A6531 HCPCS code: Gradient compression stocking, below knee, 30-40 mmhg, used as a surgical dressing, each
A6531 is the HCPCS Level II code for gradient compression stocking, below knee, 30-40 mmhg, used as a surgical dressing, each. The 2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule pays $61.66 to $74.00 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 4 per day on DME suppliers. Medicare volume fell 22% from 2022 to 2024 (10,762 to 8,398 services). In 2024, 266 suppliers billed Medicare for A6531 (purchases), serving 2,549 beneficiaries; New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts accounted for 54% of services. Its average fee ranks 1 of 3 A65 codes billed AW (family range $61.89–$121.87).
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 | 2006-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2024-01-01 |
2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule for A6531
| Modifier | Meaning | Lowest state fee | Highest state fee | Ceiling | Floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AW | SD | $61.66 | $74.00 | $61.66 | $52.41 |
| State | Modifier | Fee | Rural fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| AK | AW | $61.66 | — |
| AL | AW | $61.66 | — |
| AR | AW | $61.66 | — |
| AZ | AW | $61.66 | — |
| CA | AW | $61.66 | — |
| CO | AW | $61.66 | — |
| CT | AW | $61.66 | — |
| DC | AW | $61.66 | — |
| DE | AW | $61.66 | — |
| FL | AW | $61.66 | — |
| GA | AW | $61.66 | — |
| HI | AW | $61.66 | — |
| IA | AW | $61.66 | — |
| ID | AW | $61.66 | — |
| IL | AW | $61.66 | — |
| IN | AW | $61.66 | — |
| KS | AW | $61.66 | — |
| KY | AW | $61.66 | — |
| LA | AW | $61.66 | — |
| MA | AW | $61.66 | — |
| MD | AW | $61.66 | — |
| ME | AW | $61.66 | — |
| MI | AW | $61.66 | — |
| MN | AW | $61.66 | — |
| MO | AW | $61.66 | — |
| MS | AW | $61.66 | — |
| MT | AW | $61.66 | — |
| NC | AW | $61.66 | — |
| ND | AW | $61.66 | — |
| NE | AW | $61.66 | — |
| NH | AW | $61.66 | — |
| NJ | AW | $61.66 | — |
| NM | AW | $61.66 | — |
| NV | AW | $61.66 | — |
| NY | AW | $61.66 | — |
| OH | AW | $61.66 | — |
| OK | AW | $61.66 | — |
| OR | AW | $61.66 | — |
| PA | AW | $61.66 | — |
| PR | AW | $74.00 | — |
| RI | AW | $61.66 | — |
| SC | AW | $61.66 | — |
| SD | AW | $61.66 | — |
| TN | AW | $61.66 | — |
| TX | AW | $61.66 | — |
| UT | AW | $61.66 | — |
| VA | AW | $61.66 | — |
| VI | AW | $61.66 | — |
| VT | AW | $61.66 | — |
| WA | AW | $61.66 | — |
| WI | AW | $61.66 | — |
| WV | AW | $61.66 | — |
| WY | AW | $61.66 | — |
How the A6531 fee compares
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Rank among 3 A65 codes billed AW (lowest = 1) | 1 |
| Family fee range (average of state fees) | $61.89–$121.87 |
| Rural fee uplift | — |
Who bills A6531 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Suppliers billing rentals | — |
| Suppliers billing purchases | 266 |
| Referring clinicians | 1,326 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 2,549 |
| States with claims | 35 |
| Share of services in top 3 states (New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts) | 54% |
| Year | Suppliers | Beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 323 | 3,165 |
| 2023 | 288 | 2,741 |
| 2024 | 266 | 2,549 |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for A6531, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 10,762 | 3,165 | $52.12 | $39.43 |
| 2023 | 9,106 | 2,741 | $56.27 | $42.78 |
| 2024 | 8,398 | 2,549 | $57.71 | $43.99 |
States with the most A6531 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 2,675 | $44.93 |
| New York | 885 | $43.81 |
| Massachusetts | 828 | $43.92 |
| Tennessee | 366 | $45.27 |
| Colorado | 365 | $43.44 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| DME suppliers | 4 | Clinical: Data |
| outpatient hospital claims | 2 | Nature of Equipment |
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 A6531
- 2026-01-01: Average state fee (AW) rose 2.0%: $60.68 to $61.89
- 2006-01-01: A6531 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 A6531?
A6531 is the HCPCS Level II code for gradient compression stocking, below knee, 30-40 mmhg, used as a surgical dressing, each. Short descriptor: "Compress stking bk30-40 surg".
How much does Medicare pay for A6531?
Under the 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule, non-rural state fees are AW (SD): $61.66–$74.00. Rural fees can be higher.
Does Medicare cover A6531?
Coverage code D — Special coverage instructions apply. Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met.
Did the Medicare fee for A6531 change in 2026?
The average non-rural state fee for AW moved from $60.68 in 2025 to $61.89 in 2026 (+2.0%). CMS's next quarterly HCPCS and DMEPOS update takes effect January 1, 2027.
How many units of A6531 can be billed per day?
4 on DME suppliers; 2 on outpatient hospital claims (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related A65 codes
- A6501 — Compression burn garment, bodysuit (head to foot), custom fabricated
- A6502 — Compression burn garment, chin strap, custom fabricated
- A6503 — Compression burn garment, facial hood, custom fabricated
- A6504 — Compression burn garment, glove to wrist, custom fabricated
- A6505 — Compression burn garment, glove to elbow, custom fabricated
- A6506 — Compression burn garment, glove to axilla, custom fabricated
- A6507 — Compression burn garment, foot to knee length, custom fabricated
- A6508 — Compression burn garment, foot to thigh length, custom fabricated
- A6509 — Compression burn garment, upper trunk to waist including arm openings (vest), custom fabricated
- A6510 — Compression burn garment, trunk, including arms down to leg openings (leotard), custom fabricated
- A6511 — Compression burn garment, lower trunk including leg openings (panty), custom fabricated
- A6512 — Compression burn garment, not otherwise classified
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 A6531
- Watch A6531 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for A6531
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.