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HCPCS A4452 · Level II · A code

A4452: Tape, waterproof, per 18 square inches, HCPCS Level II A code

Compiled from CMS files by the QuickIntell RCM Editorial Team · Data effective · Method: reference methodology · Report a data correction

Data currency: HCPCS Level II file: October 2026 (effective October 1, 2026); PFS relative value file: RVU26D, released August 26, 2026 (effective October 1, 2026); DMEPOS fee schedule: DME26-D (October 2026) (effective October 1, 2026); NCCI MUE tables: 2026 Q4 (effective October 1, 2026); NCCI PTP edits: v323r0 (2026 Q4) (effective October 1, 2026); OPPS Addendum B: October 2026 (effective October 1, 2026); Medicare Coverage Database LCD export: MCD release October 8, 2026 (effective October 4, 2026). Next CMS release: January 1, 2027 (quarterly update) for the HCPCS Level II file and DMEPOS fee schedule and NCCI MUE tables and NCCI PTP edits and OPPS Addendum B; RVU27A with the CY2027 PFS final rule, effective January 1, 2027 for the PFS relative value file; weekly, every Thursday for the Medicare Coverage Database LCD export.

Key facts for A4452

Medicare payment
$0.50
DMEPOS non-rural state fees (AU)
Coverage code
D
special coverage instructions apply
Practitioner MUE
0
MAI 3
OPPS status
SI N
Items and Services packaged into APC rates
NCCI PTP pairs
0
practitioner file
LCDs and articles
5 / 0

TL;DR

HCPCS Level II A4452 reads "Tape, waterproof, per 18 square inches" in the October 2026 file; it dates from 2003. DMEPOS fees for A4452, a OS (ostomy, tracheostomy and urological items) item, run AU (urological, ostomy or tracheostomy item) $0.50 in every contiguous state (floor $0.43, ceiling $0.50); AV (item with a prosthetic or orthotic device) $0.50 in every contiguous state (floor $0.43, ceiling $0.50); AW (item with a surgical dressing) $0.54 in every contiguous state (floor $0.46, ceiling $0.54) in the October 2026 file. Its 2026 Q4 MUEs per date of service: practitioner 0 (MAI 3, CMS Policy); hospital outpatient 4 (MAI 3, Clinical: Data). 5 active LCDs list A4452: L33803 (Urological Supplies), L33828 (Ostomy Supplies). OPPS status indicator N: Items and Services packaged into APC rates. HCPCS record: BETOS D1F (prosthetic/orthotic devices); pricing indicator 37; type of service L (ESRD supplies), P (lump-sum purchase of DME, prosthetics or orthotics). 1 other active code opens with "Tape"; related codes: A4450, A4483, A4414, A4390.

A4452 descriptor and code status

The October 2026 HCPCS Level II file describes A4452 as “Tape, waterproof, per 18 square inches”. It sits in the A section (transportation, medical and surgical supplies, administrative, miscellaneous and investigational), listed with the other A codes.

HCPCS file attributes of A4452
FieldValue
Short descriptorWaterproof tape
Added to HCPCS2003-01-01
Last actionN (no maintenance), effective 2003-01-01
Coverage codeD: special coverage instructions apply
Pricing indicator37: DMEPOS ostomy, tracheostomy and urological supplies (floors and ceilings)
BETOS categoryD1F: prosthetic/orthotic devices
Type of serviceL: ESRD supplies; P: lump-sum purchase of DME, prosthetics or orthotics

Medicare payment for A4452

DMEPOS fees for A4452, a OS (ostomy, tracheostomy and urological items) item, run AU (urological, ostomy or tracheostomy item) $0.50 in every contiguous state (floor $0.43, ceiling $0.50); AV (item with a prosthetic or orthotic device) $0.50 in every contiguous state (floor $0.43, ceiling $0.50); AW (item with a surgical dressing) $0.54 in every contiguous state (floor $0.46, ceiling $0.54) in the October 2026 file. The amounts below are national figures from the October 2026 CMS files; the contractor applies the locality, rural or state adjustment and the beneficiary's cost sharing.

Physician fee schedule (RVU26D)

Status X: statutory exclusion: not a physician service under the fee schedule. Global period XXX (global surgery concept does not apply); PC/TC indicator 9 (professional/technical concept does not apply).

DMEPOS fee schedule (DME26-D)

Jurisdiction D (DME MAC), payment category OS (ostomy, tracheostomy and urological items). Fees are set per state; AK, HI, PR and VI are not subject to the national ceiling and floor and are listed separately. A rural fee applies only in ZIP codes on the CMS rural ZIP list.

DMEPOS fees for A4452 by modifier
ModifierFloor / ceilingNon-rural state rangeRural rangeAK / HI / PR / VI
AU (urological, ostomy or tracheostomy item)$0.43 / $0.50$0.50 (49 states)—AK $0.50, HI $0.50, PR $0.58, VI $0.50
AV (item with a prosthetic or orthotic device)$0.43 / $0.50$0.50 (49 states)—AK $0.50, HI $0.50, PR $0.53, VI $0.50
AW (item with a surgical dressing)$0.46 / $0.54$0.54 (49 states)—AK $0.54, HI $0.54, PR $0.68, VI $0.54

Hospital outpatient (OPPS Addendum B)

Status indicator N (Items and Services packaged into APC rates), with no separate OPPS payment rate.

Medically Unlikely Edits for A4452

Its 2026 Q4 MUEs per date of service: practitioner 0 (MAI 3, CMS Policy); hospital outpatient 4 (MAI 3, Clinical: Data). The practitioner MUE is a date-of-service clinical edit: units above the limit deny but can be paid on appeal with documentation.

MUE values for A4452 by setting
SettingMUE (units/DOS)MAICMS rationale
Practitioner services03 Date of Service Edit: ClinicalCMS Policy
Facility outpatient hospital43 Date of Service Edit: ClinicalClinical: Data

The MUE lookup for A4452 shows every setting next to any other code on the same claim.

NCCI edits and add-on rules

No active practitioner PTP pair lists A4452 in v323r0.

A4452 is neither an add-on code nor a designated primary code in the 2026 Q4 NCCI add-on edit file.

Pair counts show exposure, not the answer for one claim. Check A4452 against a second code to see whether the pair bundles and whether a modifier can separate the services.

Medicare coverage policies for A4452

5 active Local Coverage Determinations and 0 billing and coding articles list A4452. Each applies only in its contractor's jurisdiction, and the article carries the diagnosis codes that support the item or service.

Denials to expect on A4452

CARC 50 · N115

the diagnosis or documentation does not meet the LCD or billing article that lists A4452

CARC 151 · N362

units of A4452 exceed the practitioner MUE of 0 per date of service

CARC 4

the AU, AV, AW payment modifier is missing or does not match the item

CARC 16

the claim lacks information needed to adjudicate the line, such as an order, NPI or required modifier

Where QuickIntell fits for A4452 claims

QuickAuth coordinates the requirement checks and documentation that DME claims for A4452 depend on, with human review of each case, and QuickRCM carries claim readiness and the CARC 50, 151 and modifier denials these items draw.

See QuickAuth for requirement checksSee QuickRCM for denial follow-upBook a meeting

Frequently asked questions: HCPCS A4452

What does HCPCS code A4452 describe?

"Tape, waterproof, per 18 square inches" (short descriptor "Waterproof tape"), in the A section (transportation, medical and surgical supplies, administrative, miscellaneous and investigational). Added 2003-01-01.

Is A4452 a CPT code?

No. A4452 is a CMS HCPCS Level II code; CPT codes are the AMA's five-character set. Searches for "A4452 CPT code" mean this Level II code.

What does Medicare pay for A4452?

DMEPOS fees for A4452, a OS (ostomy, tracheostomy and urological items) item, run AU (urological, ostomy or tracheostomy item) $0.50 in every contiguous state (floor $0.43, ceiling $0.50); AV (item with a prosthetic or orthotic device) $0.50 in every contiguous state (floor $0.43, ceiling $0.50); AW (item with a surgical dressing) $0.54 in every contiguous state (floor $0.46, ceiling $0.54) in the October 2026 file.

How many units of A4452 can be billed per day?

Its 2026 Q4 MUEs per date of service: practitioner 0 (MAI 3, CMS Policy); hospital outpatient 4 (MAI 3, Clinical: Data). For the practitioner MUE (MAI 3), units above 0 deny for the day but can be paid on appeal with documentation; denials arrive as CARC 151.

Does Medicare cover A4452?

Coverage code D (special coverage instructions apply). 5 active LCDs list A4452: L33803 (Urological Supplies), L33828 (Ostomy Supplies).

Sources

Every figure on this page is taken from the CMS publications below, as released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Projection built 2026-10-10. Verify against the primary file before billing or contracting decisions. The reference methodology explains how each figure is computed from these files.

Disclaimer

This page is an operational reference compiled from CMS publications: the HCPCS Level II file, the physician, DMEPOS and clinical laboratory fee schedules, OPPS and ASC addenda, NCCI MUE, PTP and add-on edit tables and the Medicare Coverage Database. Amounts are Medicare national figures before locality and state adjustment; Medicaid and commercial payers set their own. CPT codes are shown as numbers only; CPT descriptors are copyright AMA. Nothing here is legal, clinical or billing advice.

Found a figure that does not match the CMS file? Report a data correction with the CMS file and the value you expected; the request reaches the editorial team through the contact form.