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HCPCS A6404 · Level II · A code

A6404: Gauze, non-impregnated, sterile, pad size more than 48 sq. in., without adhesive border, 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); 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 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 A6404

Medicare payment
no PFS amount
PFS status P
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
1 / 0

TL;DR

A6404 is a Level II code from the A section (transportation, medical and surgical supplies, administrative, miscellaneous and investigational), in use since 1997: "Gauze, non-impregnated, sterile, pad size more than 48 sq. in., without adhesive border, each dressing". The physician fee schedule lists A6404 with status P (bundled or excluded: no separate physician fee schedule payment), so the PFS carries no national amount for it. MUE limits for A6404: practitioner 0 (MAI 3, CMS Policy); hospital outpatient 2 (MAI 3, Clinical: Data). 1 active LCD lists A6404: L33831 (Surgical Dressings). OPPS status indicator N: Items and Services packaged into APC rates. HCPCS record: BETOS D1A (medical/surgical supplies); pricing indicator 35; type of service S (surgical dressings or other medical supplies). 18 other active codes open with "Gauze"; related codes: A6402, A6219, A6216, A6403.

A6404 descriptor and code status

The October 2026 HCPCS Level II file describes A6404 as “Gauze, non-impregnated, sterile, pad size more than 48 sq. in., without adhesive border, each dressing”. 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 A6404
FieldValue
Short descriptorSterile gauze > 48 sq in
Added to HCPCS1997-01-01
Last actionN (no maintenance), effective 2003-01-01
Coverage codeD: special coverage instructions apply
Pricing indicator35: DMEPOS surgical dressings (floors and ceilings)
BETOS categoryD1A: medical/surgical supplies
Type of serviceS: surgical dressings or other medical supplies

Medicare payment for A6404

The physician fee schedule lists A6404 with status P (bundled or excluded: no separate physician fee schedule payment), so the PFS carries no national amount for it. 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 P: bundled or excluded: no separate physician fee schedule payment. Global period XXX (global surgery concept does not apply); PC/TC indicator 9 (professional/technical concept does not apply).

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 A6404

MUE limits for A6404: practitioner 0 (MAI 3, CMS Policy); hospital outpatient 2 (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 A6404 by setting
SettingMUE (units/DOS)MAICMS rationale
Practitioner services03 Date of Service Edit: ClinicalCMS Policy
Facility outpatient hospital23 Date of Service Edit: ClinicalClinical: Data

The MUE lookup for A6404 shows every setting next to any other code on the same claim.

NCCI edits and add-on rules

No active practitioner PTP pair lists A6404 in v323r0.

A6404 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 A6404 against a second code to see whether the pair bundles and whether a modifier can separate the services.

Medicare coverage policies for A6404

1 active Local Coverage Determination and 0 billing and coding articles list A6404. 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 A6404

CARC 50 · N115

the diagnosis or documentation does not meet the LCD or billing article that lists A6404

CARC 151 · N362

units of A6404 exceed the practitioner MUE of 0 per date of service

CARC 4

the modifier reported is inconsistent with the code

CARC 16

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

Where QuickIntell fits for A6404 claims

QuickCode supports qualified coder review of units, modifiers and NCCI pairs for A6404 before the claim leaves, and QuickRCM carries claim readiness and the denial follow-up when an edit or coverage policy is missed.

See QuickCode for coder reviewSee QuickRCM for denial follow-upBook a meeting

Frequently asked questions: HCPCS A6404

What does HCPCS code A6404 describe?

"Gauze, non-impregnated, sterile, pad size more than 48 sq. in., without adhesive border, each dressing" (short descriptor "Sterile gauze > 48 sq in"), in the A section (transportation, medical and surgical supplies, administrative, miscellaneous and investigational). Added 1997-01-01; last action N (no maintenance) effective 2003-01-01.

Is A6404 a CPT code?

No: CMS maintains A6404 in HCPCS Level II, while the AMA maintains CPT. It goes in the same procedure-code field.

What does Medicare pay for A6404?

The physician fee schedule lists A6404 with status P (bundled or excluded: no separate physician fee schedule payment), so the PFS carries no national amount for it.

How many units of A6404 can be billed per day?

MUE limits for A6404: practitioner 0 (MAI 3, CMS Policy); hospital outpatient 2 (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 A6404?

Coverage code D (special coverage instructions apply). 1 active LCD lists A6404: L33831 (Surgical Dressings).

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.