Q0481 HCPCS code: Microprocessor control unit for use with electric ventricular assist device, replacement only
Q0481 is the HCPCS Level II code for microprocessor control unit for use with electric ventricular assist device, replacement only. The 2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule pays $17,463.78 to $19,210.18 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 outpatient hospital claims. Medicare volume fell 45% from 2022 to 2024 (116 to 64 services). In 2024, about 6 clinicians billed Medicare for Q0481 for 61 beneficiaries. Its average fee ranks 19 of 22 Q04 codes (family range $109.14–$110,374.73).
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | Q codes — Temporary codes |
| Coverage code | D — Special coverage instructions apply |
| Pricing indicator | 38 — DMEPOS: orthotics, prosthetics, prosthetic devices and vision services |
| BETOS category | D1F — Prosthetic and orthotic devices |
| Added | 2005-10-01 |
| Last action effective | 2013-01-01 |
2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule for Q0481
| Modifier | Meaning | Lowest state fee | Highest state fee | Ceiling | Floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | base fee | $17,463.78 | $19,210.18 | $21,317.37 | $15,988.03 |
| State | Modifier | Fee | Rural fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| AK | — | $17,463.78 | — |
| AL | — | $17,989.68 | — |
| AR | — | $17,987.99 | — |
| AZ | — | $17,463.78 | — |
| CA | — | $17,463.78 | — |
| CO | — | $18,125.09 | — |
| CT | — | $17,463.78 | — |
| DC | — | $17,463.78 | — |
| DE | — | $17,463.78 | — |
| FL | — | $17,989.68 | — |
| GA | — | $17,989.68 | — |
| HI | — | $17,463.78 | — |
| IA | — | $17,804.82 | — |
| ID | — | $17,463.78 | — |
| IL | — | $17,892.75 | — |
| IN | — | $17,892.75 | — |
| KS | — | $17,804.82 | — |
| KY | — | $17,989.68 | — |
| LA | — | $17,987.99 | — |
| MA | — | $17,463.78 | — |
| MD | — | $17,463.78 | — |
| ME | — | $17,463.78 | — |
| MI | — | $17,892.75 | — |
| MN | — | $17,892.75 | — |
| MO | — | $17,804.82 | — |
| MS | — | $17,989.68 | — |
| MT | — | $18,125.09 | — |
| NC | — | $17,989.68 | — |
| ND | — | $18,125.09 | — |
| NE | — | $17,804.82 | — |
| NH | — | $17,463.78 | — |
| NJ | — | $17,463.78 | — |
| NM | — | $17,987.99 | — |
| NV | — | $17,463.78 | — |
| NY | — | $17,463.78 | — |
| OH | — | $17,892.75 | — |
| OK | — | $17,987.99 | — |
| OR | — | $17,463.78 | — |
| PA | — | $17,463.78 | — |
| PR | — | $19,210.18 | — |
| RI | — | $17,463.78 | — |
| SC | — | $17,989.68 | — |
| SD | — | $18,125.09 | — |
| TN | — | $17,989.68 | — |
| TX | — | $17,987.99 | — |
| UT | — | $18,125.09 | — |
| VA | — | $17,463.78 | — |
| VI | — | $19,210.18 | — |
| VT | — | $17,463.78 | — |
| WA | — | $17,463.78 | — |
| WI | — | $17,892.75 | — |
| WV | — | $17,463.78 | — |
| WY | — | $18,125.09 | — |
How the Q0481 fee compares
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Rank among 22 Q04 codes (lowest = 1) | 19 |
| Family fee range (average of state fees) | $109.14–$110,374.73 |
| Rural fee uplift | — |
Who bills Q0481 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinicians billing (by place of service) | 6 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 61 |
| States with claims | 1 |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for Q0481, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 116 | 113 | $14,899.71 | $11,892.26 |
| 2023 | 84 | 80 | $15,552.99 | $12,387.73 |
| 2024 | 64 | 61 | $15,786.77 | $12,576.23 |
States with the most Q0481 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 53 | $12,952.88 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| outpatient hospital claims | 1 | Code Descriptor / CPT Instruction |
| practitioner claims | 1 | Code Descriptor / CPT Instruction |
What changed for Q0481
- 2026-01-01: Average state fee rose 2.0%: $17,458.51 to $17,807.68
- 2005-10-01: Q0481 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 Q0481?
Q0481 is the HCPCS Level II code for microprocessor control unit for use with electric ventricular assist device, replacement only. Short descriptor: "Microprcsr cu elec vad, rep".
How much does Medicare pay for Q0481?
Under the 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule, non-rural state fees are base (base fee): $17,463.78–$19,210.18. Rural fees can be higher.
Does Medicare cover Q0481?
Coverage code D — Special coverage instructions apply. Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met.
Did the Medicare fee for Q0481 change in 2026?
The average non-rural state fee moved from $17,458.51 in 2025 to $17,807.68 in 2026 (+2.0%). CMS's next quarterly HCPCS and DMEPOS update takes effect January 1, 2027.
How many units of Q0481 can be billed per day?
1 on outpatient hospital claims; 1 on practitioner claims (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related Q04 codes
- Q0477 — Power module patient cable for use with electric or electric/pneumatic ventricular assist device, replacement only ($932.39–$967.76)
- Q0478 — Power adapter for use with electric or electric/pneumatic ventricular assist device, vehicle type ($220.87–$229.21)
- Q0479 — Power module for use with electric or electric/pneumatic ventricular assist device, replacement only ($14,368.26–$14,943.26)
- Q0480 — Driver for use with pneumatic ventricular assist device, replacement only ($108,243.35–$119,067.63)
- Q0482 — Microprocessor control unit for use with electric/pneumatic combination ventricular assist device, replacement only ($5,469.98–$6,016.97)
- Q0483 — Monitor/display module for use with electric ventricular assist device, replacement only ($22,533.92–$24,787.32)
- Q0484 — Monitor/display module for use with electric or electric/pneumatic ventricular assist device, replacement only ($4,376.02–$4,813.57)
- Q0485 — Monitor control cable for use with electric ventricular assist device, replacement only ($422.47–$464.76)
- Q0486 — Monitor control cable for use with electric/pneumatic ventricular assist device, replacement only ($351.65–$386.80)
- Q0487 — Leads (pneumatic/electrical) for use with any type electric/pneumatic ventricular assist device, replacement only ($410.25–$451.27)
- Q0488 — Power pack base for use with electric ventricular assist device, replacement only
- Q0489 — Power pack base for use with electric/pneumatic ventricular assist device, replacement only ($19,535.67–$21,489.25)
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 Q0481
- Watch Q0481 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for Q0481
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.