{"id":180978,"date":"2026-08-17T07:53:03","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T07:53:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/?p=180978"},"modified":"2026-08-17T08:44:28","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T08:44:28","slug":"hcpcs-code-s0177","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/nl\/procedure-codes\/hcpcs-code-s0177\/","title":{"rendered":"HCPCS code S0177: Levamisole 50 mg billing, coverage and fee schedule"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"MedicalWebPage\",\"headline\":\"HCPCS code S0177: Levamisole 50 mg billing, coverage and fee schedule\",\"description\":\"Complete reference for HCPCS code S0177 (Levamisole hydrochloride, oral, 50 mg): code description, Medicare and Medicaid coverage, fee schedule, billing guidelines, modifiers, and related S-codes.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/procedure-codes\/hcpcs-code-s0177\/\",\"audience\":{\"@type\":\"MedicalAudience\",\"audienceType\":\"Clinician\"},\"reviewedBy\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Dr Vanja Kitanova\",\"jobTitle\":\"Medical Reviewer\",\"affiliation\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"Pabau\"},\"knowsAbout\":[\"Medical Coding\",\"Clinical Documentation\",\"Healthcare Billing\",\"Clinical Safety\"],\"sameAs\":\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/blog\/author\/vanja\/\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-08-17\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-08-17\"}<\/script>\n\n\n        <div id=\"key_takeaways\">\n            <div class=\"header\">\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Key-Takeaways-Icon.svg\" alt=\"Key takeaways\" height=\"42\" width=\"42\">\n                                <h3>Key takeaways<\/h3>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"list\">\n                                                            <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#3D3D46\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p>HCPCS code S0177 describes levamisole hydrochloride, oral, 50 mg, an anthelmintic with immunomodulatory activity. One unit of service is one 50 mg oral dose.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#3D3D46\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p>S0177 is an HCPCS Level II S-code approved by the HCPCS National Panel. Traditional Medicare fee-for-service does not cover it, so Medicaid and commercial payers are its only realistic users.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#3D3D46\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p>The JW and JZ drug-waste modifiers do not apply to S0177, because CMS wrote that policy for single-dose vials and single-use packages of injectable drugs.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#3D3D46\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p>Ergamisol, the US human brand of levamisole, was withdrawn in 2000. A current S0177 claim usually turns out to be a mis-keyed S0176 or S0178.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#3D3D46\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p>Practice management software like Pabau helps specialty practices track units of service and reduce denials on HCPCS drug codes.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    \n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">HCPCS code S0177 is an HCPCS Level II billing code with the official descriptor <strong>Levamisole hydrochloride, oral, 50 mg.<\/strong> It sits in the S-series (S0100 to S9999), the temporary codes used by Medicaid programs and commercial payers. One unit of service is one 50 mg oral dose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">S-codes are approved by the HCPCS National Panel rather than by one agency alone. The panel brings together the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, and America&#8217;s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). It adds or changes a code only by unanimous consent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ergamisol, the levamisole brand approved for human use in the United States, was withdrawn in 2000. The code still appears in HCPCS references, so a US claim carrying it today usually points to a coding error rather than a dispense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:separate;border-spacing:0;border-radius:12px;overflow:hidden;font-size:15px;line-height:1.5;margin:1.5em 0 2em;box-shadow:0 2px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.08)\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Field<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Details<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">HCPCS code<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">S0177<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Short descriptor<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Levamisole 50 mg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Long descriptor<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Levamisole hydrochloride, oral, 50 mg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Brand name<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Ergamisol (withdrawn from the US market in 2000)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Drug class<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Anthelmintic with immunomodulatory activity<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Route of administration<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Oral (tablet)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Code series<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">HCPCS Level II S-codes (S0100-S9999)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Approving body<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">HCPCS National Panel: CMS, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, and AHIP, acting by unanimous consent<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Unit of service<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Per 50 mg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Medicare FFS coverage<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Generally not covered<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Primary payers<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Medicaid (state plans), commercial payers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-what-drug-does-s0177-represent\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What drug does S0177 represent?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Levamisole hydrochloride is an oral anthelmintic that also acts as an immunomodulator. Against parasites, it overstimulates nicotinic receptors in nematode muscle and paralyzes the worm. In people, researchers found that it restored depressed T-cell function, which is what drew oncologists to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The FDA approved levamisole in 1990 as an adjuvant to fluorouracil (5-FU) after surgical resection of Dukes&#8217; stage C colon cancer. That pairing anchored adjuvant colon cancer therapy for much of the 1990s. Later regimens replaced levamisole with leucovorin, and the US brand was withdrawn in 2000 after reports of agranulocytosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Levamisole is still prescribed outside the United States and still used in veterinary medicine. No human product is marketed here, so S0177 describes a drug your practice is very unlikely to supply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The HCPCS Level II system gives named oral drugs their own codes, like S0177. The alternative is a miscellaneous code such as J8499 or J8999. A dedicated code makes claim submission cleaner, because the payer knows which drug and strength was supplied without extra documentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Drug class:<\/strong> Anthelmintic (imidazothiazole) with immunomodulatory activity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mechanism:<\/strong> Nicotinic receptor agonism in parasites, plus restoration of T-cell function in humans<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Historical clinical context:<\/strong> Adjuvant colon cancer therapy alongside 5-FU, plus treatment of worm infections<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Route:<\/strong> Oral tablet, not injection or infusion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Billing unit:<\/strong> Per 50 mg supplied<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>US market status:<\/strong> Ergamisol withdrawn in 2000, with no human product marketed today<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Important:<\/strong> HCPCS code S0177 describes the drug for billing purposes only. This article does not constitute clinical guidance on levamisole dosing or patient selection. Always follow current clinical protocols and consult prescribing references for treatment decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-hcpcs-level-ii-s-codes-where-s0177-fits\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">HCPCS Level II S-codes: Where S0177 fits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cms.gov\/medicare\/coding-billing\/healthcare-common-procedure-system\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">HCPCS Level II coding system<\/a> is divided into code series identified by a leading letter. The S-series covers temporary codes for drugs, supplies, and services that CPT codes do not capture. These items also have no permanent HCPCS code in another series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Key characteristics of S-codes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Approved by the HCPCS National Panel<\/strong>: CMS, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, and AHIP must all agree before a code changes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Updated on a quarterly cycle<\/strong>: codes can be added, revised, or deleted between updates, so verify current status before billing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Not recognized by traditional Medicare fee-for-service<\/strong>: submitting an S-code on a Medicare FFS claim will result in rejection or denial<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Used primarily by Medicaid and commercial payers<\/strong>, each of which may independently decide whether to cover a given S-code<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Within the S0100 to S0199 range, the oral drug codes run in alphabetical order by drug name. S0177 sits between S0176 (hydroxyurea, oral, 500 mg) and S0178 (lomustine, oral, 10 mg). Every code in that run describes a tablet or capsule the practice supplies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The T-series works the same way for state Medicaid agencies. A code such as <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/procedure-codes\/hcpcs-code-t2019\/\">T2019<\/a> is billable to Medicaid but never to Medicare fee-for-service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-medicare-coverage-for-hcpcs-code-s0177\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Medicare coverage for HCPCS code S0177<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Traditional <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/blog\/medicare-billing\/\">Medicare fee-for-service<\/a> does not cover HCPCS code S0177 or any other S-code. CMS policy excludes S-codes from Medicare FFS reimbursement. Submitting S0177 on a CMS-1500 claim for a Medicare FFS beneficiary will result in claim denial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A second exclusion sits behind the first. Part B does not pay for most self-administered oral drugs. It carves out a narrow exception for oral anticancer drugs that share an active ingredient with an injectable form. Levamisole never had a human injectable form here, so that exception does not reach it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are a separate question. Private insurers run them and set their own formularies and coverage policies. Oral drugs usually route to the plan&#8217;s pharmacy benefit rather than a medical claim, so verify before assuming S0177 is billable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:separate;border-spacing:0;border-radius:12px;overflow:hidden;font-size:15px;line-height:1.5;margin:1.5em 0 2em;box-shadow:0 2px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.08)\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Payer type<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Coverage status<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Action required<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Medicare FFS (Parts A and B)<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Not covered<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Do not submit; S-codes and self-administered oral drugs are both excluded<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Medicare Advantage (Part C)<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Varies by plan<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Verify with the plan; oral drugs usually sit in the pharmacy benefit<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Medicare Part D<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Not billed with an S-code<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Part D claims carry an NDC on a pharmacy claim, not a HCPCS code<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Medicaid (state plans)<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Varies by state; may cover<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Check state Medicaid fee schedule and prior authorization rules<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Commercial \/ private payers<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Varies by plan<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Confirm coverage and obtain prior authorization if required<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-medicaid-and-commercial-payer-billing-for-s0177\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Medicaid and commercial payer billing for S0177<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Medicaid is the primary government payer that uses HCPCS S-codes, and coverage is not uniform. Each state Medicaid program sets its own fee schedule and coverage policies. A code covered in one state may be excluded in another, so check the state agency&#8217;s published fee schedule before billing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oral drugs raise a routing question that injectables do not. Most oral prescriptions reach the payer as a pharmacy claim carrying a National Drug Code (NDC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An S-code like S0177 belongs on a medical claim, and only when the practice itself supplied the tablets. Send it down the wrong benefit and the claim denies as non-covered or duplicate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prior authorization is common for drugs billed under HCPCS Level II codes. Medicaid managed care plans and commercial payers frequently require an authorization number on the claim before they will process it. Submitting without an approved authorization is a leading denial reason on specialty drug codes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dispensing records fall under <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/blog\/hipaa-compliance-for-medical-offices\/\">HIPAA documentation rules<\/a> whatever the payer. Keeping them complete is a compliance obligation as much as a billing one, and it protects the practice during an audit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-s0177-fee-schedule-and-reimbursement-rates\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">S0177 fee schedule and reimbursement rates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because S0177 is an S-code excluded from Medicare FFS, CMS publishes no national physician fee schedule rate for it. Drug codes Medicare does recognize, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/procedure-codes\/hcpcs-code-j1950\/\">J1950<\/a>, carry a published payment limit. S0177 has none, so reimbursement depends entirely on the payer&#8217;s own fee schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">State Medicaid programs that list the code express the rate per 50 mg unit of service. Commercial payers negotiate rates individually or set them against average wholesale price (AWP) benchmarks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Levamisole&#8217;s market status complicates that last point. With no human product marketed in the United States, there is no current AWP to price against. Any figure you find in an older pricing file is decades out of date and should not be quoted to a patient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Medicare FFS rate:<\/strong> None, because the code is not recognized<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Medicaid rate:<\/strong> State-specific, so check your state&#8217;s drug fee schedule<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Commercial rate:<\/strong> Negotiated or AWP-based, so confirm with the payer contract or remittance history<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Unit of service:<\/strong> Rate applies per 50 mg supplied<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cross-check the descriptor and current status against the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cms.gov\/medicare\/coding-billing\/healthcare-common-procedure-system\/quarterly-update\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">CMS quarterly HCPCS update<\/a> before you bill. Never state a dollar figure as a definitive reimbursement amount without confirming it against the current payer fee schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-how-to-bill-hcpcs-code-s0177-claim-form-units-and-documentation\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to bill HCPCS code S0177: Claim form, units, and documentation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Billing HCPCS code S0177 correctly requires attention to claim form placement, units, NDC reporting, and documentation. Each of these elements must align for the claim to process cleanly. Practices using <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/features\/claims-management-software\/\">claims management software<\/a> can configure drug code rules to flag missing data before submission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pabau.com\/cdn\/attachments\/pulse\/content-engine\/billing_codes\/hcpcs-code-s0177\/automate-claims-through-healthcode.webp\" alt=\"Pabau checkout screen alongside a completed payer invoice\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Pabau builds the payer invoice from the itemized line, so the code, the quantity, and the amount stay together.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35px;width:800px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Claim form placement:<\/strong> Report S0177 in Box 24D of the CMS-1500 form. Each date of service requires its own line.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Units of service:<\/strong> Enter the total number of 50 mg units supplied. Three 50 mg tablets supplied on one date is 3 units.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>NDC reporting:<\/strong> Many state Medicaid programs require the 11-digit NDC and the dispensed quantity in the shaded area of Box 24.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Diagnosis code:<\/strong> Link an ICD-10-CM code that supports medical necessity. Historically that meant the resected colon cancer. For anthelmintic use it is the documented parasitic infection.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Prior authorization:<\/strong> If required by the payer, enter the authorization number in Box 23 of the CMS-1500.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Documentation:<\/strong> Retain the prescription and dispensing record showing date, drug name, strength, quantity supplied, and prescriber. For an oral drug, that record is the audit trail.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-which-modifiers-apply-to-s0177\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which modifiers apply to S0177<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Modifier expectations for S0177 differ from the injectable drug codes coders often work alongside. The JW and JZ drug-waste pair does not apply here. CMS wrote that policy for amounts discarded from single-dose vials and single-use packages. That matters to an <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/industry\/iv-therapy-emr-software\/\">IV therapy practice<\/a>, but a tablet has no vial to discard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That leaves payer-specific modifiers. Check the plan&#8217;s published policy before appending any of them, because S-code rules vary widely from one payer to the next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:separate;border-spacing:0;border-radius:12px;overflow:hidden;font-size:15px;line-height:1.5;margin:1.5em 0 2em;box-shadow:0 2px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.08)\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Modifier<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Meaning<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">How it applies to S0177<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">JW<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Drug amount discarded or not administered<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Not applicable; the policy covers single-dose vials and single-use packages of injectable drugs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">JZ<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Zero drug waste; nothing discarded<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Not applicable for the same reason; an oral tablet generates no vial waste<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">KX<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Requirements in the payer&#8217;s medical policy have been met<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Some plans require it to confirm coverage criteria are documented; check the policy first<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">GA<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Waiver of liability notice on file<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Use when you expect a denial and hold the patient&#8217;s signed notice<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aapc.com\/codes\/hcpcs-codes-range\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">AAPC HCPCS code lookup<\/a> lists coding tips and payer notes that help confirm modifier requirements payer by payer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/blog\/medical-forms-at-your-healthcare-practice\/\">medical forms<\/a> have to capture strength, quantity, and date at the point of dispensing. Without that, you cannot defend the units on the claim.<\/p>\n\n\n        <div id=\"pro_tip\">\n            <div class=\"img\">\n                <svg width=\"42\" height=\"42\" viewBox=\"0 0 42 42\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\"\n                        d=\"M12.6383 19.5238C12.6632 21.2071 12.8734 22.9926 12.0685 24.5523C11.0341 26.8917 8.45076 28.169 7.56292 30.5918C6.63082 33.1061 7.19505 36.185 9.31371 37.9786C10.929 39.5678 13.4183 39.9873 15.6061 39.5463C17.4592 39.073 19.1049 37.8388 19.9706 36.1608C20.781 34.7141 20.7866 32.9904 20.5293 31.3985C20.1006 29.3092 18.3775 27.8705 16.9807 26.362C14.8814 24.1005 14.6684 20.6854 15.595 17.8915C16.4331 15.4768 19.0026 14.2344 20.0425 11.9461C20.7202 10.6769 20.7506 9.20327 20.6068 7.81304C20.1864 5.40098 18.3139 3.23631 15.8716 2.56674C13.9742 2.03969 11.8224 2.30052 10.1739 3.37614C8.70522 4.34688 7.5878 5.86618 7.28356 7.58178C6.76081 9.82981 7.53525 12.2822 9.20307 13.9118C10.7658 15.4741 12.4806 17.2273 12.6383 19.5238Z\"\n                        fill=\"#2BADD4\" \/>\n                    <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\"\n                        d=\"M22.7048 19.8387C22.6822 22.3279 24.4507 24.6234 26.7493 25.4682C28.0531 25.961 29.4725 25.9183 30.7989 25.5487C32.0575 24.9955 33.301 24.2237 34.0069 23.0092C34.8384 21.5811 35.2982 19.8286 34.7832 18.2094C34.3611 16.2507 32.8739 14.6541 31.0275 13.9426C28.6736 12.9595 25.8073 13.7942 24.1719 15.7001C23.2022 16.8366 22.6143 18.3326 22.7048 19.8387Z\"\n                        fill=\"#2BADD4\" \/>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"text\">\n                <h3>Pro Tip<\/h3>\n                <p>Before submitting S0177, confirm the drug dispensed was levamisole. The code sits one digit away from S0176 (hydroxyurea, oral, 500 mg) and S0178 (lomustine, oral, 10 mg). No human levamisole product has been marketed in the US since 2000. A quarterly audit of S0177 lines usually surfaces a mis-keyed neighbor rather than a genuine dispense.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    \n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-related-hcpcs-codes-to-s0177\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related HCPCS codes to S0177<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The S0175 to S0179 block is an alphabetical run of oral drug codes. Knowing the neighbors prevents miscoding when a practice supplies tablets from more than one of them. The table below covers the codes immediately surrounding HCPCS code S0177.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:separate;border-spacing:0;border-radius:12px;overflow:hidden;font-size:15px;line-height:1.5;margin:1.5em 0 2em;box-shadow:0 2px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.08)\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">HCPCS code<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Drug name<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Dosage unit<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Drug class<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S0175<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Flutamide, oral<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">125 mg<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Nonsteroidal antiandrogen<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S0176<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Hydroxyurea, oral<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">500 mg<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Antineoplastic (ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S0177<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Levamisole hydrochloride, oral<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">50 mg<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Anthelmintic and immunomodulator<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S0178<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Lomustine, oral<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">10 mg<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Antineoplastic (nitrosourea alkylating agent)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S0179<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Megestrol acetate, oral<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">20 mg<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Progestin<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every code in this run is oral, so the route recorded in the chart will not tell you which one to pick. Confirm the drug name and strength against the dispensing record each time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Injectable drugs sit in the J-series instead, where a code such as <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/procedure-codes\/hcpcs-code-j0881\/\">J0881<\/a> carries its own unit and waste rules. A short cheat sheet of the drugs you supply removes most of these errors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-how-practice-management-software-simplifies-hcpcs-drug-billing\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How practice management software simplifies HCPCS drug billing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Practices that supply drugs in-house hit the same workflow problem, from oncology groups to <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/industry\/functional-medicine-software\/\">functional medicine practices<\/a>. One drug may be billed at different rates, with different data requirements, to different payers. Managing those rules by hand in a spreadsheet invites errors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Practice management software like Pabau centralizes those rules and enforces them when the claim is generated. Capabilities that cut S-code billing errors include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Pre-configured code rules:<\/strong> Set unit-of-service defaults for specific drug codes, so billing staff enter units accurately every time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Payer rule prompts:<\/strong> Flag drug claims missing an NDC, a unit count, or a required authorization number before they go out<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Payer-specific routing:<\/strong> Route claims to the correct payer workflow automatically, so non-covered S-codes never reach Medicare FFS<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Documentation integration:<\/strong> Link dispensing records to claims, so the audit trail is attached from the start instead of reconstructed after a denial<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/features\/patient-intake-software\/\">Digital intake forms<\/a> feed straight into the billing workflow. Drug name, strength, and date captured at the point of care then match what goes out on the claim. <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/blog\/ehr-integration\/\">EHR integration<\/a> keeps clinical and billing data in sync rather than re-entered by hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oncology charts carry sensitive diagnosis and treatment detail, so <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/blog\/patient-data-security-tools\/\">patient data security tools<\/a> matter as much as billing accuracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pabau.com\/cdn\/attachments\/pulse\/content-engine\/billing_codes\/hcpcs-code-s0177\/customizable-consent-and-intake-forms.webp\" alt=\"Pabau treatment form with consultation sections, lab orders, and a patient signature\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Pabau&#8217;s treatment forms capture the drug name, strength, and quantity at the point of care, so the claim matches the chart.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35px;width:800px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n        <div id=\"book_a_demo\">\n            <div class=\"left-side\">\n                <div class=\"logo\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\"\n                        src=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Logo.svg\"\n                        alt=\"Logo\"\n                        loading=\"lazy\"\n                    \/>\n                <\/div>\n\n                <h3 class=\"heading\">\n                    Tired of manual HCPCS claim errors?                <\/h3>\n\n                <p class=\"description\">\n                    Pabau&#8217;s claims management lets specialty practices configure drug code rules, track units of service, and catch missing claim data before anything goes out. See how it works in a live demo.                <\/p>\n\n                <div class=\"button-group\">\n                    <a href=\"\/book-demo\/\" class=\"btn btn-scale-effect btn-cta-color btn-md\">\n                        <span class=\"btn-text\">Book a demo<\/span>\n                        <div class=\"btn-icon btn-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                            <svg\n                                width=\"14\"\n                                height=\"12\"\n                                viewBox=\"0 0 14 12\"\n                                fill=\"none\"\n                                xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"\n                            >\n                                <path\n                                    d=\"M0.75 4.77295C0.335786 4.77295 0 5.10874 0 5.52295C0 5.93716 0.335786 6.27295 0.75 6.27295V5.52295V4.77295ZM13.2803 6.05328C13.5732 5.76039 13.5732 5.28551 13.2803 4.99262L8.50736 0.219648C8.21447 -0.073245 7.73959 -0.073245 7.4467 0.219648C7.15381 0.512542 7.15381 0.987415 7.4467 1.28031L11.6893 5.52295L7.4467 9.76559C7.15381 10.0585 7.15381 10.5334 7.4467 10.8263C7.73959 11.1191 8.21447 11.1191 8.50736 10.8263L13.2803 6.05328ZM0.75 5.52295V6.27295L12.75 6.27295V5.52295V4.77295L0.75 4.77295V5.52295Z\"\n                                    fill=\"currentColor\"\n                                ><\/path>\n                            <\/svg>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n            <div class=\"right-side\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\"\n                    src=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Home-Page-Concept-4.webp\"\n                    alt=\"Pabau claims management dashboard\"\n                    loading=\"lazy\"\n                \/>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        \n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-conclusion\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Treat an S0177 line as a question before you treat it as a claim. The code is valid, but the drug behind it has not been available in the US for more than two decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the dispensing record confirms levamisole, the billing work is straightforward. Get the units right at one per 50 mg, and add the NDC where the state requires it. Then confirm the payer covers S-codes at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If it does not, the cleaner path is often a pharmacy claim rather than a medical one. That choice costs nothing to make up front and saves a rework cycle later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Managing these rules across multiple payers is easier with <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/blog\/practice-management-software\/\">practice management software<\/a> built for specialty billing. <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/book-demo\/\">Book a demo<\/a> to see how Pabau handles HCPCS Level II drug code workflows end to end.<\/p>\n\n\n        <div id=\"expert_picks\">\n            <div class=\"header\">\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Expert-Picks.svg\" alt=\"Continue your research\" height=\"42\" width=\"42\">\n                                <h3>Continue your research<\/h3>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"content\">\n                                                            <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#54B2D3\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p><strong>Billing an injectable drug instead of a tablet?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/procedure-codes\/hcpcs-code-j2010\/\">J2010<\/a> walks through units, NDC reporting, and the payer rules that apply to a J-series drug code.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#54B2D3\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p><strong>Need a second worked example of drug units?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/procedure-codes\/hcpcs-code-j2320\/\">J2320<\/a> shows how dosage maps to billable units when one vial covers several doses.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#54B2D3\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p><strong>Billing a controlled drug in the office?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/procedure-codes\/hcpcs-code-j2175\/\">J2175<\/a> covers documentation and unit reporting for an injectable analgesic supplied on site.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#54B2D3\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p><strong>Working with other temporary HCPCS codes?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/procedure-codes\/hcpcs-code-g0162\/\">G0162<\/a> explains how the G-series handles services that have no permanent code yet.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#54B2D3\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p><strong>Billing supplies rather than drugs?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/procedure-codes\/hcpcs-code-a4490\/\">A4490<\/a> sets out how the A-series supply codes are documented and submitted.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    \n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-frequently-asked-questions\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1786952133482\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">What is HCPCS code S0177 used for?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">HCPCS code S0177 reports levamisole hydrochloride, oral, 50 mg, an anthelmintic with immunomodulatory activity. Practices bill it per 50 mg unit supplied. That applies to patients covered by Medicaid or by commercial payers that recognize HCPCS S-codes.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1786952133483\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Is HCPCS code S0177 covered by Medicare?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">No. Traditional Medicare fee-for-service does not cover S0177 or any other S-series code. Part B also excludes most self-administered oral drugs, and levamisole has no injectable form that would bring it under the narrow oral anticancer exception. Medicare Advantage plans set their own rules, so verify coverage with the plan before billing.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1786952133484\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">How do you bill S0177 to Medicaid?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Report S0177 in Box 24D of the CMS-1500, with units matching the number of 50 mg doses supplied. Confirm that the state Medicaid program covers the code. Add the 11-digit NDC where the state requires it, and obtain prior authorization when the plan asks for one.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1786952133485\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Do modifiers JW and JZ apply to S0177?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">No. CMS created JW and JZ for amounts discarded from single-dose vials and single-use packages of injectable drugs. S0177 describes an oral tablet, so neither modifier fits. Check the payer&#8217;s published policy for any modifier it does require, such as KX.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1786952133486\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Is S0177 still active in 2026?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">S0177 still appears in current HCPCS Level II code references, but verify its status against the latest CMS quarterly update file before billing. S-codes can be revised or deleted each quarter. Note that no levamisole product for human use has been marketed in the United States since 2000.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1786952133487\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">What is the difference between S-codes and J-codes in HCPCS?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">J-codes (J0001 to J9999) are permanent HCPCS Level II drug codes recognized by Medicare, Medicaid, and most commercial payers, mainly for injectable drugs. S-codes are temporary codes approved by the HCPCS National Panel and excluded from traditional Medicare fee-for-service. Levamisole carries S0177 because it never received a permanent J-code assignment.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1786952133488\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">What documentation is required when billing S0177?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Keep the prescription and the dispensing record. Between them they should show the date of service, the drug name (levamisole hydrochloride), the strength, the quantity supplied, and the prescribing provider. Where the state Medicaid program requires an NDC on the claim, record the exact NDC you dispensed against.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>HCPCS code S0177 is an HCPCS Level II billing code with the official descriptor Levamisole hydrochloride, oral, 50 mg. It sits in the S-series (S0100 to S9999), the temporary codes used by Medicaid programs and commercial payers. One unit of service is one 50 mg oral dose. S-codes are approved by the HCPCS National Panel [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":82,"featured_media":180974,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"83","_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"60","_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"[\"\",\"\",\"\",\"\",\"\"]","_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input":"","_seo_original_html":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1433,1548],"tags":[3046,1582,1619,3814,2385],"class_list":["post-180978","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-billing-codes","category-hcpcs","tag-drug-billing","tag-hcpcs","tag-hcpcs-billing","tag-medicaid-billing","tag-medicare-coverage"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.2 (Yoast SEO v28.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>HCPCS code S0177: Why Medicare denies it (and who pays)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"HCPCS code S0177 covers levamisole 50 mg. Medicare FFS never pays it, so Medicaid and commercial payers set the only rates that apply.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/nl\/procedure-codes\/hcpcs-code-s0177\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"nl_NL\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"HCPCS code S0177: Why Medicare denies it (and who pays)\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"HCPCS code S0177 covers levamisole 50 mg. Medicare FFS never pays it, so Medicaid and commercial payers set the only rates that apply.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/nl\/procedure-codes\/hcpcs-code-s0177\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Pabau\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Pabau\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-08-17T07:53:03+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-17T08:44:28+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/hcpcs-code-s0177.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"630\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Maja Popovska\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@pabaucrm\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@pabaucrm\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Geschreven door\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Maja Popovska\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Geschatte leestijd\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minuten\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/procedure-codes\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/procedure-codes\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Maja Popovska\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/b00aec1dd379f0ddcf6137d78e2a21db\"},\"headline\":\"HCPCS code S0177: Levamisole 50 mg billing, coverage and fee schedule\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-08-17T07:53:03+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-08-17T08:44:28+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/procedure-codes\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2630,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/procedure-codes\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177.webp\",\"keywords\":[\"Drug Billing\",\"Hcpcs\",\"Hcpcs Billing\",\"Medicaid Billing\",\"Medicare coverage\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Billing Codes\",\"HCPCS\"],\"inLanguage\":\"nl-NL\"},{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"FAQPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/procedure-codes\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/procedure-codes\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177\\\/\",\"name\":\"HCPCS code S0177: Why Medicare denies it (and who pays)\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/procedure-codes\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/procedure-codes\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177.webp\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-08-17T07:53:03+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-08-17T08:44:28+00:00\",\"description\":\"HCPCS code S0177 covers levamisole 50 mg. Medicare FFS never pays it, so Medicaid and commercial payers set the only rates that apply.\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/procedure-codes\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177\\\/#faq-question-1786952133482\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/procedure-codes\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177\\\/#faq-question-1786952133483\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/procedure-codes\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177\\\/#faq-question-1786952133484\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/procedure-codes\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177\\\/#faq-question-1786952133485\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/procedure-codes\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177\\\/#faq-question-1786952133486\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/procedure-codes\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177\\\/#faq-question-1786952133487\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/procedure-codes\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177\\\/#faq-question-1786952133488\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"nl-NL\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/procedure-codes\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"nl-NL\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/procedure-codes\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177.webp\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":630},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/\",\"name\":\"Pabau\",\"description\":\"Clinic Software for your Business | Go Paperless Today\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"nl-NL\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Pabau\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"nl-NL\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/05\\\/Logo-4-e1654525062364.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/05\\\/Logo-4-e1654525062364.png\",\"width\":736,\"height\":195,\"caption\":\"Pabau\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/Pabau\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/pabaucrm\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/pabau-ltd\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/pabausoftware\\\/\"],\"description\":\"Pabau is an all-in-one healthcare practice management software platform designed for clinics, medspas, therapists, and medical professionals. It combines scheduling, electronic health records, clinical forms, payments, marketing automation, reporting, and patient engagement tools into one secure cloud system to help practices streamline operations and grow their business.\",\"foundingDate\":\"2011-10-20\",\"numberOfEmployees\":{\"@type\":\"QuantitativeValue\",\"minValue\":\"201\",\"maxValue\":\"500\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/b00aec1dd379f0ddcf6137d78e2a21db\",\"name\":\"Maja Popovska\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"nl-NL\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/cropped-Maja-Popovska_WP-1-96x96.jpeg\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/cropped-Maja-Popovska_WP-1-96x96.jpeg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/cropped-Maja-Popovska_WP-1-96x96.jpeg\",\"caption\":\"Maja Popovska\"},\"description\":\"Maja is a Senior Content Writer at Pabau, where she covers everything from practice management and compliance to medical aesthetics and patient experience. Off the clock: binging true crime docuseries, baking and dreaming about travel.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/maja-popovska\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/procedure-codes\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177\\\/#faq-question-1786952133482\",\"position\":1,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/procedure-codes\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177\\\/#faq-question-1786952133482\",\"name\":\"What is HCPCS code S0177 used for?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"HCPCS code S0177 reports levamisole hydrochloride, oral, 50 mg, an anthelmintic with immunomodulatory activity. Practices bill it per 50 mg unit supplied. That applies to patients covered by Medicaid or by commercial payers that recognize HCPCS S-codes.\",\"inLanguage\":\"nl-NL\"},\"inLanguage\":\"nl-NL\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/procedure-codes\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177\\\/#faq-question-1786952133483\",\"position\":2,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/procedure-codes\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177\\\/#faq-question-1786952133483\",\"name\":\"Is HCPCS code S0177 covered by Medicare?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"No. Traditional Medicare fee-for-service does not cover S0177 or any other S-series code. Part B also excludes most self-administered oral drugs, and levamisole has no injectable form that would bring it under the narrow oral anticancer exception. Medicare Advantage plans set their own rules, so verify coverage with the plan before billing.\",\"inLanguage\":\"nl-NL\"},\"inLanguage\":\"nl-NL\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/procedure-codes\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177\\\/#faq-question-1786952133484\",\"position\":3,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/procedure-codes\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177\\\/#faq-question-1786952133484\",\"name\":\"How do you bill S0177 to Medicaid?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Report S0177 in Box 24D of the CMS-1500, with units matching the number of 50 mg doses supplied. Confirm that the state Medicaid program covers the code. Add the 11-digit NDC where the state requires it, and obtain prior authorization when the plan asks for one.\",\"inLanguage\":\"nl-NL\"},\"inLanguage\":\"nl-NL\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/procedure-codes\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177\\\/#faq-question-1786952133485\",\"position\":4,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/procedure-codes\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177\\\/#faq-question-1786952133485\",\"name\":\"Do modifiers JW and JZ apply to S0177?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"No. CMS created JW and JZ for amounts discarded from single-dose vials and single-use packages of injectable drugs. S0177 describes an oral tablet, so neither modifier fits. Check the payer's published policy for any modifier it does require, such as KX.\",\"inLanguage\":\"nl-NL\"},\"inLanguage\":\"nl-NL\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/procedure-codes\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177\\\/#faq-question-1786952133486\",\"position\":5,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/procedure-codes\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177\\\/#faq-question-1786952133486\",\"name\":\"Is S0177 still active in 2026?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"S0177 still appears in current HCPCS Level II code references, but verify its status against the latest CMS quarterly update file before billing. S-codes can be revised or deleted each quarter. Note that no levamisole product for human use has been marketed in the United States since 2000.\",\"inLanguage\":\"nl-NL\"},\"inLanguage\":\"nl-NL\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/procedure-codes\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177\\\/#faq-question-1786952133487\",\"position\":6,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/nl\\\/procedure-codes\\\/hcpcs-code-s0177\\\/#faq-question-1786952133487\",\"name\":\"What is the difference between S-codes and J-codes in HCPCS?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"J-codes (J0001 to J9999) are permanent HCPCS Level II drug codes recognized by Medicare, Medicaid, and most commercial payers, mainly for injectable drugs. S-codes are temporary codes approved by the HCPCS National Panel and excluded from traditional Medicare fee-for-service. 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Off the clock: binging true crime docuseries, baking and dreaming about travel.","url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/nl\/blog\/author\/maja-popovska\/"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/nl\/procedure-codes\/hcpcs-code-s0177\/#faq-question-1786952133482","position":1,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/nl\/procedure-codes\/hcpcs-code-s0177\/#faq-question-1786952133482","name":"What is HCPCS code S0177 used for?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"HCPCS code S0177 reports levamisole hydrochloride, oral, 50 mg, an anthelmintic with immunomodulatory activity. Practices bill it per 50 mg unit supplied. That applies to patients covered by Medicaid or by commercial payers that recognize HCPCS S-codes.","inLanguage":"nl-NL"},"inLanguage":"nl-NL"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/nl\/procedure-codes\/hcpcs-code-s0177\/#faq-question-1786952133483","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/nl\/procedure-codes\/hcpcs-code-s0177\/#faq-question-1786952133483","name":"Is HCPCS code S0177 covered by Medicare?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No. Traditional Medicare fee-for-service does not cover S0177 or any other S-series code. Part B also excludes most self-administered oral drugs, and levamisole has no injectable form that would bring it under the narrow oral anticancer exception. Medicare Advantage plans set their own rules, so verify coverage with the plan before billing.","inLanguage":"nl-NL"},"inLanguage":"nl-NL"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/nl\/procedure-codes\/hcpcs-code-s0177\/#faq-question-1786952133484","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/nl\/procedure-codes\/hcpcs-code-s0177\/#faq-question-1786952133484","name":"How do you bill S0177 to Medicaid?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Report S0177 in Box 24D of the CMS-1500, with units matching the number of 50 mg doses supplied. Confirm that the state Medicaid program covers the code. Add the 11-digit NDC where the state requires it, and obtain prior authorization when the plan asks for one.","inLanguage":"nl-NL"},"inLanguage":"nl-NL"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/nl\/procedure-codes\/hcpcs-code-s0177\/#faq-question-1786952133485","position":4,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/nl\/procedure-codes\/hcpcs-code-s0177\/#faq-question-1786952133485","name":"Do modifiers JW and JZ apply to S0177?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No. CMS created JW and JZ for amounts discarded from single-dose vials and single-use packages of injectable drugs. S0177 describes an oral tablet, so neither modifier fits. Check the payer's published policy for any modifier it does require, such as KX.","inLanguage":"nl-NL"},"inLanguage":"nl-NL"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/nl\/procedure-codes\/hcpcs-code-s0177\/#faq-question-1786952133486","position":5,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/nl\/procedure-codes\/hcpcs-code-s0177\/#faq-question-1786952133486","name":"Is S0177 still active in 2026?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"S0177 still appears in current HCPCS Level II code references, but verify its status against the latest CMS quarterly update file before billing. S-codes can be revised or deleted each quarter. Note that no levamisole product for human use has been marketed in the United States since 2000.","inLanguage":"nl-NL"},"inLanguage":"nl-NL"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/nl\/procedure-codes\/hcpcs-code-s0177\/#faq-question-1786952133487","position":6,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/nl\/procedure-codes\/hcpcs-code-s0177\/#faq-question-1786952133487","name":"What is the difference between S-codes and J-codes in HCPCS?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"J-codes (J0001 to J9999) are permanent HCPCS Level II drug codes recognized by Medicare, Medicaid, and most commercial payers, mainly for injectable drugs. S-codes are temporary codes approved by the HCPCS National Panel and excluded from traditional Medicare fee-for-service. Levamisole carries S0177 because it never received a permanent J-code assignment.","inLanguage":"nl-NL"},"inLanguage":"nl-NL"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/nl\/procedure-codes\/hcpcs-code-s0177\/#faq-question-1786952133488","position":7,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/nl\/procedure-codes\/hcpcs-code-s0177\/#faq-question-1786952133488","name":"What documentation is required when billing S0177?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Keep the prescription and the dispensing record. Between them they should show the date of service, the drug name (levamisole hydrochloride), the strength, the quantity supplied, and the prescribing provider. Where the state Medicaid program requires an NDC on the claim, record the exact NDC you dispensed against.","inLanguage":"nl-NL"},"inLanguage":"nl-NL"}]}},"yoast":{"focus_keyword":"HCPCS code S0177","seo_title":"HCPCS code S0177: Why Medicare denies it (and who pays)","meta_description":"HCPCS code S0177 covers levamisole 50 mg. 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