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HCPCS A7046 · Level II · A code

A7046: Water chamber for humidifier, used with positive airway pressure device, replacement, each, 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 A7046

Medicare payment
$15.83 to $17.20
DMEPOS non-rural state fees (NU)
Coverage code
D
special coverage instructions apply
DME supplier MUE
1
MAI 2
OPPS status
SI Y
Non-implantable DME
NCCI PTP pairs
0
practitioner file
LCDs and articles
2 / 0

TL;DR

A7046 is a Level II code from the A section (transportation, medical and surgical supplies, administrative, miscellaneous and investigational), in use since 2004: "Water chamber for humidifier, used with positive airway pressure device, replacement, each". A7046 is paid from the DMEPOS fee schedule as inexpensive and other routinely purchased items (IN): NU (purchased, new) $15.83 in DC, DE, MD and 3 more to $17.20 in IL, IN, MI and 2 more, rural $21.23, October 2026. MUE limits for A7046: practitioner 0 (MAI 3, CMS Policy); hospital outpatient 0 (MAI 3, CMS Policy); DME supplier 1 (MAI 2, Published Contractor Policy). 2 active LCDs list A7046: L33718 (Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Devices for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea), L33800 (Respiratory Assist Devices). OPPS status indicator Y: Non-implantable DME. HCPCS record: BETOS D1E (other DME); pricing indicator 32; type of service P (lump-sum purchase of DME, prosthetics or orthotics). Nearby codes: A7048, A7039, A7038, A7037.

A7046 descriptor and code status

The October 2026 HCPCS Level II file describes A7046 as “Water chamber for humidifier, used with positive airway pressure device, replacement, each”. It sits in the A section (transportation, medical and surgical supplies, administrative, miscellaneous and investigational), listed with the other A codes. Although searches often call it the "A7046 CPT code", A7046 is a HCPCS Level II code maintained by CMS, not an AMA CPT code; both go in the same procedure-code field on the claim.

HCPCS file attributes of A7046
FieldValue
Short descriptorRepl water chamber, pap dev
Added to HCPCS2004-01-01
Last actionN (no maintenance), effective 2004-01-01
Coverage codeD: special coverage instructions apply
Pricing indicator32: DMEPOS inexpensive and routinely purchased DME (floors and ceilings)
BETOS categoryD1E: other DME
Type of serviceP: lump-sum purchase of DME, prosthetics or orthotics

Medicare payment for A7046

A7046 is paid from the DMEPOS fee schedule as inexpensive and other routinely purchased items (IN): NU (purchased, new) $15.83 in DC, DE, MD and 3 more to $17.20 in IL, IN, MI and 2 more, rural $21.23, October 2026. 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 IN (inexpensive and other routinely purchased 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 A7046 by modifier
ModifierFloor / ceilingNon-rural state rangeRural rangeAK / HI / PR / VI
NU (purchased, new)—$15.83 (DC, DE, MD…) to $17.20 (IL, IN, MI…)$21.23 (49 states)AK $21.19, HI $21.19, PR $23.57, VI $21.19

Hospital outpatient (OPPS Addendum B)

Status indicator Y (Non-implantable DME), with no separate OPPS payment rate.

Medically Unlikely Edits for A7046

MUE limits for A7046: practitioner 0 (MAI 3, CMS Policy); hospital outpatient 0 (MAI 3, CMS Policy); DME supplier 1 (MAI 2, Published Contractor Policy). The DME supplier MUE is a date-of-service policy edit: units above the limit deny even when split across lines, and appeals rarely succeed.

MUE values for A7046 by setting
SettingMUE (units/DOS)MAICMS rationale
Practitioner services03 Date of Service Edit: ClinicalCMS Policy
Facility outpatient hospital03 Date of Service Edit: ClinicalCMS Policy
DME supplier12 Date of Service Edit: PolicyPublished Contractor Policy

The MUE lookup for A7046 shows every setting next to any other code on the same claim.

NCCI edits and add-on rules

No active practitioner PTP pair lists A7046 in v323r0.

A7046 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 A7046 against a second code to see whether the pair bundles and whether a modifier can separate the services.

Medicare coverage policies for A7046

2 active Local Coverage Determinations and 0 billing and coding articles list A7046. 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 A7046

CARC 50 · N115

the diagnosis or documentation does not meet the LCD or billing article that lists A7046

CARC 151 · N362

units of A7046 exceed the DME supplier MUE of 1 per date of service

CARC 4

the NU 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 A7046 claims

QuickAuth coordinates the requirement checks and documentation that DME claims for A7046 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 A7046

What does HCPCS code A7046 describe?

"Water chamber for humidifier, used with positive airway pressure device, replacement, each" (short descriptor "Repl water chamber, pap dev"), in the A section (transportation, medical and surgical supplies, administrative, miscellaneous and investigational). Added 2004-01-01.

Is A7046 a CPT code?

No: CMS maintains A7046 in HCPCS Level II, while the AMA maintains CPT. People do search "A7046 CPT code", and it goes in the same procedure-code field.

What does Medicare pay for A7046?

A7046 is paid from the DMEPOS fee schedule as inexpensive and other routinely purchased items (IN): NU (purchased, new) $15.83 in DC, DE, MD and 3 more to $17.20 in IL, IN, MI and 2 more, rural $21.23, October 2026.

How many units of A7046 can be billed per day?

MUE limits for A7046: practitioner 0 (MAI 3, CMS Policy); hospital outpatient 0 (MAI 3, CMS Policy); DME supplier 1 (MAI 2, Published Contractor Policy). For the DME supplier MUE (MAI 2), units above 1 deny for the whole day as a policy limit; denials arrive as CARC 151.

Does Medicare cover A7046?

Coverage code D (special coverage instructions apply). 2 active LCDs list A7046: L33718 (Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Devices for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea), L33800 (Respiratory Assist Devices).

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.