A4452 — Tape, waterproof, per 18 square inches
A4452 is a HCPCS Level II code for tape, waterproof, per 18 square inches. It belongs to the Transportation, Medical & Surgical Supplies, Administrative section. Whether Medicare pays it depends on the coverage rule below.
Medicare coverage: Special coverage instructions apply
There are published conditions attached to this code. Check the applicable coverage policy before billing it: the code being valid is not the same as the service being covered.
From the coverage field of the CMS Alpha-Numeric HCPCS File, release 2026Q3-Jul. This states Medicare’s position on the code, not on your particular claim.
Physician fee schedule statusX
Statutory exclusion. The item or service is not within the statutory definition of 'physician services', so the fee schedule never pays it.
Global period: XXX
Want the dollar amount for your locality? The fee calculator applies your GPCI and the current conversion factor.
Medically Unlikely Edits — units per day
The most units of A4452 Medicare will pay on one date of service. Bill more on a single line and it is denied. The limit is not the same in every setting, so the row that matters is the one matching the claim you are building.
- practitioner
- 0 — never payable MAI 3 — Date of Service Edit: Clinical · CMS Policy
- outpatient
- 4 units MAI 3 — Date of Service Edit: Clinical · Clinical: Data
The adjudication indicator decides whether exceeding the limit is worth appealing at all: MAI 1 is a line edit you can support with documentation, MAI 3 is a date-of-service edit that is also appealable, and MAI 2 is absolute — no documentation overrides it. CMS MUE 2026Q3.
The CMS record for A4452
- Long descriptor
- Tape, waterproof, per 18 square inches
- Short descriptor
- Waterproof tape
- Added
- January 1, 2003
- BETOS
- D1F
- Pricing indicator
- 37 — DMEPOS
The official wording. This is what the code means.
CMS's 28-character form, which is what shows up on a remittance advice.
When CMS introduced the code.
Berenson-Eggers Type of Service — CMS's own analytic grouping.
Ostomy, tracheostomy and urological supplies. Price subject to floors and ceilings.
Codes adjacent to A4452
HCPCS has no hierarchy — related items simply sit next to each other in the numbering. If A4452 is not quite right, the correct code is very often within a few positions of it.
- A4432Ostomy pouch, urinary; for use on barrier with non-locking flange, with faucet-type tap with valve (2 piece), each
- A4433Ostomy pouch, urinary; for use on barrier with locking flange (2 piece), each
- A4434Ostomy pouch, urinary; for use on barrier with locking flange, with faucet-type tap with valve (2 piece), each
- A4435Ostomy pouch, drainable, high output, with extended wear barrier (one-piece system), with or without filter, each
- A4436Irrigation supply; sleeve, reusable, per month
- A4437Irrigation supply; sleeve, disposable, per month
- A4438Adhesive clip applied to the skin to secure external electrical nerve stimulator controller, each
- A4450Tape, non-waterproof, per 18 square inches
- A4453Rectal catheter with or without balloon, for use with any type transanal irrigation system, each
- A4455Adhesive remover or solvent (for tape, cement or other adhesive), per ounce
- A4456Adhesive remover, wipes, any type, each
- A4457Enema tube, with or without adapter, any type, replacement only, each
- A4458Enema bag with tubing, reusable
- A4459Manual transanal irrigation system, includes water reservoir, pump, tubing, and accessories, without catheter, any type
- A4461Surgical dressing holder, non-reusable, each
- A4463Surgical dressing holder, reusable, each
Questions about A4452
What is HCPCS code A4452?
A4452 is a HCPCS Level II code for tape, waterproof, per 18 square inches. It sits in the Transportation, Medical & Surgical Supplies, Administrative section.
Does Medicare cover A4452?
The CMS HCPCS file marks A4452 as "Special coverage instructions apply". There are published conditions attached to this code. Check the applicable coverage policy before billing it: the code being valid is not the same as the service being covered.
How is A4452 paid under the physician fee schedule?
A4452 carries PFS status code X. Statutory exclusion. The item or service is not within the statutory definition of 'physician services', so the fee schedule never pays it.