A4483 HCPCS code: Moisture exchanger, disposable, for use with invasive mechanical ventilation
A4483 is the HCPCS Level II code for moisture exchanger, disposable, for use with invasive mechanical ventilation. In 2024 Medicare paid an average of $4.07 per service for A4483 across 12,412 services. 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 30 per day on DME suppliers. Medicare volume rose 57% from 2022 to 2024 (7,930 to 12,412 services). In 2024, 48 suppliers billed Medicare for A4483 (purchases), serving 145 beneficiaries; California, Arizona, South Dakota accounted for 88% of services.
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | A codes — Transportation, medical/surgical supplies and miscellaneous |
| Coverage code | D — Special coverage instructions apply |
| Pricing indicator | 37 — DMEPOS: ostomy, tracheostomy and urological supplies |
| BETOS category | D1F — Prosthetic and orthotic devices |
| Added | 1999-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2003-01-01 |
Who bills A4483 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Suppliers billing rentals | — |
| Suppliers billing purchases | 48 |
| Referring clinicians | 167 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 145 |
| States with claims | 6 |
| Share of services in top 3 states (California, Arizona, South Dakota) | 88% |
| Year | Suppliers | Beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 44 | 105 |
| 2023 | 50 | 124 |
| 2024 | 48 | 145 |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for A4483, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 7,930 | 105 | $5.28 | $3.98 |
| 2023 | 9,080 | 124 | $5.28 | $4.06 |
| 2024 | 12,412 | 145 | $5.32 | $4.07 |
States with the most A4483 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| California | 7,911 | $3.98 |
| Arizona | 824 | $4.87 |
| South Dakota | 786 | $4.51 |
| Utah | 639 | $4.50 |
| Washington | 435 | $3.50 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| DME suppliers | 30 | Clinical: Data |
| outpatient hospital claims | 1 | Clinical: CMS Workgroup |
Medicare policy articles for this code
- A52492: Tracheostomy Care Supplies - Policy Article (CGS Administrators, LLC (DME MAC) Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC (DME MAC)) — mentions this code in its coding guidance
Covered diagnoses (10 ICD-10-CM codes)
The diagnoses most often listed as covered in the policy articles above:
| ICD-10-CM | Diagnosis | Articles listing it |
|---|---|---|
| J95.00 | Unspecified tracheostomy complication | 1 |
| J95.01 | Hemorrhage from tracheostomy stoma | 1 |
| J95.02 | Infection of tracheostomy stoma | 1 |
| J95.03 | Malfunction of tracheostomy stoma | 1 |
| J95.04 | Tracheo-esophageal fistula following tracheostomy | 1 |
| J95.09 | Other tracheostomy complication | 1 |
| Z43.0 | Encounter for attention to tracheostomy | 1 |
| Z90.02 | Acquired absence of larynx | 1 |
| Z93.0 | Tracheostomy status | 1 |
| Z96.3 | Presence of artificial larynx | 1 |
What changed for A4483
- 1999-01-01: A4483 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 A4483?
A4483 is the HCPCS Level II code for moisture exchanger, disposable, for use with invasive mechanical ventilation. Short descriptor: "Moisture exchanger".
How much does Medicare pay for A4483?
In 2024, the average Medicare payment was $4.07 per service (average allowed $5.32).
Does Medicare cover A4483?
Coverage code D — Special coverage instructions apply. Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met.
Which diagnoses support coverage for A4483?
Medicare policy articles that cite A4483 list 10 covered ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes across 1 article. The most cited include J95.00 (Unspecified tracheostomy complication), J95.01 (Hemorrhage from tracheostomy stoma), J95.02 (Infection of tracheostomy stoma). A listed diagnosis is necessary but not sufficient; the policy's other criteria still apply.
How many units of A4483 can be billed per day?
30 on DME suppliers; 1 on outpatient hospital 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)
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 A4483
- Watch A4483 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for A4483
Sources: CMS HCPCS Level II release October 2026; CMS DMEPOS fee schedule; 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.