HCPCS J1885: Ketorolac Tromethamine Injection
HCPCS J1885 reports injectable ketorolac tromethamine, per 15 mg — an NSAID for short-term acute pain. As a Part B drug it is paid at approximately ASP plus 6%, billed per unit with the NDC. Report drug waste from single-dose vials with the JW modifier and no-waste with JZ.
- Code type
- HCPCS Level II drug (per 15 mg)
- Priced under
- Part B: ~ASP + 6%
- Billed per
- Per 15 mg unit, with the NDC
- Waste modifier
- JW (discarded) / JZ (no waste)
What is HCPCS J1885 used for?
HCPCS J1885 reports injectable ketorolac tromethamine, per 15 mg — the drug commonly known by the brand Toradol. It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) used for short-term management of moderately severe acute pain, given IM or IV. J1885 bills the drug; the injection administration (96372) is a separate line.
How do you count units for J1885?
The code descriptor is per 15 mg, so units track the milligrams administered:
| Dose given | Units of J1885 |
|---|---|
| 15 mg | 1 |
| 30 mg | 2 |
| 60 mg | 4 |
Example: a 30 mg IM ketorolac injection for acute back pain is billed as J1885 x2 units plus 96372 for the administration.
How is J1885 priced, and why the NDC?
As a Medicare Part B separately payable drug, ketorolac is reimbursed at approximately the average sales price (ASP) plus 6 percent. ASP is calculated by CMS from manufacturer data and updated quarterly, so the dollar rate moves every quarter — this card describes the method rather than a fixed price. The claim line must carry the drug's NDC (national drug code), which identifies the exact product, package, and manufacturer for correct pricing and rebate tracking.
How do JW and JZ modifiers apply to J1885?
Single-dose vials trigger the discarded-drug rules:
- JW — reports the amount discarded, on a separate claim line, so Medicare pays for the labeled amount and can track waste.
- JZ — attests there was no discarded amount.
One of the two is required on separately payable drugs from single-dose containers. See the sibling drug codes J3301, J0696, and J1100 for the same ASP-and-waste framework, and use the Medicare fee calculator for the payable administration services under Part B.
Frequently asked questions
J1885 is defined per 15 mg. A common 30 mg IM dose is 2 units; a 60 mg dose is 4 units. Convert the milligrams given to 15 mg increments and report that count as units. Always include the drug's NDC on the claim line.
As a Medicare Part B separately payable drug, ketorolac is generally reimbursed at about the average sales price (ASP) plus 6 percent. ASP is set by CMS and updated quarterly, so the exact dollar amount changes every quarter — bill per unit and let the payer apply the current ASP-based rate.
For a single-dose vial, use JW to report the discarded amount on a separate line and JZ to attest there was no waste. One of the two is required on separately payable single-dose-container drugs so Medicare can track and, where applicable, recover discarded-drug amounts.
Sources & further reading
Reviewed by the ImmediCare Solutions RCM team
Certified billers and coders handling claims across 50+ specialties nationwide. This entry is reviewed against current payer policy and CMS rules. Last review: Jul 5, 2026.
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