E0550 HCPCS code: Humidifier, durable for extensive supplemental humidification during ippb treatments or oxygen delivery
E0550 is the HCPCS Level II code for humidifier, durable for extensive supplemental humidification during ippb treatments or oxygen delivery. The 2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule pays $60.73 to $118.04 (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 17% from 2022 to 2024 (1,544 to 1,275 services). In 2024, 61 suppliers billed Medicare for E0550 (rentals), serving 241 beneficiaries; Colorado, Minnesota, Illinois accounted for 76% of services. Its average fee ranks 11 of 13 E05 codes billed RR (family range $7.81–$150.24).
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | E codes — Durable medical equipment |
| Coverage code | D — Special coverage instructions apply |
| Pricing indicator | 33 — DMEPOS: oxygen and oxygen equipment |
| BETOS category | D1E — Other durable medical equipment |
| Added | 1986-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2005-07-01 |
2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule for E0550
| Modifier | Meaning | Lowest state fee | Highest state fee | Ceiling | Floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RR | rental (monthly) | $60.73 | $118.04 | $71.45 | $60.73 |
| State | Modifier | Fee | Rural fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| AK | RR | $97.94 | — |
| AL | RR | $60.73 | — |
| AR | RR | $60.73 | — |
| AZ | RR | $71.45 | — |
| CA | RR | $71.45 | — |
| CO | RR | $71.45 | — |
| CT | RR | $60.73 | — |
| DC | RR | $71.45 | — |
| DE | RR | $71.45 | — |
| FL | RR | $71.45 | — |
| GA | RR | $71.45 | — |
| HI | RR | $104.71 | — |
| IA | RR | $71.07 | — |
| ID | RR | $71.45 | — |
| IL | RR | $60.73 | — |
| IN | RR | $71.45 | — |
| KS | RR | $71.45 | — |
| KY | RR | $60.73 | — |
| LA | RR | $60.73 | — |
| MA | RR | $60.73 | — |
| MD | RR | $60.73 | — |
| ME | RR | $60.73 | — |
| MI | RR | $60.73 | — |
| MN | RR | $71.45 | — |
| MO | RR | $71.45 | — |
| MS | RR | $71.45 | — |
| MT | RR | $71.45 | — |
| NC | RR | $71.45 | — |
| ND | RR | $71.45 | — |
| NE | RR | $71.45 | — |
| NH | RR | $60.73 | — |
| NJ | RR | $71.45 | — |
| NM | RR | $60.73 | — |
| NV | RR | $71.45 | — |
| NY | RR | $71.45 | — |
| OH | RR | $60.73 | — |
| OK | RR | $60.73 | — |
| OR | RR | $60.73 | — |
| PA | RR | $71.45 | — |
| PR | RR | $118.04 | — |
| RI | RR | $60.73 | — |
| SC | RR | $64.05 | — |
| SD | RR | $71.45 | — |
| TN | RR | $71.45 | — |
| TX | RR | $71.45 | — |
| UT | RR | $68.43 | — |
| VA | RR | $60.73 | — |
| VI | RR | $71.44 | — |
| VT | RR | $60.73 | — |
| WA | RR | $60.73 | — |
| WI | RR | $60.73 | — |
| WV | RR | $60.73 | — |
| WY | RR | $71.45 | — |
How the E0550 fee compares
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Rank among 13 E05 codes billed RR (lowest = 1) | 11 |
| Family fee range (average of state fees) | $7.81–$150.24 |
| Rural fee uplift | — |
Who bills E0550 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Suppliers billing rentals | 61 |
| Suppliers billing purchases | — |
| Referring clinicians | 193 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 241 |
| States with claims | 10 |
| Share of services in top 3 states (Colorado, Minnesota, Illinois) | 76% |
| Year | Suppliers | Beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 128 | 319 |
| 2023 | 87 | 233 |
| 2024 | 61 | 241 |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for E0550, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1,544 | 319 | $47.68 | $36.14 |
| 2023 | 1,096 | 233 | $51.57 | $38.78 |
| 2024 | 1,275 | 241 | $54.33 | $41.09 |
States with the most E0550 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 419 | $43.10 |
| Minnesota | 389 | $41.88 |
| Illinois | 125 | $34.91 |
| Wisconsin | 105 | $38.50 |
| Texas | 65 | $43.73 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| DME suppliers | 1 | Code Descriptor / CPT Instruction |
What changed for E0550
- 2026-01-01: Average state fee (RR) rose 2.0%: $67.65 to $69.00
- 1986-01-01: E0550 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 E0550?
E0550 is the HCPCS Level II code for humidifier, durable for extensive supplemental humidification during ippb treatments or oxygen delivery. Short descriptor: "Humidif extens supple w ippb".
How much does Medicare pay for E0550?
Under the 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule, non-rural state fees are RR (rental (monthly)): $60.73–$118.04. Rural fees can be higher.
Does Medicare cover E0550?
Coverage code D — Special coverage instructions apply. Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met.
Did the Medicare fee for E0550 change in 2026?
The average non-rural state fee for RR moved from $67.65 in 2025 to $69.00 in 2026 (+2.0%). CMS's next quarterly HCPCS and DMEPOS update takes effect January 1, 2027.
How many units of E0550 can be billed per day?
1 on DME suppliers (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related E05 codes
- E0500 — Ippb machine, all types, with built-in nebulization; manual or automatic valves; internal or external power source ($132.97–$168.94)
- E0530 — Electronic positional obstructive sleep apnea treatment, with sensor, includes all components and accessories, any type ($37.12–$37.12)
- E0555 — Humidifier, durable, glass or autoclavable plastic bottle type, for use with regulator or flowmeter
- E0560 — Humidifier, durable for supplemental humidification during ippb treatment or oxygen delivery ($20.98–$225.28)
- E0561 — Humidifier, non-heated, used with positive airway pressure device ($8.46–$128.48)
- E0562 — Humidifier, heated, used with positive airway pressure device ($16.82–$316.53)
- E0565 — Compressor, air power source for equipment which is not self-contained or cylinder driven ($42.74–$82.96)
- E0570 — Nebulizer, with compressor ($6.09–$15.43)
- E0572 — Aerosol compressor, adjustable pressure, light duty for intermittent use ($29.16–$51.74)
- E0574 — Ultrasonic/electronic aerosol generator with small volume nebulizer ($48.76–$67.63)
- E0575 — Nebulizer, ultrasonic, large volume ($124.51–$159.48)
- E0580 — Nebulizer, durable, glass or autoclavable plastic, bottle type, for use with regulator or flowmeter ($16.47–$182.27)
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 E0550
- Watch E0550 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for E0550
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.