E0251 HCPCS code: Hospital bed, fixed height, with any type side rails, without mattress
E0251 is the HCPCS Level II code for hospital bed, fixed height, with any type side rails, without mattress. The 2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule pays $67.51 to $100.46 (RR, rental (monthly)) 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 1 per day on DME suppliers. Medicare volume fell 75% from 2022 to 2024 (3,765 to 959 services). In 2024, 60 suppliers billed Medicare for E0251 (rentals), serving 192 beneficiaries; Michigan, Maryland, Texas accounted for 45% of services. Its average fee ranks 19 of 34 E02 codes billed RR (family range $1.55–$263.61); rural fees run 14% higher.
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | E codes — Durable medical equipment |
| Coverage code | D — Special coverage instructions apply |
| Pricing indicator | 36 — DMEPOS: capped rental item |
| BETOS category | D1B — Hospital beds |
| Added | 1986-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 1991-01-01 |
2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule for E0251
| Modifier | Meaning | Lowest state fee | Highest state fee | Ceiling | Floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RR | rental (monthly) | $67.51 | $100.46 | — | — |
| State | Modifier | Fee | Rural fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| AK | RR | $87.69 | — |
| AL | RR | $71.12 | $77.35 |
| AR | RR | $71.12 | $84.54 |
| AZ | RR | $72.34 | $84.54 |
| CA | RR | $69.09 | $84.54 |
| CO | RR | $70.70 | $83.09 |
| CT | RR | $69.93 | $84.54 |
| DC | RR | $67.51 | $84.54 |
| DE | RR | $67.51 | $84.54 |
| FL | RR | $71.12 | $84.54 |
| GA | RR | $71.12 | $78.22 |
| HI | RR | $91.06 | — |
| IA | RR | $73.81 | $80.21 |
| ID | RR | $70.70 | $82.30 |
| IL | RR | $72.80 | $84.54 |
| IN | RR | $72.80 | $84.54 |
| KS | RR | $73.81 | $79.35 |
| KY | RR | $71.12 | $77.35 |
| LA | RR | $71.12 | $81.50 |
| MA | RR | $69.93 | $84.54 |
| MD | RR | $67.51 | $84.54 |
| ME | RR | $69.93 | $84.54 |
| MI | RR | $72.80 | $84.54 |
| MN | RR | $73.81 | $84.54 |
| MO | RR | $73.81 | $84.54 |
| MS | RR | $71.12 | $84.19 |
| MT | RR | $70.70 | $79.74 |
| NC | RR | $71.12 | $84.54 |
| ND | RR | $73.81 | $80.94 |
| NE | RR | $73.81 | $77.35 |
| NH | RR | $69.93 | $84.54 |
| NJ | RR | $67.51 | $80.60 |
| NM | RR | $72.34 | $77.35 |
| NV | RR | $69.09 | $84.54 |
| NY | RR | $67.51 | $80.57 |
| OH | RR | $72.80 | $83.17 |
| OK | RR | $72.34 | $77.35 |
| OR | RR | $69.09 | $77.35 |
| PA | RR | $67.51 | $84.54 |
| PR | RR | $100.46 | — |
| RI | RR | $69.93 | $84.54 |
| SC | RR | $71.12 | $77.35 |
| SD | RR | $73.81 | $84.54 |
| TN | RR | $71.12 | $78.38 |
| TX | RR | $72.34 | $84.54 |
| UT | RR | $70.70 | $84.54 |
| VA | RR | $71.12 | $77.37 |
| VI | RR | $80.55 | — |
| VT | RR | $69.93 | $84.54 |
| WA | RR | $69.09 | $81.48 |
| WI | RR | $72.80 | $81.93 |
| WV | RR | $71.12 | $81.16 |
| WY | RR | $70.70 | $84.54 |
How the E0251 fee compares
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Rank among 34 E02 codes billed RR (lowest = 1) | 19 |
| Family fee range (average of state fees) | $1.55–$263.61 |
| Rural fee uplift | 13.6% |
Who bills E0251 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Suppliers billing rentals | 60 |
| Suppliers billing purchases | — |
| Referring clinicians | 176 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 192 |
| States with claims | 17 |
| Share of services in top 3 states (Michigan, Maryland, Texas) | 45% |
| Year | Suppliers | Beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 66 | 747 |
| 2023 | 65 | 407 |
| 2024 | 60 | 192 |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for E0251, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3,765 | 747 | $49.47 | $35.87 |
| 2023 | 2,051 | 407 | $52.42 | $38.17 |
| 2024 | 959 | 192 | $55.24 | $39.43 |
States with the most E0251 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 201 | $40.06 |
| Maryland | 110 | $35.57 |
| Texas | 96 | $38.62 |
| Massachusetts | 74 | $39.07 |
| Alabama | 52 | $42.22 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| DME suppliers | 1 | Code Descriptor / CPT Instruction |
Medicare policy articles for this code
- A52508: Hospital Beds And Accessories - Policy Article (CGS Administrators, LLC (DME MAC) Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC (DME MAC)) — mentions this code in its coding guidance
What changed for E0251
- 2026-01-01: Average state fee (RR) rose 2.7%: $70.53 to $72.41
- 1986-01-01: E0251 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 E0251?
E0251 is the HCPCS Level II code for hospital bed, fixed height, with any type side rails, without mattress. Short descriptor: "Hosp bed fixd ht w/o mattres".
How much does Medicare pay for E0251?
Under the 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule, non-rural state fees are RR (rental (monthly)): $67.51–$100.46. Rural fees can be higher.
Does Medicare cover E0251?
Coverage code D — Special coverage instructions apply. Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met.
Did the Medicare fee for E0251 change in 2026?
The average non-rural state fee for RR moved from $70.53 in 2025 to $72.41 in 2026 (+2.7%). CMS's next quarterly HCPCS and DMEPOS update takes effect January 1, 2027.
How many units of E0251 can be billed per day?
1 on DME suppliers (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related E02 codes
- E0200 — Heat lamp, without stand (table model), includes bulb, or infrared element ($13.04–$237.31)
- E0201 — Penile contracture device, manual, greater than 3 lbs traction force ($14.65–$146.52)
- E0202 — Phototherapy (bilirubin) light with photometer ($75.19–$320.58)
- E0203 — Therapeutic lightbox, minimum 10,000 lux, table top model
- E0205 — Heat lamp, with stand, includes bulb, or infrared element ($25.87–$370.65)
- E0210 — Electric heat pad, standard ($3.73–$127.76)
- E0215 — Electric heat pad, moist ($8.98–$155.37)
- E0217 — Water circulating heat pad with pump ($66.95–$923.22)
- E0218 — Fluid circulating cold pad with pump, any type
- E0221 — Infrared heating pad system
- E0225 — Hydrocollator unit, includes pads ($46.40–$682.90)
- E0231 — Non-contact wound warming device (temperature control unit, ac adapter and power cord) for use with warming card and wound cover
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 E0251
- Watch E0251 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for E0251
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.