L8515 HCPCS code: Gelatin capsule, application device for use with tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis, each
L8515 is the HCPCS Level II code for gelatin capsule, application device for use with tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis, each. The 2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule pays $75.84 to $83.45 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 1 per day on DME suppliers. Medicare volume fell 29% from 2022 to 2024 (45 to 32 services). In 2024, 3 suppliers billed Medicare for L8515 (purchases), serving 15 beneficiaries. Its average fee ranks 4 of 10 L85 codes (family range $2.66–$885.39).
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | L codes — Orthotic and prosthetic procedures and devices |
| Coverage code | C — Carrier judgment |
| Pricing indicator | 37 — DMEPOS: ostomy, tracheostomy and urological supplies |
| BETOS category | D1F — Prosthetic and orthotic devices |
| Added | 2005-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2005-01-01 |
2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule for L8515
| Modifier | Meaning | Lowest state fee | Highest state fee | Ceiling | Floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | base fee | $75.84 | $83.45 | $92.57 | $69.43 |
| State | Modifier | Fee | Rural fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| AK | — | $75.84 | — |
| AL | — | $78.14 | — |
| AR | — | $78.14 | — |
| AZ | — | $75.84 | — |
| CA | — | $75.84 | — |
| CO | — | $78.60 | — |
| CT | — | $75.84 | — |
| DC | — | $75.84 | — |
| DE | — | $75.84 | — |
| FL | — | $78.14 | — |
| GA | — | $78.14 | — |
| HI | — | $75.84 | — |
| IA | — | $77.37 | — |
| ID | — | $75.84 | — |
| IL | — | $77.74 | — |
| IN | — | $77.74 | — |
| KS | — | $77.37 | — |
| KY | — | $78.14 | — |
| LA | — | $78.14 | — |
| MA | — | $75.84 | — |
| MD | — | $75.84 | — |
| ME | — | $75.84 | — |
| MI | — | $77.74 | — |
| MN | — | $77.74 | — |
| MO | — | $77.37 | — |
| MS | — | $78.14 | — |
| MT | — | $78.60 | — |
| NC | — | $78.14 | — |
| ND | — | $78.60 | — |
| NE | — | $77.37 | — |
| NH | — | $75.84 | — |
| NJ | — | $75.84 | — |
| NM | — | $78.14 | — |
| NV | — | $75.84 | — |
| NY | — | $75.84 | — |
| OH | — | $77.74 | — |
| OK | — | $78.14 | — |
| OR | — | $75.84 | — |
| PA | — | $75.84 | — |
| PR | — | $83.45 | — |
| RI | — | $75.84 | — |
| SC | — | $78.14 | — |
| SD | — | $78.60 | — |
| TN | — | $78.14 | — |
| TX | — | $78.14 | — |
| UT | — | $78.60 | — |
| VA | — | $75.84 | — |
| VI | — | $83.45 | — |
| VT | — | $75.84 | — |
| WA | — | $75.84 | — |
| WI | — | $77.74 | — |
| WV | — | $75.84 | — |
| WY | — | $78.60 | — |
How the L8515 fee compares
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Rank among 10 L85 codes (lowest = 1) | 4 |
| Family fee range (average of state fees) | $2.66–$885.39 |
| Rural fee uplift | — |
Who bills L8515 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Suppliers billing rentals | — |
| Suppliers billing purchases | 3 |
| Referring clinicians | 4 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 15 |
| States with claims | 1 |
| Year | Suppliers | Beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 26 |
| 2023 | 1 | 16 |
| 2024 | 3 | 15 |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for L8515, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 45 | 31 | $65.12 | $52.01 |
| 2023 | 19 | 12 | $60.32 | $42.70 |
| 2024 | 32 | 14 | $60.37 | $47.18 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| DME suppliers | 1 | Clinical: Data |
| outpatient hospital claims | 1 | Clinical: Data |
| practitioner claims | 1 | Clinical: Data |
What changed for L8515
- 2026-01-01: Average state fee rose 2.0%: $75.82 to $77.33
- 2005-01-01: L8515 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 L8515?
L8515 is the HCPCS Level II code for gelatin capsule, application device for use with tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis, each. Short descriptor: "Gel cap app device for trach".
How much does Medicare pay for L8515?
Under the 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule, non-rural state fees are base (base fee): $75.84–$83.45. Rural fees can be higher.
Does Medicare cover L8515?
Coverage code C — Carrier judgment. Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case.
Did the Medicare fee for L8515 change in 2026?
The average non-rural state fee moved from $75.82 in 2025 to $77.33 in 2026 (+2.0%). CMS's next quarterly HCPCS and DMEPOS update takes effect January 1, 2027.
How many units of L8515 can be billed per day?
1 on DME suppliers; 1 on outpatient hospital claims; 1 on practitioner claims (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related L85 codes
- L8500 — Artificial larynx, any type ($704.63–$1,077.27)
- L8501 — Tracheostomy speaking valve ($107.37–$197.18)
- L8505 — Artificial larynx replacement battery / accessory, any type
- L8507 — Tracheo-esophageal voice prosthesis, patient inserted, any type, each ($50.34–$55.40)
- L8509 — Tracheo-esophageal voice prosthesis, inserted by a licensed health care provider, any type ($131.24–$144.37)
- L8510 — Voice amplifier ($303.69–$334.05)
- L8511 — Insert for indwelling tracheoesophageal prosthesis, with or without valve, replacement only, each ($87.41–$104.86)
- L8512 — Gelatin capsules or equivalent, for use with tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis, replacement only, per 10 ($2.59–$3.12)
- L8513 — Cleaning device used with tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis, pipet, brush, or equal, replacement only, each ($6.24–$7.46)
- L8514 — Tracheoesophageal puncture dilator, replacement only, each ($113.31–$136.01)
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 L8515
- Watch L8515 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for L8515
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.