A6199 HCPCS code: Alginate or other fiber gelling dressing, wound filler, sterile, per 6 inches
A6199 is the HCPCS Level II code for alginate or other fiber gelling dressing, wound filler, sterile, per 6 inches. The 2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule pays $7.52 to $8.99 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. Medicare volume fell 32% from 2022 to 2024 (1,073,048 to 725,940 services). In 2024, 180 suppliers billed Medicare for A6199 (purchases), serving 9,068 beneficiaries; Florida, New York, Texas accounted for 35% of services. Its average fee ranks 1 of 4 A61 codes (family range $7.56–$23.57).
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | A codes — Transportation, medical/surgical supplies and miscellaneous |
| Coverage code | D — Special coverage instructions apply |
| Pricing indicator | 35 — DMEPOS: surgical dressings |
| BETOS category | D1A — Medical/surgical supplies |
| Added | 1997-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2009-01-01 |
2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule for A6199
| Modifier | Meaning | Lowest state fee | Highest state fee | Ceiling | Floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | base fee | $7.52 | $8.99 | $7.52 | $6.39 |
| State | Modifier | Fee | Rural fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| AK | — | $7.61 | — |
| AL | — | $7.52 | — |
| AR | — | $7.52 | — |
| AZ | — | $7.52 | — |
| CA | — | $7.52 | — |
| CO | — | $7.52 | — |
| CT | — | $7.52 | — |
| DC | — | $7.52 | — |
| DE | — | $7.52 | — |
| FL | — | $7.52 | — |
| GA | — | $7.52 | — |
| HI | — | $8.12 | — |
| IA | — | $7.52 | — |
| ID | — | $7.52 | — |
| IL | — | $7.52 | — |
| IN | — | $7.52 | — |
| KS | — | $7.52 | — |
| KY | — | $7.52 | — |
| LA | — | $7.52 | — |
| MA | — | $7.52 | — |
| MD | — | $7.52 | — |
| ME | — | $7.52 | — |
| MI | — | $7.52 | — |
| MN | — | $7.52 | — |
| MO | — | $7.52 | — |
| MS | — | $7.52 | — |
| MT | — | $7.52 | — |
| NC | — | $7.52 | — |
| ND | — | $7.52 | — |
| NE | — | $7.52 | — |
| NH | — | $7.52 | — |
| NJ | — | $7.52 | — |
| NM | — | $7.52 | — |
| NV | — | $7.52 | — |
| NY | — | $7.52 | — |
| OH | — | $7.52 | — |
| OK | — | $7.52 | — |
| OR | — | $7.52 | — |
| PA | — | $7.52 | — |
| PR | — | $8.99 | — |
| RI | — | $7.52 | — |
| SC | — | $7.52 | — |
| SD | — | $7.52 | — |
| TN | — | $7.52 | — |
| TX | — | $7.52 | — |
| UT | — | $7.52 | — |
| VA | — | $7.52 | — |
| VI | — | $7.52 | — |
| VT | — | $7.52 | — |
| WA | — | $7.52 | — |
| WI | — | $7.52 | — |
| WV | — | $7.52 | — |
| WY | — | $7.52 | — |
How the A6199 fee compares
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Rank among 4 A61 codes (lowest = 1) | 1 |
| Family fee range (average of state fees) | $7.56–$23.57 |
| Rural fee uplift | — |
Who bills A6199 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Suppliers billing rentals | — |
| Suppliers billing purchases | 180 |
| Referring clinicians | 5,006 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 9,068 |
| States with claims | 50 |
| Share of services in top 3 states (Florida, New York, Texas) | 35% |
| Year | Suppliers | Beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 274 | 10,043 |
| 2023 | 227 | 10,715 |
| 2024 | 180 | 9,068 |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for A6199, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1,073,048 | 10,043 | $6.45 | $5.06 |
| 2023 | 1,110,553 | 10,715 | $7.01 | $5.46 |
| 2024 | 725,940 | 9,068 | $7.19 | $5.61 |
States with the most A6199 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 109,768 | $5.62 |
| New York | 71,819 | $5.61 |
| Texas | 70,901 | $5.62 |
| California | 47,625 | $5.61 |
| Pennsylvania | 29,850 | $5.56 |
Medicare policy articles for this code
- A54563: Surgical Dressings - Policy Article (CGS Administrators, LLC (DME MAC) Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC (DME MAC)) — mentions this code in its coding guidance
What changed for A6199
- 2026-01-01: Average state fee rose 2.0%: $7.41 to $7.56
- 1997-01-01: A6199 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 A6199?
A6199 is the HCPCS Level II code for alginate or other fiber gelling dressing, wound filler, sterile, per 6 inches. Short descriptor: "Alginate drsg wound filler".
How much does Medicare pay for A6199?
Under the 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule, non-rural state fees are base (base fee): $7.52–$8.99. Rural fees can be higher.
Does Medicare cover A6199?
Coverage code D — Special coverage instructions apply. Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met.
Did the Medicare fee for A6199 change in 2026?
The average non-rural state fee moved from $7.41 in 2025 to $7.56 in 2026 (+2.0%). CMS's next quarterly HCPCS and DMEPOS update takes effect January 1, 2027.
Related A61 codes
- A6154 — Wound pouch, each ($19.86–$22.46)
- A6196 — Alginate or other fiber gelling dressing, wound cover, sterile, pad size 16 sq. in. or less, each dressing ($10.49–$12.59)
- A6197 — Alginate or other fiber gelling dressing, wound cover, sterile, pad size more than 16 sq. in. but less than or equal to 48 sq. in., each dressing ($23.44–$28.11)
- A6198 — Alginate or other fiber gelling dressing, wound cover, sterile, pad size more than 48 sq. in., each dressing
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 A6199
- Watch A6199 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for A6199
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.