A5120 HCPCS code: Skin barrier, wipes or swabs, each

A5120 is the HCPCS Level II code for skin barrier, wipes or swabs, each. The 2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule pays $0.14 to $0.38 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 450 per day on DME suppliers. Medicare volume fell 7% from 2022 to 2024 (10,533,471 to 9,847,621 services). In 2024, 1,675 suppliers billed Medicare for A5120 (purchases), serving 66,635 beneficiaries; California, New York, Florida accounted for 22% of services.

Code details

2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule for A5120

How the A5120 fee compares

Who bills A5120 (2024)

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

Medicare utilization for A5120, 2022–2024

States with the most A5120 services (2024)

NCCI unit limits (MUE)

Medicare policy articles for this code

• A52463: Facial Prostheses - Policy Article (CGS Administrators, LLC (DME MAC) Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC (DME MAC)) — mentions this code in its coding guidance
• A52487: Ostomy Supplies - Policy Article (CGS Administrators, LLC (DME MAC) Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC (DME MAC)) — mentions this code in its coding guidance
• 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 (20 ICD-10-CM codes)

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

Showing 10 of 20. The full list, non-covered diagnoses and CSV export are in Caduvo.

What changed for A5120

• 2026-01-01: Average state fee (AU) rose 3.0%: $0.32 to $0.33
• 2026-01-01: Average state fee (AV) rose 3.1%: $0.32 to $0.33
• 2006-01-01: A5120 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 A5120?

A5120 is the HCPCS Level II code for skin barrier, wipes or swabs, each. Short descriptor: "Skin barrier, wipe or swab".

How much does Medicare pay for A5120?

Under the 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule, non-rural state fees are AU (OS): $0.14–$0.38; AV (prosthetics and orthotics): $0.16–$0.39. Rural fees can be higher.

Does Medicare cover A5120?

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

Which diagnoses support coverage for A5120?

Medicare policy articles that cite A5120 list 20 covered ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes across 3 articles. 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.

Did the Medicare fee for A5120 change in 2026?

The average non-rural state fee for AU moved from $0.32 in 2025 to $0.33 in 2026 (+3.0%). CMS's next quarterly HCPCS and DMEPOS update takes effect January 1, 2027.

How many units of A5120 can be billed per day?

450 on DME suppliers; 150 on outpatient hospital claims; 150 on practitioner claims (NCCI medically unlikely edits).

Related A51 codes

• A5102 — Bedside drainage bottle with or without tubing, rigid or expandable, each ($27.85–$35.14)
• A5105 — Urinary suspensory with leg bag, with or without tube, each ($28.84–$91.13)
• A5112 — Urinary drainage bag, leg or abdomen, latex, with or without tube, with straps, each ($41.95–$61.74)
• A5113 — Leg strap; latex, replacement only, per set ($4.96–$8.91)
• A5114 — Leg strap; foam or fabric, replacement only, per set ($8.91–$26.83)
• A5121 — Skin barrier; solid, 6 x 6 or equivalent, each ($5.90–$12.99)
• A5122 — Skin barrier; solid, 8 x 8 or equivalent, each ($15.56–$21.69)
• A5126 — Adhesive or non-adhesive; disk or foam pad ($1.56–$2.56)
• A5131 — Appliance cleaner, incontinence and ostomy appliances, per 16 oz. ($19.20–$72.12)

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Next steps

• Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under A5120
• Watch A5120 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
• Build a full Medicare revenue model for A5120

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.

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