A6540 HCPCS code: Gradient compression stocking, waist length, 30-40 mmhg, each
A6540 is the HCPCS Level II code for gradient compression stocking, waist length, 30-40 mmhg, each. The 2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule pays $116.68 depending on the state. Its Medicare coverage code is C (Carrier judgment): Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case. The NCCI unit limit is 6 per day on DME suppliers. In 2024, 77 suppliers billed Medicare for A6540 (purchases), serving 123 beneficiaries. Its average fee ranks 27 of 63 A65 codes (family range $0.18–$1,274.45).
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | A codes — Transportation, medical/surgical supplies and miscellaneous |
| Coverage code | C — Carrier judgment |
| Pricing indicator | 40 — DMEPOS: lymphedema compression treatment item |
| BETOS category | O1L |
| Added | 2006-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2024-01-01 |
2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule for A6540
| Modifier | Meaning | Lowest state fee | Highest state fee | Ceiling | Floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | base fee | $116.68 | $116.68 | — | — |
| State | Modifier | Fee | Rural fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| AK | — | $116.68 | — |
| AL | — | $116.68 | — |
| AR | — | $116.68 | — |
| AZ | — | $116.68 | — |
| CA | — | $116.68 | — |
| CO | — | $116.68 | — |
| CT | — | $116.68 | — |
| DC | — | $116.68 | — |
| DE | — | $116.68 | — |
| FL | — | $116.68 | — |
| GA | — | $116.68 | — |
| HI | — | $116.68 | — |
| IA | — | $116.68 | — |
| ID | — | $116.68 | — |
| IL | — | $116.68 | — |
| IN | — | $116.68 | — |
| KS | — | $116.68 | — |
| KY | — | $116.68 | — |
| LA | — | $116.68 | — |
| MA | — | $116.68 | — |
| MD | — | $116.68 | — |
| ME | — | $116.68 | — |
| MI | — | $116.68 | — |
| MN | — | $116.68 | — |
| MO | — | $116.68 | — |
| MS | — | $116.68 | — |
| MT | — | $116.68 | — |
| NC | — | $116.68 | — |
| ND | — | $116.68 | — |
| NE | — | $116.68 | — |
| NH | — | $116.68 | — |
| NJ | — | $116.68 | — |
| NM | — | $116.68 | — |
| NV | — | $116.68 | — |
| NY | — | $116.68 | — |
| OH | — | $116.68 | — |
| OK | — | $116.68 | — |
| OR | — | $116.68 | — |
| PA | — | $116.68 | — |
| PR | — | $116.68 | — |
| RI | — | $116.68 | — |
| SC | — | $116.68 | — |
| SD | — | $116.68 | — |
| TN | — | $116.68 | — |
| TX | — | $116.68 | — |
| UT | — | $116.68 | — |
| VA | — | $116.68 | — |
| VI | — | $116.68 | — |
| VT | — | $116.68 | — |
| WA | — | $116.68 | — |
| WI | — | $116.68 | — |
| WV | — | $116.68 | — |
| WY | — | $116.68 | — |
How the A6540 fee compares
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Rank among 63 A65 codes (lowest = 1) | 27 |
| Family fee range (average of state fees) | $0.18–$1,274.45 |
| Rural fee uplift | — |
Who bills A6540 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Suppliers billing rentals | — |
| Suppliers billing purchases | 77 |
| Referring clinicians | 122 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 123 |
| States with claims | 2 |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for A6540, 2024–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 330 | 123 | $109.40 | $84.95 |
States with the most A6540 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 38 | $86.48 |
| Pennsylvania | 35 | $85.03 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| DME suppliers | 6 | CMS Policy |
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 A6540
- 2026-01-01: Average state fee rose 2.7%: $113.61 to $116.68
- 2006-01-01: A6540 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 A6540?
A6540 is the HCPCS Level II code for gradient compression stocking, waist length, 30-40 mmhg, each. Short descriptor: "Gc stocking waistlngth 30-40".
How much does Medicare pay for A6540?
Under the 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule, non-rural state fees are base (base fee): $116.68. Rural fees can be higher.
Does Medicare cover A6540?
Coverage code C — Carrier judgment. Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case.
Did the Medicare fee for A6540 change in 2026?
The average non-rural state fee moved from $113.61 in 2025 to $116.68 in 2026 (+2.7%). CMS's next quarterly HCPCS and DMEPOS update takes effect January 1, 2027.
How many units of A6540 can be billed per day?
6 on DME suppliers (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 A6540
- Watch A6540 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for A6540
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.