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HCPCS C1820 · Level II · C code

C1820: Generator, neurostimulator (implantable), with rechargeable battery and charging system, HCPCS Level II C 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); 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; weekly, every Thursday for the Medicare Coverage Database LCD export.

Key facts for C1820

Medicare payment
none in these files
no PFS, DMEPOS, CLFS, OPPS or ASC amount; pricing indicator 53
Coverage code
D
special coverage instructions apply
Practitioner MUE
2
MAI 3
OPPS status
SI N
Items and Services packaged into APC rates
NCCI PTP pairs
0
practitioner file
LCDs and articles
1 / 2

TL;DR

C1820 is a Level II code from the C section (hospital outpatient prospective payment system, temporary codes), in use since 2006: "Generator, neurostimulator (implantable), with rechargeable battery and charging system". None of the October 2026 PFS, DMEPOS, CLFS, OPPS or ASC files lists a national amount for C1820; its HCPCS pricing indicator is 53 (statute). Its 2026 Q4 MUEs per date of service: practitioner 2 (MAI 3, Nature of Service/Procedure); hospital outpatient 2 (MAI 3, Nature of Service/Procedure). 1 active LCD and 2 billing and coding articles list C1820 across 10 states: L39543 (Sacral Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Urinary and Fecal Incontinence), A53359, A59332. OPPS status indicator N: Items and Services packaged into APC rates. HCPCS record: BETOS D1A (medical/surgical supplies); pricing indicator 53; type of service 9 (other medical items or services), F (ambulatory surgical center). 7 other active codes open with "Generator"; related codes: C1767, C1822, C1823, C1824.

C1820 descriptor and code status

The October 2026 HCPCS Level II file describes C1820 as “Generator, neurostimulator (implantable), with rechargeable battery and charging system”. It sits in the C section (hospital outpatient prospective payment system, temporary codes), listed with the other C codes. Although searches often call it the "C1820 CPT code", C1820 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 C1820
FieldValue
Short descriptorGenerator neuro rechg bat sy
Added to HCPCS2006-01-01
Last actionN (no maintenance), effective 2006-01-01
Coverage codeD: special coverage instructions apply
Pricing indicator53: statute
BETOS categoryD1A: medical/surgical supplies
Type of service9: other medical items or services; F: ambulatory surgical center
Statute1833(T)

Medicare payment for C1820

None of the October 2026 PFS, DMEPOS, CLFS, OPPS or ASC files lists a national amount for C1820; its HCPCS pricing indicator is 53 (statute). 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.

Hospital outpatient (OPPS Addendum B)

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

Ambulatory surgical center (Addendum BB)

Payment indicator N1 (Packaged service/item; no separate payment made).

Medically Unlikely Edits for C1820

Its 2026 Q4 MUEs per date of service: practitioner 2 (MAI 3, Nature of Service/Procedure); hospital outpatient 2 (MAI 3, Nature of Service/Procedure). 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 C1820 by setting
SettingMUE (units/DOS)MAICMS rationale
Practitioner services23 Date of Service Edit: ClinicalNature of Service/Procedure
Facility outpatient hospital23 Date of Service Edit: ClinicalNature of Service/Procedure

The MUE lookup for C1820 shows every setting next to any other code on the same claim.

NCCI edits and add-on rules

No active practitioner PTP pair lists C1820 in v323r0.

C1820 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 C1820 against a second code to see whether the pair bundles and whether a modifier can separate the services.

Medicare coverage policies for C1820

1 active Local Coverage Determination and 2 billing and coding articles list C1820. Each applies only in its contractor's jurisdiction, and the article carries the diagnosis codes that support the item or service.

Billing and Coding Articles listing C1820
ArticleTitleContractor(s)Related LCD
A53359Billing and Coding: Sacral Nerve Stimulation for Urinary and Fecal IncontinenceNoridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC—
A59332Billing and Coding: Sacral Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Urinary and Fecal IncontinencePalmetto GBAL39543

Denials to expect on C1820

CARC 50 · N115

the diagnosis or documentation does not meet the LCD or billing article that lists C1820

CARC 151 · N362

units of C1820 exceed the practitioner MUE of 2 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 C1820 claims

QuickCode supports qualified coder review of units, modifiers and NCCI pairs for C1820 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 C1820

What does HCPCS code C1820 describe?

"Generator, neurostimulator (implantable), with rechargeable battery and charging system" (short descriptor "Generator neuro rechg bat sy"), in the C section (hospital outpatient prospective payment system, temporary codes). Added 2006-01-01.

Is C1820 a CPT code?

No. C1820 is a CMS HCPCS Level II code; CPT codes are the AMA's five-character set. Searches for "C1820 CPT code" mean this Level II code.

What does Medicare pay for C1820?

None of the October 2026 PFS, DMEPOS, CLFS, OPPS or ASC files lists a national amount for C1820; its HCPCS pricing indicator is 53 (statute).

How many units of C1820 can be billed per day?

Its 2026 Q4 MUEs per date of service: practitioner 2 (MAI 3, Nature of Service/Procedure); hospital outpatient 2 (MAI 3, Nature of Service/Procedure). For the practitioner MUE (MAI 3), units above 2 deny for the day but can be paid on appeal with documentation; denials arrive as CARC 151.

Does Medicare cover C1820?

Coverage code D (special coverage instructions apply). 1 active LCD and 2 billing and coding articles list C1820 across 10 states: L39543 (Sacral Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Urinary and Fecal Incontinence), A53359, A59332.

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.