L8621 HCPCS code: Zinc air battery for use with cochlear implant device and auditory osseointegrated sound processors, replacement, each
L8621 is the HCPCS Level II code for zinc air battery for use with cochlear implant device and auditory osseointegrated sound processors, replacement, each. The 2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule pays $0.75 to $0.79 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 360 per day on outpatient hospital claims. Medicare volume fell 59% from 2022 to 2024 (252,490 to 104,445 services). In 2024, about 10 clinicians billed Medicare for L8621 for 267 beneficiaries. Its average fee ranks 2 of 43 L86 codes (family range $0.40–$23,640.75).
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | L codes — Orthotic and prosthetic procedures and devices |
| Coverage code | C — Carrier judgment |
| Pricing indicator | 38 — DMEPOS: orthotics, prosthetics, prosthetic devices and vision services |
| BETOS category | D1F — Prosthetic and orthotic devices |
| Added | 2005-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2016-01-01 |
2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule for L8621
| Modifier | Meaning | Lowest state fee | Highest state fee | Ceiling | Floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | base fee | $0.75 | $0.79 | $0.92 | $0.69 |
| State | Modifier | Fee | Rural fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| AL | — | $0.77 | — |
| AR | — | $0.77 | — |
| AZ | — | $0.75 | — |
| CA | — | $0.75 | — |
| CO | — | $0.79 | — |
| CT | — | $0.75 | — |
| DC | — | $0.75 | — |
| DE | — | $0.75 | — |
| FL | — | $0.77 | — |
| GA | — | $0.77 | — |
| IA | — | $0.77 | — |
| ID | — | $0.75 | — |
| IL | — | $0.77 | — |
| IN | — | $0.77 | — |
| KS | — | $0.77 | — |
| KY | — | $0.77 | — |
| LA | — | $0.77 | — |
| MA | — | $0.75 | — |
| MD | — | $0.75 | — |
| ME | — | $0.75 | — |
| MI | — | $0.77 | — |
| MN | — | $0.77 | — |
| MO | — | $0.77 | — |
| MS | — | $0.77 | — |
| MT | — | $0.79 | — |
| NC | — | $0.77 | — |
| ND | — | $0.79 | — |
| NE | — | $0.77 | — |
| NH | — | $0.75 | — |
| NJ | — | $0.75 | — |
| NM | — | $0.77 | — |
| NV | — | $0.75 | — |
| NY | — | $0.75 | — |
| OH | — | $0.77 | — |
| OK | — | $0.77 | — |
| OR | — | $0.75 | — |
| PA | — | $0.75 | — |
| RI | — | $0.75 | — |
| SC | — | $0.77 | — |
| SD | — | $0.79 | — |
| TN | — | $0.77 | — |
| TX | — | $0.77 | — |
| UT | — | $0.79 | — |
| VA | — | $0.75 | — |
| VT | — | $0.75 | — |
| WA | — | $0.75 | — |
| WI | — | $0.77 | — |
| WV | — | $0.75 | — |
| WY | — | $0.79 | — |
How the L8621 fee compares
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Rank among 43 L86 codes (lowest = 1) | 2 |
| Family fee range (average of state fees) | $0.40–$23,640.75 |
| Rural fee uplift | — |
Who bills L8621 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinicians billing (by place of service) | 10 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 267 |
| States with claims | 2 |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for L8621, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 252,490 | 751 | $0.64 | $0.44 |
| 2023 | 142,431 | 335 | $0.69 | $0.48 |
| 2024 | 104,445 | 267 | $0.71 | $0.52 |
States with the most L8621 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 94,553 | $0.51 |
| North Carolina | 6,806 | $0.56 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| outpatient hospital claims | 360 | Clinical: Data |
| practitioner claims | 360 | Clinical: Data |
Medicare policy articles for this code
- A53708: Billing and Coding: External Components for Cochlear Implants (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part B))
What changed for L8621
- 2026-01-01: Average state fee rose 2.1%: $0.75 to $0.76
- 2005-01-01: L8621 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 L8621?
L8621 is the HCPCS Level II code for zinc air battery for use with cochlear implant device and auditory osseointegrated sound processors, replacement, each. Short descriptor: "Repl zinc air battery".
How much does Medicare pay for L8621?
Under the 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule, non-rural state fees are base (base fee): $0.75–$0.79. Rural fees can be higher.
Does Medicare cover L8621?
Coverage code C — Carrier judgment. Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case.
Did the Medicare fee for L8621 change in 2026?
The average non-rural state fee moved from $0.75 in 2025 to $0.76 in 2026 (+2.1%). CMS's next quarterly HCPCS and DMEPOS update takes effect January 1, 2027.
How many units of L8621 can be billed per day?
360 on outpatient hospital claims; 360 on practitioner claims (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related L86 codes
- L8600 — Implantable breast prosthesis, silicone or equal ($764.47–$1,019.30)
- L8603 — Injectable bulking agent, collagen implant, urinary tract, 2.5 ml syringe, includes shipping and necessary supplies ($534.60–$539.27)
- L8604 — Injectable bulking agent, dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer implant, urinary tract, 1 ml, includes shipping and necessary supplies
- L8605 — Injectable bulking agent, dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer implant, anal canal, 1 ml, includes shipping and necessary supplies ($860.80–$946.86)
- L8606 — Injectable bulking agent, synthetic implant, urinary tract, 1 ml syringe, includes shipping and necessary supplies ($252.88–$281.84)
- L8607 — Injectable bulking agent for vocal cord medialization, 0.1 ml, includes shipping and necessary supplies ($51.53–$56.69)
- L8608 — Miscellaneous external component, supply or accessory for use with the argus ii retinal prosthesis system
- L8609 — Artificial cornea ($7,830.54–$8,127.00)
- L8610 — Ocular implant ($716.57–$955.43)
- L8612 — Aqueous shunt ($744.39–$974.58)
- L8613 — Ossicula implant ($314.80–$418.46)
- L8614 — Cochlear device, includes all internal and external components ($22,998.52–$24,149.06)
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Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under L8621
- Watch L8621 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for L8621
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.