V5181 HCPCS code: Hearing aid, contralateral routing device, monaural, behind the ear (bte)
V5181 is the HCPCS Level II code for hearing aid, contralateral routing device, monaural, behind the ear (bte). Its Medicare coverage code is S (Non-covered by Medicare statute): Medicare is barred by law from covering it.
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | V codes — Vision, hearing and speech-language pathology services |
| Coverage code | S — Non-covered by Medicare statute |
| Pricing indicator | 00 — Not separately priced by Medicare |
| BETOS category | O1F — Hearing and speech services |
| Added | 2019-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2019-01-01 |
What changed for V5181
- 2019-01-01: V5181 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 V5181?
V5181 is the HCPCS Level II code for hearing aid, contralateral routing device, monaural, behind the ear (bte). Short descriptor: "Hearing aid monaural bte".
Does Medicare cover V5181?
Coverage code S — Non-covered by Medicare statute. Medicare is barred by law from covering it.
Related V51 codes
- V5100 — Hearing aid, bilateral, body worn
- V5110 — Dispensing fee, bilateral
- V5120 — Binaural, body
- V5130 — Binaural, in the ear
- V5140 — Binaural, behind the ear
- V5150 — Binaural, glasses
- V5160 — Dispensing fee, binaural
- V5170 — Hearing aid, cros, in the ear
- V5171 — Hearing aid, contralateral routing device, monaural, in the ear (ite)
- V5172 — Hearing aid, contralateral routing device, monaural, in the canal (itc)
- V5180 — Hearing aid, cros, behind the ear
- V5190 — Hearing aid, contralateral routing, monaural, glasses
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Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under V5181
- Watch V5181 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for V5181
Sources: CMS HCPCS Level II release October 2026; CMS DMEPOS fee schedule; 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.