L8690 HCPCS code: Auditory osseointegrated device, includes all internal and external components
L8690 is the HCPCS Level II code for auditory osseointegrated device, includes all internal and external components. The 2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule pays $5,717.38 to $6,289.09 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 2 per day on outpatient hospital claims. Its average fee ranks 36 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 | 2007-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2007-01-01 |
2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule for L8690
| Modifier | Meaning | Lowest state fee | Highest state fee | Ceiling | Floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | base fee | $5,717.38 | $6,289.09 | $6,978.96 | $5,234.22 |
| State | Modifier | Fee | Rural fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| AK | — | $5,717.38 | — |
| AL | — | $5,889.51 | — |
| AR | — | $5,888.96 | — |
| AZ | — | $5,717.38 | — |
| CA | — | $5,717.38 | — |
| CO | — | $5,933.87 | — |
| CT | — | $5,717.38 | — |
| DC | — | $5,717.38 | — |
| DE | — | $5,717.38 | — |
| FL | — | $5,889.51 | — |
| GA | — | $5,889.51 | — |
| HI | — | $5,717.38 | — |
| IA | — | $5,828.98 | — |
| ID | — | $5,717.38 | — |
| IL | — | $5,857.74 | — |
| IN | — | $5,857.74 | — |
| KS | — | $5,828.98 | — |
| KY | — | $5,889.51 | — |
| LA | — | $5,888.96 | — |
| MA | — | $5,717.38 | — |
| MD | — | $5,717.38 | — |
| ME | — | $5,717.38 | — |
| MI | — | $5,857.74 | — |
| MN | — | $5,857.74 | — |
| MO | — | $5,828.98 | — |
| MS | — | $5,889.51 | — |
| MT | — | $5,933.87 | — |
| NC | — | $5,889.51 | — |
| ND | — | $5,933.87 | — |
| NE | — | $5,828.98 | — |
| NH | — | $5,717.38 | — |
| NJ | — | $5,717.38 | — |
| NM | — | $5,888.96 | — |
| NV | — | $5,717.38 | — |
| NY | — | $5,717.38 | — |
| OH | — | $5,857.74 | — |
| OK | — | $5,888.96 | — |
| OR | — | $5,717.38 | — |
| PA | — | $5,717.38 | — |
| PR | — | $6,289.09 | — |
| RI | — | $5,717.38 | — |
| SC | — | $5,889.51 | — |
| SD | — | $5,933.87 | — |
| TN | — | $5,889.51 | — |
| TX | — | $5,888.96 | — |
| UT | — | $5,933.87 | — |
| VA | — | $5,717.38 | — |
| VI | — | $6,289.09 | — |
| VT | — | $5,717.38 | — |
| WA | — | $5,717.38 | — |
| WI | — | $5,857.74 | — |
| WV | — | $5,717.38 | — |
| WY | — | $5,933.87 | — |
How the L8690 fee compares
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Rank among 43 L86 codes (lowest = 1) | 36 |
| Family fee range (average of state fees) | $0.40–$23,640.75 |
| Rural fee uplift | — |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| outpatient hospital claims | 2 | Code Descriptor / CPT Instruction |
| practitioner claims | 2 | Code Descriptor / CPT Instruction |
What changed for L8690
- 2026-01-01: Average state fee rose 2.0%: $5,715.63 to $5,829.94
- 2007-01-01: L8690 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 L8690?
L8690 is the HCPCS Level II code for auditory osseointegrated device, includes all internal and external components. Short descriptor: "Aud osseo dev, int/ext comp".
How much does Medicare pay for L8690?
Under the 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule, non-rural state fees are base (base fee): $5,717.38–$6,289.09. Rural fees can be higher.
Does Medicare cover L8690?
Coverage code C — Carrier judgment. Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case.
Did the Medicare fee for L8690 change in 2026?
The average non-rural state fee moved from $5,715.63 in 2025 to $5,829.94 in 2026 (+2.0%). CMS's next quarterly HCPCS and DMEPOS update takes effect January 1, 2027.
How many units of L8690 can be billed per day?
2 on outpatient hospital claims; 2 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 L8690
- Watch L8690 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for L8690
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.