B4160 HCPCS code: Enteral formula, for pediatrics, nutritionally complete calorically dense (equal to or greater than 0.7 kcal/ml) with intact nutrients, includes proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, may include fiber, administered through an enteral feeding tube, 100 calories = 1 unit
B4160 is the HCPCS Level II code for enteral formula, for pediatrics, nutritionally complete calorically dense (equal to or greater than 0.7 kcal/ml) with intact nutrients, includes proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, may include fiber, administered through an enteral feeding tube, 100 calories = 1 unit. In 2024 Medicare paid an average of $0.91 per service for B4160 across 431,053 services. Its Medicare coverage code is D (Special coverage instructions apply): Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met. Medicare volume rose 15% from 2022 to 2024 (373,717 to 431,053 services). In 2024, 125 suppliers billed Medicare for B4160 (purchases), serving 169 beneficiaries; California, Indiana, Illinois accounted for 25% of services.
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | B codes — Enteral and parenteral therapy |
| Coverage code | D — Special coverage instructions apply |
| Pricing indicator | 46 — Priced by the Medicare contractor (no national fee) |
| BETOS category | O1C — Enteral and parenteral nutrition |
| Added | 2005-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2005-01-01 |
Who bills B4160 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Suppliers billing rentals | — |
| Suppliers billing purchases | 125 |
| Referring clinicians | 199 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 169 |
| States with claims | 31 |
| Share of services in top 3 states (California, Indiana, Illinois) | 25% |
| Year | Suppliers | Beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 134 | 159 |
| 2023 | 135 | 193 |
| 2024 | 125 | 169 |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for B4160, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 373,717 | 159 | $1.02 | $0.78 |
| 2023 | 425,170 | 193 | $1.15 | $0.88 |
| 2024 | 431,053 | 169 | $1.19 | $0.91 |
States with the most B4160 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| California | 39,569 | $0.92 |
| Indiana | 31,180 | $0.94 |
| Illinois | 31,098 | $0.87 |
| Texas | 30,067 | $0.92 |
| Missouri | 26,972 | $0.96 |
Medicare policy articles for this code
- A58833: Enteral Nutrition - Policy Article (CGS Administrators, LLC (DME MAC) Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC (DME MAC)) — mentions this code in its coding guidance
Covered diagnoses (21 ICD-10-CM codes)
The diagnoses most often listed as covered in the policy articles above:
| ICD-10-CM | Diagnosis | Articles listing it |
|---|---|---|
| E08.69 | Diabetes mellitus due to underlying condition with other specified complication | 1 |
| E09.69 | Drug or chemical induced diabetes mellitus with other specified complication | 1 |
| E10.69 | Type 1 diabetes mellitus with other specified complication | 1 |
| E11.69 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus with other specified complication | 1 |
| E13.69 | Other specified diabetes mellitus with other specified complication | 1 |
| E84.19 | Cystic fibrosis with other intestinal manifestations | 1 |
| E84.8 | Cystic fibrosis with other manifestations | 1 |
| E84.9 | Cystic fibrosis, unspecified | 1 |
| K50.018 | Crohn's disease of small intestine with other complication | 1 |
| K50.118 | Crohn's disease of large intestine with other complication | 1 |
Showing 10 of 21. The full list, non-covered diagnoses and CSV export are in Caduvo.
What changed for B4160
- 2005-01-01: B4160 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 B4160?
B4160 is the HCPCS Level II code for enteral formula, for pediatrics, nutritionally complete calorically dense (equal to or greater than 0.7 kcal/ml) with intact nutrients, includes proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, may include fiber, administered through an enteral feeding tube, 100 calories = 1 unit. Short descriptor: "Ef ped caloric dense>/=0.7kc".
How much does Medicare pay for B4160?
In 2024, the average Medicare payment was $0.91 per service (average allowed $1.19).
Does Medicare cover B4160?
Coverage code D — Special coverage instructions apply. Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met.
Which diagnoses support coverage for B4160?
Medicare policy articles that cite B4160 list 21 covered ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes across 1 article. The most cited include E08.69 (Diabetes mellitus due to underlying condition with other specified complication), E09.69 (Drug or chemical induced diabetes mellitus with other specified complication), E10.69 (Type 1 diabetes mellitus with other specified complication). A listed diagnosis is necessary but not sufficient; the policy's other criteria still apply.
Related B41 codes
- B4100 — Food thickener, administered orally, per ounce
- B4102 — Enteral formula, for adults, used to replace fluids and electrolytes (e.g., clear liquids), 500 ml = 1 unit
- B4103 — Enteral formula, for pediatrics, used to replace fluids and electrolytes (e.g., clear liquids), 500 ml = 1 unit
- B4104 — Additive for enteral formula (e.g., fiber)
- B4105 — In-line cartridge containing digestive enzyme(s) for enteral feeding, each
- B4148 — Enteral feeding supply kit; elastomeric control fed, per day, includes but not limited to feeding/flushing syringe, administration set tubing, dressings, tape
- B4149 — Enteral formula, manufactured blenderized natural foods with intact nutrients, includes proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, may include fiber, administered through an enteral feeding tube, 100 calories = 1 unit
- B4150 — Enteral formula, nutritionally complete with intact nutrients, includes proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, may include fiber, administered through an enteral feeding tube, 100 calories = 1 unit
- B4152 — Enteral formula, nutritionally complete, calorically dense (equal to or greater than 1.5 kcal/ml) with intact nutrients, includes proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, may include fiber, administered through an enteral feeding tube, 100 calories = 1 unit
- B4153 — Enteral formula, nutritionally complete, hydrolyzed proteins (amino acids and peptide chain), includes fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, may include fiber, administered through an enteral feeding tube, 100 calories = 1 unit
- B4154 — Enteral formula, nutritionally complete, for special metabolic needs, excludes inherited disease of metabolism, includes altered composition of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and/or minerals, may include fiber, administered through an enteral feeding tube, 100 calories = 1 unit
- B4155 — Enteral formula, nutritionally incomplete/modular nutrients, includes specific nutrients, carbohydrates (e.g., glucose polymers), proteins/amino acids (e.g., glutamine, arginine), fat (e.g., medium chain triglycerides) or combination, administered through an enteral feeding tube, 100 calories = 1 unit
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Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under B4160
- Watch B4160 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for B4160
Sources: CMS HCPCS Level II release October 2026; CMS DMEPOS fee schedule; 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.