A4253 HCPCS code: Blood glucose test or reagent strips for home blood glucose monitor, per 50 strips

A4253 is the HCPCS Level II code for blood glucose test or reagent strips for home blood glucose monitor, per 50 strips. The 2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule pays $8.32 (NU, new equipment, purchased) depending on the state. Its Medicare coverage code is D (Special coverage instructions apply): Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met. The NCCI unit limit is 1 per day on DME suppliers. Medicare volume fell 39% from 2022 to 2024 (10,938,020 to 6,721,711 services). In 2024, 39,872 suppliers billed Medicare for A4253 (purchases), serving 1,104,040 beneficiaries; California, New York, Illinois accounted for 23% of services. Its average fee ranks 5 of 5 A42 codes billed NU (family range $0.51–$8.32).

Code details

2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule for A4253

How the A4253 fee compares

Who bills A4253 (2024)

Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.

Medicare utilization for A4253, 2022–2024

States with the most A4253 services (2024)

NCCI unit limits (MUE)

Medicare policy articles for this code

• A52464: Glucose Monitor - Policy Article (CGS Administrators, LLC (DME MAC) Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC (DME MAC)) — mentions this code in its coding guidance

Covered diagnoses (461 ICD-10-CM codes)

The diagnoses most often listed as covered in the policy articles above:

Showing 10 of 461. The full list, non-covered diagnoses and CSV export are in Caduvo.

What changed for A4253

• 1986-01-01: A4253 added to HCPCS Level II
• Next scheduled CMS quarterly update (HCPCS and DMEPOS fee schedule): 2027-01-01

Frequently asked questions

What is HCPCS code A4253?

A4253 is the HCPCS Level II code for blood glucose test or reagent strips for home blood glucose monitor, per 50 strips. Short descriptor: "Blood glucose/reagent strips".

How much does Medicare pay for A4253?

Under the 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule, non-rural state fees are NU (new equipment, purchased): $8.32. Rural fees can be higher.

Does Medicare cover A4253?

Coverage code D — Special coverage instructions apply. Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met.

Which diagnoses support coverage for A4253?

Medicare policy articles that cite A4253 list 461 covered ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes across 1 article. The most cited include E08.00 (Diabetes mellitus due to underlying condition with hyperosmolarity without nonketotic hyperglycemic-hyperosmolar coma (NKHHC)), E08.01 (Diabetes mellitus due to underlying condition with hyperosmolarity with coma), E08.10 (Diabetes mellitus due to underlying condition with ketoacidosis without coma). A listed diagnosis is necessary but not sufficient; the policy's other criteria still apply.

Did the Medicare fee for A4253 change in 2026?

The average non-rural state fee for NU moved from $8.32 in 2025 to $8.32 in 2026 (+0.0%). CMS's next quarterly HCPCS and DMEPOS update takes effect January 1, 2027.

How many units of A4253 can be billed per day?

1 on DME suppliers (NCCI medically unlikely edits).

Related A42 codes

• A4206 — Syringe with needle, sterile, 1 cc or less, each
• A4207 — Syringe with needle, sterile 2 cc, each
• A4208 — Syringe with needle, sterile 3 cc, each
• A4209 — Syringe with needle, sterile 5 cc or greater, each
• A4210 — Needle-free injection device, each
• A4211 — Supplies for self-administered injections
• A4212 — Non-coring needle or stylet with or without catheter
• A4213 — Syringe, sterile, 20 cc or greater, each
• A4215 — Needle, sterile, any size, each
• A4216 — Sterile water, saline and/or dextrose, diluent/flush, 10 ml ($0.53–$0.99)
• A4217 — Sterile water/saline, 500 ml ($2.18–$4.93)
• A4218 — Sterile saline or water, metered dose dispenser, 10 ml

Building a device that would bill under a code like this? Caduvo matches a device description to HCPCS/CPT codes, Medicare coverage and payment, and the FDA pathway in one report.

Next steps

• Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under A4253
• Watch A4253 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
• Build a full Medicare revenue model for A4253

Sources: CMS HCPCS Level II release October 2026; CMS DMEPOS fee schedule 2026; CMS NCCI MUE tables; CMS Medicare utilization (physician and DME supplier files); CMS Medicare Coverage Database articles. Fees are Medicare allowables, not commercial rates. Not billing or legal advice.

All A codes · HCPCS lookup