A6216 HCPCS code: Gauze, non-impregnated, non-sterile, pad size 16 sq. in. or less, without adhesive border, each dressing
A6216 is the HCPCS Level II code for gauze, non-impregnated, non-sterile, pad size 16 sq. in. or less, without adhesive border, each dressing. The 2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule pays $0.05 to $0.09 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 39% from 2022 to 2024 (5,664,348 to 3,445,150 services). In 2024, 765 suppliers billed Medicare for A6216 (purchases), serving 18,928 beneficiaries; Texas, Florida, California accounted for 25% of services. Its average fee ranks 1 of 41 A62 codes (family range $0.05–$56.30).
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 | 2003-01-01 |
2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule for A6216
| Modifier | Meaning | Lowest state fee | Highest state fee | Ceiling | Floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | base fee | $0.05 | $0.09 | $0.05 | $0.04 |
| State | Modifier | Fee | Rural fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| AK | — | $0.08 | — |
| AL | — | $0.05 | — |
| AR | — | $0.05 | — |
| AZ | — | $0.05 | — |
| CA | — | $0.05 | — |
| CO | — | $0.05 | — |
| CT | — | $0.05 | — |
| DC | — | $0.05 | — |
| DE | — | $0.05 | — |
| FL | — | $0.05 | — |
| GA | — | $0.05 | — |
| HI | — | $0.09 | — |
| IA | — | $0.05 | — |
| ID | — | $0.05 | — |
| IL | — | $0.05 | — |
| IN | — | $0.05 | — |
| KS | — | $0.05 | — |
| KY | — | $0.05 | — |
| LA | — | $0.05 | — |
| MA | — | $0.05 | — |
| MD | — | $0.05 | — |
| ME | — | $0.05 | — |
| MI | — | $0.05 | — |
| MN | — | $0.05 | — |
| MO | — | $0.05 | — |
| MS | — | $0.05 | — |
| MT | — | $0.05 | — |
| NC | — | $0.05 | — |
| ND | — | $0.05 | — |
| NE | — | $0.05 | — |
| NH | — | $0.05 | — |
| NJ | — | $0.05 | — |
| NM | — | $0.05 | — |
| NV | — | $0.05 | — |
| NY | — | $0.05 | — |
| OH | — | $0.05 | — |
| OK | — | $0.05 | — |
| OR | — | $0.05 | — |
| PA | — | $0.05 | — |
| PR | — | $0.07 | — |
| RI | — | $0.05 | — |
| SC | — | $0.05 | — |
| SD | — | $0.05 | — |
| TN | — | $0.05 | — |
| TX | — | $0.05 | — |
| UT | — | $0.05 | — |
| VA | — | $0.05 | — |
| VI | — | $0.05 | — |
| VT | — | $0.05 | — |
| WA | — | $0.05 | — |
| WI | — | $0.05 | — |
| WV | — | $0.05 | — |
| WY | — | $0.05 | — |
How the A6216 fee compares
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Rank among 41 A62 codes (lowest = 1) | 1 |
| Family fee range (average of state fees) | $0.05–$56.30 |
| Rural fee uplift | — |
Who bills A6216 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Suppliers billing rentals | — |
| Suppliers billing purchases | 765 |
| Referring clinicians | 7,938 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 18,928 |
| States with claims | 52 |
| Share of services in top 3 states (Texas, Florida, California) | 25% |
| Year | Suppliers | Beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 988 | 21,903 |
| 2023 | 877 | 20,490 |
| 2024 | 765 | 18,928 |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for A6216, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 5,664,348 | 21,903 | $0.05 | $0.04 |
| 2023 | 4,668,426 | 20,490 | $0.05 | $0.04 |
| 2024 | 3,445,150 | 18,928 | $0.05 | $0.04 |
States with the most A6216 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 326,712 | $0.04 |
| Florida | 273,132 | $0.04 |
| California | 262,272 | $0.04 |
| Minnesota | 207,021 | $0.04 |
| Illinois | 184,603 | $0.04 |
Medicare policy articles for this code
- A52521: Urological Supplies - Policy Article (CGS Administrators, LLC (DME MAC) Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC (DME MAC)) — mentions this code in its coding guidance
Covered diagnoses (1 ICD-10-CM codes)
The diagnoses most often listed as covered in the policy articles above:
| ICD-10-CM | Diagnosis | Articles listing it |
|---|---|---|
| N39.3 | Stress incontinence (female) (male) | 1 |
What changed for A6216
- 1997-01-01: A6216 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 A6216?
A6216 is the HCPCS Level II code for gauze, non-impregnated, non-sterile, pad size 16 sq. in. or less, without adhesive border, each dressing. Short descriptor: "Non-sterile gauze<=16 sq in".
How much does Medicare pay for A6216?
Under the 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule, non-rural state fees are base (base fee): $0.05–$0.09. Rural fees can be higher.
Does Medicare cover A6216?
Coverage code D — Special coverage instructions apply. Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met.
Which diagnoses support coverage for A6216?
Medicare policy articles that cite A6216 list 1 covered ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes across 1 article. The most cited include N39.3 (Stress incontinence (female) (male)). A listed diagnosis is necessary but not sufficient; the policy's other criteria still apply.
Did the Medicare fee for A6216 change in 2026?
The average non-rural state fee moved from $0.05 in 2025 to $0.05 in 2026 (+0.0%). CMS's next quarterly HCPCS and DMEPOS update takes effect January 1, 2027.
Related A62 codes
- A6203 — Composite dressing, sterile, pad size 16 sq. in. or less, with any size adhesive border, each dressing ($4.80–$5.70)
- A6204 — Composite dressing, sterile, pad size more than 16 sq. in. but less than or equal to 48 sq. in., with any size adhesive border, each dressing ($8.86–$10.62)
- A6205 — Composite dressing, sterile, pad size more than 48 sq. in., with any size adhesive border, each dressing
- A6206 — Contact layer, sterile, 16 sq. in. or less, each dressing
- A6207 — Contact layer, sterile, more than 16 sq. in. but less than or equal to 48 sq. in., each dressing ($10.47–$12.56)
- A6208 — Contact layer, sterile, more than 48 sq. in., each dressing
- A6209 — Foam dressing, wound cover, sterile, pad size 16 sq. in. or less, without adhesive border, each dressing ($10.65–$12.82)
- A6210 — Foam dressing, wound cover, sterile, pad size more than 16 sq. in. but less than or equal to 48 sq. in., without adhesive border, each dressing ($28.40–$34.06)
- A6211 — Foam dressing, wound cover, sterile, pad size more than 48 sq. in., without adhesive border, each dressing ($41.86–$50.18)
- A6212 — Foam dressing, wound cover, sterile, pad size 16 sq. in. or less, with any size adhesive border, each dressing ($13.84–$16.61)
- A6213 — Foam dressing, wound cover, sterile, pad size more than 16 sq. in. but less than or equal to 48 sq. in., with any size adhesive border, each dressing
- A6214 — Foam dressing, wound cover, sterile, pad size more than 48 sq. in., with any size adhesive border, each dressing ($14.68–$17.62)
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 A6216
- Watch A6216 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for A6216
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.