benefit |
| Pump & supplies | Often bundled into S-code per-diem | Bundled into specialty pharmacy fee or billed under DME |
| Typical payer | Medicare Part B; commercial medical plans w/ home-infusion benefit | Some commercial plans for stable self-administered SCIG; limited Medicare role |
| Patient cost-share | Medical deductible + coinsurance (often 20% pre-Medigap) | Pharmacy copay tier (specialty) |
Medicare Part B SCIG coverage
- Medicare Part B covers Hizentra plus home-infusion services for PI under the SCIG demonstration / Home Infusion Therapy Services benefit (DME MAC jurisdiction historically; transitioning under the 21st Century Cures Act home-infusion framework).
- CIDP home-infusion coverage under Part B is generally accepted when the drug is prescribed and infused per FDA labeling.
- Verify your DME MAC's current Hizentra LCD before submitting (Noridian, CGS, Palmetto, NHIC).
Commercial home-infusion pathway
- Most commercial plans cover Hizentra under the medical benefit with a contracted home-infusion provider (Coram / CVS Health, Option Care Health, Optum Infusion, BriovaRx, etc.).
- Some plans require step therapy through the pharmacy benefit specialty pharmacy first — verify per plan.
- UHC, Aetna, Cigna, and BCBS plans generally pre-authorize the home-infusion provider as part of the Hizentra PA.
Claim form field mapping CSL Behring billing guide 2026
| Information | CMS-1500 box | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NPI | 17b / 24J | Rendering provider (or home-infusion provider's NPI) |
| NDC qualifier + 11-digit NDC + UoM + qty | 24A shaded area | N4 + 11-digit Hizentra NDC + ML + total volume in mL |
| HCPCS J1559 + JZ (or JW for waste) | 24D (drug line) | One of JZ or JW required on every claim |
| Drug units | 24G | mg administered ÷ 100 (e.g., 10,000 mg = 100 units) |
| CPT 96369 (admin line, primary) | 24D (admin line) | Initial up to 1 hr SC infusion + pump set-up + first SC site |
| CPT 96370 (admin line, addl hour) | 24D (additional admin line) | Each additional hour beyond 60 min; list separately |
| CPT 96371 (addl pump set-up) | 24D (additional admin line) | Additional pump or new SC site, list separately |
| S9338 (per-diem home infusion) | 24D (services line) | For home-infusion provider claims (medical benefit) |
| 99601 / 99602 (nursing visits) | 24D | When RN administers (not patient self-infusion) |
| ICD-10 | 21 | D80.x / D81.x / D82.x for PI; G61.81 for CIDP maintenance |
| PA number | 23 | Required by all major payers for SCIG |
Payer LCDs & PA criteria Reviewed May 2026
All major payers PA SCIG. UHC and several BCBS plans actively prefer SCIG over IVIG for stable PI / CIDP.
| Payer | PA? | Key criteria | SCIG-vs-IVIG positioning |
|---|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare SCIG / Immune Globulin medical policy |
Yes | PI: IgG level + vaccine challenge + recurrent infections. CIDP: IVIG induction documented + neuro eval. Training plan + home-infusion provider authorized at PA. | Often SCIG-preferred for stable chronic patients; IVIG may require step through SCIG trial |
| Aetna CPB Immune Globulin |
Yes | Indication-specific criteria mirror UHC; CIDP requires documented IVIG induction. Site-of-care prefers home or AIC for SCIG. | Generally allows clinician choice; some plans steer to SCIG for stable chronic |
| Cigna Coverage Policy 1006 (Immune Globulin) |
Yes | PI / CIDP standard criteria; home-infusion benefit detailed in policy | SCIG and IVIG covered at parity for stable patients |
| BCBS plans Vary by plan |
Yes | Generally aligned with FDA label and major commercial peer policies | Plan-specific; many plans now SCIG-preferred for chronic stable |
| Medicare (Part B) DME MAC SCIG LCD + Home Infusion Therapy Services |
Often (DME) | PI is well-covered; CIDP coverage at home requires medically necessary documentation per Cures Act home-infusion framework | Coverage parity; clinical choice driven by patient/clinician |
PA documentation checklist (PI)
- IgG level (LCD-specific threshold, often < 5 g/L or < 500 mg/dL)
- Specific antibody response to vaccine challenge (pneumococcal polysaccharide, tetanus toxoid)
- Recurrent serious infection history (otitis, sinusitis, pneumonia, etc.) with treatment dates
- Conversion calculation if transitioning from IVIG (1.37 factor)
- Home-infusion training plan + designated provider (commercial)
PA documentation checklist (CIDP maintenance)
- Neurologist evaluation + EMG/NCV consistent with CIDP
- IVIG induction regimen + documented clinical improvement
- Justification for SC maintenance (lifestyle, vascular access, AE profile, etc.)
- Anticipated weekly Hizentra dose (200–400 mg/kg per week range)
Medicare reimbursement CMS Q2 2026 (live)
Quarterly ASP from CMS Part B Drug Pricing File. Refreshes automatically each quarter.
Q2 2026 payment snapshot — J1559
Effective April 1 – June 30, 2026 · 1 unit = 100 mg
Per-gram comparison vs IVIG
- Hizentra (J1559): ~$145/g (Q2 2026)
- Privigen (J1459): typically ~$70–$80/g
- Gammagard Liquid (J1569): typically ~$70–$85/g
- Octagam (J1568): typically ~$60–$75/g
- Gamunex-C (J1561): typically ~$70–$80/g
Hizentra runs roughly 2× the per-gram price of standard IVIG products due to the 20% concentration manufacturing premium and self-administration convenience. Total cost of care comparison favors SCIG once chair time, nursing time, and AE costs are included — which is why payers actively prefer SCIG for stable chronic patients despite the per-gram drug premium.
Coverage
No NCD specific to Hizentra. Coverage falls under MAC LCDs for SCIG (immune globulin subcutaneous) and the Home Infusion Therapy Services benefit. All MACs cover J1559 for FDA-approved on-label indications (PI and CIDP maintenance) with appropriate ICD-10 and clinical documentation.
Patient assistance — CSL Behring AssureSupport CSL verified May 2026
- CSL Behring AssureSupport (Hizentra): 1-877-355-IGIV (1-877-355-4448) — benefits investigation, prior authorization assistance, appeal support, training resources
- Hizentra Co-Pay Assistance Program: commercial copay support for eligible commercially-insured patients (excludes Medicare, Medicaid, federal program patients)
- CSL Behring Patient Assistance Program: free product for uninsured / underinsured patients meeting income requirements
- Independent foundations for Medicare patients: PAN Foundation (immunodeficiency / CIDP funds), HealthWell Foundation, Patient Advocate Foundation — verify open funds quarterly
- IDF (Immune Deficiency Foundation): primaryimmune.org — patient education, advocacy, resources
- GBS|CIDP Foundation: gbs-cidp.org — CIDP patient education and support
- Web: hizentra.com / cslbehring.com
SCIG brand interchangeability Verified May 2026
SCIG products are NOT interchangeable for billing. Each brand has its own HCPCS, NDC, ASP, and concentration. Match the code to the product actually infused.
| HCPCS | Brand | Mfr | Concentration | Stabilizer | Unit basis | FDA-approved indications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
J1559 |
Hizentra | CSL Behring | 20% liquid SC | L-proline | 100 mg | PI (adult + ped ≥2); CIDP maintenance (adult) |
J1555 |
Cuvitru | Takeda | 20% liquid SC | Glycine | 100 mg | PI (adult + ped ≥2) |
J1551 |
Cutaquig | Octapharma | 16.5% liquid SC | Maltose | 100 mg | PI (adult + ped ≥2) |
J1558 |
Xembify | Grifols | 20% liquid SC | Glycine | 100 mg | PI (adult + ped ≥2) |
J1575 |
HyQvia | Takeda | 10% IG + recombinant hyaluronidase | Glycine | 100 mg IG (per HCPCS) | PI; CIDP maintenance (adult, 2024) — facilitated SC, monthly dosing possible |
J1561 |
Gamunex-C | Grifols | 10% liquid (IV or SC use) | Glycine | 500 mg (IV basis applies even when given SC) | PI (IV/SC), ITP (IV), CIDP (IV) |
| IVIG companion class (500 mg unit basis, IV admin codes 96365/96366): | ||||||
J1459 |
Privigen | CSL Behring | 10% liquid IV | L-proline | 500 mg | PI, ITP, CIDP |
J1569 |
Gammagard Liquid | Takeda | 10% liquid IV | Glycine | 500 mg | PI, MMN |
J1568 |
Octagam (5% & 10%) | Octapharma | 5% / 10% liquid IV | Maltose | 500 mg | PI; chronic ITP; dermatomyositis (10%) |
- Wrong code, right route: billing J1559 (Hizentra) for a patient who actually received Cuvitru (J1555) or Xembify (J1558) is a denial trigger and a compliance issue. ASP differences create a $/unit delta auditors will catch.
- Wrong unit basis when crossing routes: applying the IVIG 500 mg/unit basis to a SCIG product (or vice versa) under-reports or over-reports the dose by 5×. The most common crossover error is on Gamunex-C (J1561) when given SC — it still uses the 500 mg/unit basis because the HCPCS is the IV code.
- Right code, payer-mandated different brand: some payers contract preferentially with specific SCIG brands. UHC may steer to Hizentra on one PA while Aetna may require Xembify or Cuvitru on the next. Verify the payer's preferred SCIG brand on every PA; do not assume continuity across payers.
When clinical brand justification is needed
- Diabetes / renal: avoid maltose-stabilized SCIG (Cutaquig) due to interference with some glucose monitors and renal precautions; Hizentra (proline) and Cuvitru/Xembify (glycine) preferred.
- Hyperprolinemia: avoid proline-stabilized products (Hizentra, Privigen); prefer glycine (Cuvitru, Xembify, Gammagard Liquid) or maltose (Cutaquig).
- Tolerability history: if the patient had local site reactions on one SCIG brand, switching to another stabilizer/concentration combination is a common clinical strategy — document the rationale.
- Monthly dosing preference: consider HyQvia (J1575) which uses recombinant hyaluronidase to enable larger-volume monthly SC infusions vs the weekly Hizentra schedule.
Common denials & how to fix them
| Denial reason | Common cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Unit math wrong (under by 5x) | IVIG 500 mg/unit basis applied to J1559 | Recalculate: J1559 = 100 mg/unit. 10 g = 100 units. Resubmit corrected. |
| Unit math wrong (over by 100x) | 1 mg/unit (per-mg) basis applied; 10,000 units submitted for 10 g | Recalculate: J1559 = 100 mg/unit. 10 g = 100 units. Resubmit corrected. |
| Wrong admin code (96365) | IV therapeutic code billed instead of SC pump infusion | Resubmit with 96369 (initial) + 96370 (each addl hour) + 96371 (addl pump set-up if used). |
| Wrong admin code (96372) | Single-shot SC injection code billed instead of pump infusion | Resubmit with 96369 + 96370 + 96371. 96372 is for one-time SC injections (Cosentyx, Stelara, B12), not pump-driven SCIG. |
| JZ/JW missing | Single-dose container claim without modifier | Resubmit with JZ if no waste, JW with discarded units if partial vial. |
| PI dx without IgG documentation | D80.x submitted without IgG level, vaccine challenge, or infection history | Submit complete LCD-required documentation and request retroactive PA. |
| CIDP without IVIG induction documented | G61.81 submitted with no IVIG induction history | Hizentra CIDP is for maintenance after IVIG-induced improvement. Submit IVIG induction regimen + clinical response documentation. |
| Site of care (HOPD) | Hizentra billed from POS 19/22 outside of training period | Move to home (POS 12), AIC (POS 49), or office (POS 11). Document medical necessity if HOPD truly required. |
| Per-diem without drug or vice versa | S9338 billed without J1559 (or J1559 without S-code on home claim) | Both lines required on home-infusion claims. Resubmit complete claim. |
| SCIG not preferred brand | Hizentra billed when payer requires Xembify / Cuvitru / Cutaquig | Verify formulary; switch product or submit non-formulary exception with clinical justification. |
| No new PA at IVIG → SCIG conversion | Old IVIG PA used for new Hizentra claim | Submit fresh PA with conversion calculation, training plan, and home-infusion provider designation. |
Frequently asked questions
What is the HCPCS code for Hizentra and what is the unit basis?
Hizentra is billed under HCPCS J1559 — "Injection, immune globulin (Hizentra),
100 mg." Each 100 mg of IgG equals one billable unit. This is NOT the IVIG 500 mg/unit basis
used by J1459, J1568, J1569, J1561, etc., and it is NOT a per-mg basis. A 10 g (10,000 mg) weekly dose
bills as 100 units of J1559.
What administration CPT codes do I use for Hizentra?
Use 96369 (subcutaneous infusion, initial up to 1 hr, including pump set-up and first SC
site) for the primary code, plus 96370 (each additional hour) for sessions running >60 min,
and 96371 (additional pump set-up + new SC site) when a second pump or site is initiated.
Do NOT bill 96365/96366 (those are IV) and do NOT
bill 96372 (that is a single-shot SC injection, not a pump infusion).
How does Hizentra differ from IVIG products like Privigen, Gammagard Liquid, or Octagam?
Hizentra is subcutaneous — pump-infused under the skin over 60–120 min, typically weekly, overwhelmingly self-administered at home. IVIG products go intravenously over 2–4 hours every 3–4 weeks. Billing differs entirely: 100 mg/unit vs 500 mg/unit, SC pump admin codes vs IV admin codes, home-dominant POS vs ambulatory/HOPD POS. UHC and several BCBS plans actively prefer SCIG over IVIG for stable chronic patients. See the SCIG vs IVIG comparison.
How do I convert a monthly IVIG dose to a weekly Hizentra dose?
Per the FDA Hizentra label: weekly Hizentra dose = (previous monthly IVIG dose × 1.37) ÷ 4. The 1.37 factor accounts for differences in bioavailability and trough kinetics between IV and SC routes. Example: 30 g IVIG monthly converts to (30 × 1.37) ÷ 4 = 10.275 g weekly Hizentra, rounded to 10 g per week. Initiate Hizentra ~1 week after the last IVIG dose. See the conversion section.
What is the Medicare reimbursement for J1559?
For Q2 2026, the Medicare Part B payment limit for J1559 is $14.515 per 100 mg unit (ASP + 6%), or roughly $145 per gram. A 10 g weekly dose bills as 100 units and reimburses at $1,451.50 per infusion. Annualized at 52 weekly infusions: ~$75,478/year for a 10 g/week patient. Sequestration (~2%) reduces actual paid to roughly ASP + 4.3%.
Is Hizentra billed as a medical benefit or a pharmacy/DME benefit when self-administered at home?
Both pathways exist. Medical benefit (Part B / commercial medical): bill J1559 + 96369/96370/96371 + S9338 per-diem from the home-infusion provider on a CMS-1500/837P. Pharmacy/specialty: NDC-based pharmacy claim with no J1559 line. Medicare Part B typically covers Hizentra plus home-infusion services for PI under the SCIG demonstration / Home Infusion Therapy Services benefit. Verify per payer — UHC, Aetna, BCBS, and Medicare DME MACs all have product-specific home-infusion policies. See home administration billing.
What ICD-10 codes support Hizentra coverage?
For PI: D80.x (immunodeficiency w/ predominantly antibody defects, e.g., D80.0 X-linked, D80.1 hypogamma, D80.3 IgG subclass, D83.x CVID family), D81.x (combined immunodeficiencies), D82.x (immunodeficiency with other major defects). For CIDP maintenance: G61.81. CIDP requires documented IVIG induction prior to SC maintenance per FDA label.
What other SCIG products compete with Hizentra and how do they bill differently?
Cuvitru (Takeda, J1555, 20% glycine), Cutaquig (Octapharma, J1551, 16.5% maltose), Xembify (Grifols, J1558, 20% glycine), and HyQvia (Takeda, J1575, 10% IG + hyaluronidase — enables monthly dosing). Gamunex-C (Grifols, J1561) is approved for both IV and SC use; when given SC it still bills under J1561 with the 500 mg/unit basis (because the HCPCS is the IV code). See the SCIG brand matrix.
Source documents
- FDA — Hizentra (Immune Globulin Subcutaneous, Human, 20% Liquid)
- CSL Behring — Hizentra Prescribing Information (FDA label)
- Hizentra HCP & patient site — CSL Behring
- CMS — Medicare Part B Drug ASP Pricing File
- CMS — Home Infusion Therapy Services (21st Century Cures Act framework)
- Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF)
- GBS|CIDP Foundation International
- AAAAI — Use of Human Immunoglobulin Practice Parameter
- UnitedHealthcare — Immune Globulin / SCIG Medical Policy
- Aetna — CPB Immune Globulin
- Cigna — Coverage Policy 1006 (Immune Globulin)
- FDA National Drug Code Directory (Hizentra NDCs)
About this page
We maintain this page as a living reference. Medicare ASP pricing is bound to our underlying CareCost data layer and refreshes automatically when CMS publishes new quarterly files. Coding and policy content is reviewed at least quarterly and updated whenever a source document changes.
Found an error? Email hello@carecostestimate.com.
Refresh cadence
| Element | Cadence | How it's refreshed |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare ASP pricing | Quarterly | Auto-bound to CareCost ASP layer; updates on CMS file release. |
| Payer policies (UHC, Aetna, Cigna, BCBS) | Semi-annual | Manual review against published payer immune globulin / SCIG medical policies. |
| HCPCS / CPT / modifier rules | Annual | Reviewed against CMS HCPCS quarterly files and AMA CPT releases. |
| NDC, dosing, FDA label, indication | Event-driven | Tied to CSL Behring document version + FDA label revision date. |
| SCIG brand matrix | Semi-annual | Reviewed against current FDA-approved SCIG product list and HCPCS file. |
Reviewer
Change log
- — Initial publication. ASP data: Q2 2026. Manufacturer source: CSL Behring 2026. FDA label: PI March 2010, CIDP maintenance March 2018. Cross-referenced with Privigen, Gammagard Liquid, Octagam (IVIG companions) and Cuvitru, Cutaquig, Xembify, HyQvia (SCIG companions).
Methodology
Every claim on this page is sourced inline. Pricing reflects the current CMS Part B Drug ASP Pricing File. Payer policies are read directly from each payer's published medical policy documents. Indication, dosing, and conversion math are verified against the current FDA Hizentra label. We do not paraphrase from billing-software vendor blogs.