A7526 HCPCS code: Tracheostomy tube collar/holder, each
A7526 is the HCPCS Level II code for tracheostomy tube collar/holder, each. The 2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule pays $4.83 to $5.71 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 100 per day on DME suppliers. Medicare volume fell 1% from 2022 to 2024 (1,275,827 to 1,258,211 services). In 2024, 1,626 suppliers billed Medicare for A7526 (purchases), serving 11,857 beneficiaries; California, New York, Texas accounted for 29% of services. Its average fee ranks 7 of 16 A75 codes (family range $0.46–$150.23).
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | A codes — Transportation, medical/surgical supplies and miscellaneous |
| Coverage code | C — Carrier judgment |
| Pricing indicator | 37 — DMEPOS: ostomy, tracheostomy and urological supplies |
| BETOS category | D1F — Prosthetic and orthotic devices |
| Added | 2004-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2004-01-01 |
2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule for A7526
| Modifier | Meaning | Lowest state fee | Highest state fee | Ceiling | Floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | base fee | $4.83 | $5.71 | $4.83 | $4.11 |
| State | Modifier | Fee | Rural fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| AK | — | $4.83 | — |
| AL | — | $4.83 | — |
| AR | — | $4.83 | — |
| AZ | — | $4.83 | — |
| CA | — | $4.83 | — |
| CO | — | $4.83 | — |
| CT | — | $4.83 | — |
| DC | — | $4.83 | — |
| DE | — | $4.83 | — |
| FL | — | $4.83 | — |
| GA | — | $4.83 | — |
| HI | — | $4.83 | — |
| IA | — | $4.83 | — |
| ID | — | $4.83 | — |
| IL | — | $4.83 | — |
| IN | — | $4.83 | — |
| KS | — | $4.83 | — |
| KY | — | $4.83 | — |
| LA | — | $4.83 | — |
| MA | — | $4.83 | — |
| MD | — | $4.83 | — |
| ME | — | $4.83 | — |
| MI | — | $4.83 | — |
| MN | — | $4.83 | — |
| MO | — | $4.83 | — |
| MS | — | $4.83 | — |
| MT | — | $4.83 | — |
| NC | — | $4.83 | — |
| ND | — | $4.83 | — |
| NE | — | $4.83 | — |
| NH | — | $4.83 | — |
| NJ | — | $4.83 | — |
| NM | — | $4.83 | — |
| NV | — | $4.83 | — |
| NY | — | $4.83 | — |
| OH | — | $4.83 | — |
| OK | — | $4.83 | — |
| OR | — | $4.83 | — |
| PA | — | $4.83 | — |
| PR | — | $5.71 | — |
| RI | — | $4.83 | — |
| SC | — | $4.83 | — |
| SD | — | $4.83 | — |
| TN | — | $4.83 | — |
| TX | — | $4.83 | — |
| UT | — | $4.83 | — |
| VA | — | $4.83 | — |
| VI | — | $4.83 | — |
| VT | — | $4.83 | — |
| WA | — | $4.83 | — |
| WI | — | $4.83 | — |
| WV | — | $4.83 | — |
| WY | — | $4.83 | — |
How the A7526 fee compares
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Rank among 16 A75 codes (lowest = 1) | 7 |
| Family fee range (average of state fees) | $0.46–$150.23 |
| Rural fee uplift | — |
Who bills A7526 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Suppliers billing rentals | — |
| Suppliers billing purchases | 1,626 |
| Referring clinicians | 8,779 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 11,857 |
| States with claims | 52 |
| Share of services in top 3 states (California, New York, Texas) | 29% |
| Year | Suppliers | Beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1,706 | 12,603 |
| 2023 | 1,670 | 12,083 |
| 2024 | 1,626 | 11,857 |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for A7526, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1,275,827 | 12,603 | $4.14 | $3.21 |
| 2023 | 1,273,346 | 12,083 | $4.49 | $3.46 |
| 2024 | 1,258,211 | 11,857 | $4.60 | $3.54 |
States with the most A7526 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| California | 161,466 | $3.56 |
| New York | 110,281 | $3.53 |
| Texas | 88,376 | $3.53 |
| Pennsylvania | 82,111 | $3.56 |
| Florida | 66,861 | $3.58 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| DME suppliers | 100 | Published Contractor Policy |
Medicare policy articles for this code
- 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 (10 ICD-10-CM codes)
The diagnoses most often listed as covered in the policy articles above:
| ICD-10-CM | Diagnosis | Articles listing it |
|---|---|---|
| J95.00 | Unspecified tracheostomy complication | 1 |
| J95.01 | Hemorrhage from tracheostomy stoma | 1 |
| J95.02 | Infection of tracheostomy stoma | 1 |
| J95.03 | Malfunction of tracheostomy stoma | 1 |
| J95.04 | Tracheo-esophageal fistula following tracheostomy | 1 |
| J95.09 | Other tracheostomy complication | 1 |
| Z43.0 | Encounter for attention to tracheostomy | 1 |
| Z90.02 | Acquired absence of larynx | 1 |
| Z93.0 | Tracheostomy status | 1 |
| Z96.3 | Presence of artificial larynx | 1 |
What changed for A7526
- 2026-01-01: Average state fee rose 1.9%: $4.76 to $4.85
- 2004-01-01: A7526 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 A7526?
A7526 is the HCPCS Level II code for tracheostomy tube collar/holder, each. Short descriptor: "Tracheostomy tube collar".
How much does Medicare pay for A7526?
Under the 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule, non-rural state fees are base (base fee): $4.83–$5.71. Rural fees can be higher.
Does Medicare cover A7526?
Coverage code C — Carrier judgment. Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case.
Which diagnoses support coverage for A7526?
Medicare policy articles that cite A7526 list 10 covered ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes across 1 article. 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 A7526 change in 2026?
The average non-rural state fee moved from $4.76 in 2025 to $4.85 in 2026 (+1.9%). CMS's next quarterly HCPCS and DMEPOS update takes effect January 1, 2027.
How many units of A7526 can be billed per day?
100 on DME suppliers (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related A75 codes
- A7501 — Tracheostoma valve, including diaphragm, each ($149.66–$179.61)
- A7502 — Replacement diaphragm/faceplate for tracheostoma valve, each ($71.15–$85.36)
- A7503 — Filter holder or filter cap, reusable, for use in a tracheostoma heat and moisture exchange system, each ($16.17–$19.42)
- A7504 — Filter for use in a tracheostoma heat and moisture exchange system, each ($0.97–$1.15)
- A7505 — Housing, reusable without adhesive, for use in a heat and moisture exchange system and/or with a tracheostoma valve, each ($6.68–$7.99)
- A7506 — Adhesive disc for use in a heat and moisture exchange system and/or with tracheostoma valve, any type each ($0.46–$0.52)
- A7507 — Filter holder and integrated filter without adhesive, for use in a tracheostoma heat and moisture exchange system, each ($3.56–$4.34)
- A7508 — Housing and integrated adhesive, for use in a tracheostoma heat and moisture exchange system and/or with a tracheostoma valve, each ($4.09–$4.95)
- A7509 — Filter holder and integrated filter housing, and adhesive, for use as a tracheostoma heat and moisture exchange system, each ($2.01–$2.37)
- A7520 — Tracheostomy/laryngectomy tube, non-cuffed, polyvinylchloride (pvc), silicone or equal, each ($67.66–$81.18)
- A7521 — Tracheostomy/laryngectomy tube, cuffed, polyvinylchloride (pvc), silicone or equal, each ($67.04–$80.49)
- A7522 — Tracheostomy/laryngectomy tube, stainless steel or equal (sterilizable and reusable), each ($64.36–$77.22)
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 A7526
- Watch A7526 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for A7526
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.