Q0491 HCPCS code: Emergency power source for use with electric/pneumatic ventricular assist device, replacement only
Q0491 is the HCPCS Level II code for emergency power source for use with electric/pneumatic ventricular assist device, replacement only. The 2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule pays $1,328.48 to $1,461.28 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. Its average fee ranks 13 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 Q0491
| Modifier | Meaning | Lowest state fee | Highest state fee | Ceiling | Floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | base fee | $1,328.48 | $1,461.28 | $1,621.61 | $1,216.20 |
| State | Modifier | Fee | Rural fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| AK | — | $1,328.48 | — |
| AL | — | $1,368.43 | — |
| AR | — | $1,368.33 | — |
| AZ | — | $1,328.48 | — |
| CA | — | $1,328.48 | — |
| CO | — | $1,378.80 | — |
| CT | — | $1,328.48 | — |
| DC | — | $1,328.48 | — |
| DE | — | $1,328.48 | — |
| FL | — | $1,368.43 | — |
| GA | — | $1,368.43 | — |
| HI | — | $1,328.48 | — |
| IA | — | $1,354.37 | — |
| ID | — | $1,328.48 | — |
| IL | — | $1,361.10 | — |
| IN | — | $1,361.10 | — |
| KS | — | $1,354.37 | — |
| KY | — | $1,368.43 | — |
| LA | — | $1,368.33 | — |
| MA | — | $1,328.48 | — |
| MD | — | $1,328.48 | — |
| ME | — | $1,328.48 | — |
| MI | — | $1,361.10 | — |
| MN | — | $1,361.10 | — |
| MO | — | $1,354.37 | — |
| MS | — | $1,368.43 | — |
| MT | — | $1,378.80 | — |
| NC | — | $1,368.43 | — |
| ND | — | $1,378.80 | — |
| NE | — | $1,354.37 | — |
| NH | — | $1,328.48 | — |
| NJ | — | $1,328.48 | — |
| NM | — | $1,368.33 | — |
| NV | — | $1,328.48 | — |
| NY | — | $1,328.48 | — |
| OH | — | $1,361.10 | — |
| OK | — | $1,368.33 | — |
| OR | — | $1,328.48 | — |
| PA | — | $1,328.48 | — |
| PR | — | $1,461.28 | — |
| RI | — | $1,328.48 | — |
| SC | — | $1,368.43 | — |
| SD | — | $1,378.80 | — |
| TN | — | $1,368.43 | — |
| TX | — | $1,368.33 | — |
| UT | — | $1,378.80 | — |
| VA | — | $1,328.48 | — |
| VI | — | $1,461.28 | — |
| VT | — | $1,328.48 | — |
| WA | — | $1,328.48 | — |
| WI | — | $1,361.10 | — |
| WV | — | $1,328.48 | — |
| WY | — | $1,378.80 | — |
How the Q0491 fee compares
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Rank among 22 Q04 codes (lowest = 1) | 13 |
| Family fee range (average of state fees) | $109.14–$110,374.73 |
| Rural fee uplift | — |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| outpatient hospital claims | 1 | Clinical: Data |
| practitioner claims | 1 | Clinical: Data |
What changed for Q0491
- 2026-01-01: Average state fee rose 2.0%: $1,328.06 to $1,354.62
- 2005-10-01: Q0491 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 Q0491?
Q0491 is the HCPCS Level II code for emergency power source for use with electric/pneumatic ventricular assist device, replacement only. Short descriptor: "Emr pwr source combo vad rep".
How much does Medicare pay for Q0491?
Under the 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule, non-rural state fees are base (base fee): $1,328.48–$1,461.28. Rural fees can be higher.
Does Medicare cover Q0491?
Coverage code D — Special coverage instructions apply. Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met.
Did the Medicare fee for Q0491 change in 2026?
The average non-rural state fee moved from $1,328.06 in 2025 to $1,354.62 in 2026 (+2.0%). CMS's next quarterly HCPCS and DMEPOS update takes effect January 1, 2027.
How many units of Q0491 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)
- Q0481 — Microprocessor control unit for use with electric ventricular assist device, replacement only ($17,463.78–$19,210.18)
- 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
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Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under Q0491
- Watch Q0491 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for Q0491
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.