A4461 HCPCS code: Surgical dressing holder, non-reusable, each
A4461 is the HCPCS Level II code for surgical dressing holder, non-reusable, each. The 2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule pays $4.70 to $5.61 depending on the state. Its Medicare coverage code is C (Carrier judgment): Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case. The NCCI unit limit is 2 per day on outpatient hospital claims. Its average fee ranks 15 of 42 A44 codes (family range $0.15–$160.42).
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | A codes — Transportation, medical/surgical supplies and miscellaneous |
| Coverage code | C — Carrier judgment |
| Pricing indicator | 35 — DMEPOS: surgical dressings |
| BETOS category | D1A — Medical/surgical supplies |
| Added | 2007-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2007-01-01 |
2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule for A4461
| Modifier | Meaning | Lowest state fee | Highest state fee | Ceiling | Floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | base fee | $4.70 | $5.61 | $4.70 | $4.00 |
| State | Modifier | Fee | Rural fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| AK | — | $4.78 | — |
| AL | — | $4.70 | — |
| AR | — | $4.70 | — |
| AZ | — | $4.70 | — |
| CA | — | $4.70 | — |
| CO | — | $4.70 | — |
| CT | — | $4.70 | — |
| DC | — | $4.70 | — |
| DE | — | $4.70 | — |
| FL | — | $4.70 | — |
| GA | — | $4.70 | — |
| HI | — | $5.08 | — |
| IA | — | $4.70 | — |
| ID | — | $4.70 | — |
| IL | — | $4.70 | — |
| IN | — | $4.70 | — |
| KS | — | $4.70 | — |
| KY | — | $4.70 | — |
| LA | — | $4.70 | — |
| MA | — | $4.70 | — |
| MD | — | $4.70 | — |
| ME | — | $4.70 | — |
| MI | — | $4.70 | — |
| MN | — | $4.70 | — |
| MO | — | $4.70 | — |
| MS | — | $4.70 | — |
| MT | — | $4.70 | — |
| NC | — | $4.70 | — |
| ND | — | $4.70 | — |
| NE | — | $4.70 | — |
| NH | — | $4.70 | — |
| NJ | — | $4.70 | — |
| NM | — | $4.70 | — |
| NV | — | $4.70 | — |
| NY | — | $4.70 | — |
| OH | — | $4.70 | — |
| OK | — | $4.70 | — |
| OR | — | $4.70 | — |
| PA | — | $4.70 | — |
| PR | — | $5.61 | — |
| RI | — | $4.70 | — |
| SC | — | $4.70 | — |
| SD | — | $4.70 | — |
| TN | — | $4.70 | — |
| TX | — | $4.70 | — |
| UT | — | $4.70 | — |
| VA | — | $4.70 | — |
| VI | — | $4.70 | — |
| VT | — | $4.70 | — |
| WA | — | $4.70 | — |
| WI | — | $4.70 | — |
| WV | — | $4.70 | — |
| WY | — | $4.70 | — |
How the A4461 fee compares
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Rank among 42 A44 codes (lowest = 1) | 15 |
| Family fee range (average of state fees) | $0.15–$160.42 |
| Rural fee uplift | — |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| outpatient hospital claims | 2 | Clinical: CMS Workgroup |
| practitioner claims | 2 | Clinical: CMS Workgroup |
What changed for A4461
- 2026-01-01: Average state fee rose 2.0%: $4.64 to $4.73
- 2007-01-01: A4461 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 A4461?
A4461 is the HCPCS Level II code for surgical dressing holder, non-reusable, each. Short descriptor: "Surgicl dress hold non-reuse".
How much does Medicare pay for A4461?
Under the 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule, non-rural state fees are base (base fee): $4.70–$5.61. Rural fees can be higher.
Does Medicare cover A4461?
Coverage code C — Carrier judgment. Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case.
Did the Medicare fee for A4461 change in 2026?
The average non-rural state fee moved from $4.64 in 2025 to $4.73 in 2026 (+2.0%). CMS's next quarterly HCPCS and DMEPOS update takes effect January 1, 2027.
How many units of A4461 can be billed per day?
2 on outpatient hospital claims; 2 on practitioner claims (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related A44 codes
- A4400 — Ostomy irrigation set ($59.20–$90.97)
- A4402 — Lubricant, per ounce ($1.93–$5.70)
- A4404 — Ostomy ring, each ($2.03–$2.60)
- A4405 — Ostomy skin barrier, non-pectin based, paste, per ounce ($4.87–$5.76)
- A4406 — Ostomy skin barrier, pectin-based, paste, per ounce ($8.16–$9.78)
- A4407 — Ostomy skin barrier, with flange (solid, flexible, or accordion), extended wear, with built-in convexity, 4 x 4 inches or smaller, each ($12.48–$14.94)
- A4408 — Ostomy skin barrier, with flange (solid, flexible or accordion), extended wear, with built-in convexity, larger than 4 x 4 inches, each ($14.07–$16.87)
- A4409 — Ostomy skin barrier, with flange (solid, flexible or accordion), extended wear, without built-in convexity, 4 x 4 inches or smaller, each ($8.84–$10.60)
- A4410 — Ostomy skin barrier, with flange (solid, flexible or accordion), extended wear, without built-in convexity, larger than 4 x 4 inches, each ($12.88–$15.43)
- A4411 — Ostomy skin barrier, solid 4 x 4 or equivalent, extended wear, with built-in convexity, each ($7.26–$8.70)
- A4412 — Ostomy pouch, drainable, high output, for use on a barrier with flange (2 piece system), without filter, each ($3.86–$4.56)
- A4413 — Ostomy pouch, drainable, high output, for use on a barrier with flange (2 piece system), with filter, each ($7.85–$9.44)
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Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under A4461
- Watch A4461 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for A4461
Sources: CMS HCPCS Level II release October 2025; 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.