E1038 HCPCS code: Transport chair, adult size, patient weight capacity up to and including 300 pounds
E1038 is the HCPCS Level II code for transport chair, adult size, patient weight capacity up to and including 300 pounds. The 2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule pays $16.27 to $25.27 (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 rose 11% from 2022 to 2024 (157,120 to 173,674 services). In 2024, 2,176 suppliers billed Medicare for E1038 (rentals), serving 32,772 beneficiaries; New York, California, Florida accounted for 45% of services. Its average fee ranks 3 of 34 E10 codes billed RR (family range $15.15–$1,062.94); rural fees run 24% 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 | D1D — Wheelchairs |
| Added | 2003-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2006-01-01 |
2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule for E1038
| Modifier | Meaning | Lowest state fee | Highest state fee | Ceiling | Floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RR | rental (monthly) | $16.27 | $25.27 | — | — |
| State | Modifier | Fee | Rural fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| AK | RR | $22.72 | — |
| AL | RR | $19.04 | $22.72 |
| AR | RR | $19.04 | $22.72 |
| AZ | RR | $17.99 | $22.72 |
| CA | RR | $17.34 | $22.72 |
| CO | RR | $18.43 | $22.72 |
| CT | RR | $17.01 | $22.72 |
| DC | RR | $16.27 | $22.72 |
| DE | RR | $16.27 | $22.72 |
| FL | RR | $19.04 | $22.72 |
| GA | RR | $19.04 | $22.72 |
| HI | RR | $22.72 | — |
| IA | RR | $18.31 | $22.72 |
| ID | RR | $18.43 | $22.72 |
| IL | RR | $17.89 | $22.72 |
| IN | RR | $17.89 | $22.72 |
| KS | RR | $18.31 | $22.72 |
| KY | RR | $19.04 | $22.72 |
| LA | RR | $19.04 | $22.72 |
| MA | RR | $17.01 | $22.72 |
| MD | RR | $16.27 | $22.72 |
| ME | RR | $17.01 | $22.72 |
| MI | RR | $17.89 | $22.72 |
| MN | RR | $18.31 | $22.72 |
| MO | RR | $18.31 | $22.72 |
| MS | RR | $19.04 | $22.72 |
| MT | RR | $18.43 | $22.72 |
| NC | RR | $19.04 | $22.72 |
| ND | RR | $18.31 | $22.72 |
| NE | RR | $18.31 | $22.72 |
| NH | RR | $17.01 | $22.72 |
| NJ | RR | $16.27 | $22.72 |
| NM | RR | $17.99 | $22.72 |
| NV | RR | $17.34 | $22.72 |
| NY | RR | $16.27 | $22.72 |
| OH | RR | $17.89 | $22.72 |
| OK | RR | $17.99 | $22.72 |
| OR | RR | $17.34 | $22.72 |
| PA | RR | $16.27 | $22.72 |
| PR | RR | $25.27 | — |
| RI | RR | $17.01 | $22.72 |
| SC | RR | $19.04 | $22.72 |
| SD | RR | $18.31 | $22.72 |
| TN | RR | $19.04 | $22.72 |
| TX | RR | $17.99 | $22.72 |
| UT | RR | $18.43 | $22.72 |
| VA | RR | $19.04 | $22.72 |
| VI | RR | $22.72 | — |
| VT | RR | $17.01 | $22.72 |
| WA | RR | $17.34 | $22.72 |
| WI | RR | $17.89 | $22.72 |
| WV | RR | $19.04 | $22.72 |
| WY | RR | $18.43 | $22.72 |
How the E1038 fee compares
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Rank among 34 E10 codes billed RR (lowest = 1) | 3 |
| Family fee range (average of state fees) | $15.15–$1,062.94 |
| Rural fee uplift | 23.8% |
Who bills E1038 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Suppliers billing rentals | 2,176 |
| Suppliers billing purchases | — |
| Referring clinicians | 19,433 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 32,772 |
| States with claims | 54 |
| Share of services in top 3 states (New York, California, Florida) | 45% |
| Year | Suppliers | Beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2,267 | 29,906 |
| 2023 | 2,205 | 31,434 |
| 2024 | 2,176 | 32,772 |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for E1038, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 157,120 | 29,906 | $12.65 | $8.98 |
| 2023 | 168,610 | 31,434 | $13.41 | $9.58 |
| 2024 | 173,674 | 32,772 | $13.60 | $9.76 |
States with the most E1038 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 36,922 | $8.57 |
| California | 26,112 | $9.18 |
| Florida | 14,563 | $10.57 |
| New Jersey | 11,968 | $8.77 |
| Pennsylvania | 11,510 | $9.36 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| DME suppliers | 1 | Code Descriptor / CPT Instruction |
Medicare policy articles for this code
- A52497: Manual Wheelchair Bases - Policy Article (CGS Administrators, LLC (DME MAC) Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC (DME MAC)) — mentions this code in its coding guidance
- A52504: Wheelchair Options/Accessories - Policy Article (CGS Administrators, LLC (DME MAC) Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC (DME MAC)) — mentions this code in its coding guidance
What changed for E1038
- 2026-01-01: Average state fee (RR) rose 2.7%: $17.88 to $18.35
- 2003-01-01: E1038 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 E1038?
E1038 is the HCPCS Level II code for transport chair, adult size, patient weight capacity up to and including 300 pounds. Short descriptor: "Transport chair pt wt<=300lb".
How much does Medicare pay for E1038?
Under the 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule, non-rural state fees are RR (rental (monthly)): $16.27–$25.27. Rural fees can be higher.
Does Medicare cover E1038?
Coverage code D — Special coverage instructions apply. Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met.
Did the Medicare fee for E1038 change in 2026?
The average non-rural state fee for RR moved from $17.88 in 2025 to $18.35 in 2026 (+2.7%). CMS's next quarterly HCPCS and DMEPOS update takes effect January 1, 2027.
How many units of E1038 can be billed per day?
1 on DME suppliers (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related E10 codes
- E1002 — Wheelchair accessory, power seating system, tilt only ($463.44–$597.42)
- E1003 — Wheelchair accessory, power seating system, recline only, without shear reduction ($539.40–$647.25)
- E1004 — Wheelchair accessory, power seating system, recline only, with mechanical shear reduction ($596.22–$717.70)
- E1005 — Wheelchair accessory, power seating system, recline only, with power shear reduction ($647.36–$776.87)
- E1006 — Wheelchair accessory, power seating system, combination tilt and recline, without shear reduction ($792.95–$951.60)
- E1007 — Wheelchair accessory, power seating system, combination tilt and recline, with mechanical shear reduction ($998.21–$1,288.46)
- E1008 — Wheelchair accessory, power seating system, combination tilt and recline, with power shear reduction ($1,023.89–$1,288.57)
- E1009 — Wheelchair accessory, addition to power seating system, mechanically linked leg elevation system, including pushrod and leg rest, each
- E1010 — Wheelchair accessory, addition to power seating system, power leg elevation system, including leg rest, pair ($139.14–$168.59)
- E1011 — Modification to pediatric size wheelchair, width adjustment package (not to be dispensed with initial chair)
- E1012 — Wheelchair accessory, addition to power seating system, center mount power elevating leg rest/platform, complete system, any type, each ($139.14–$168.59)
- E1014 — Reclining back, addition to pediatric size wheelchair ($52.06–$62.41)
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Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under E1038
- Watch E1038 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for E1038
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.