A9280 — Alert or alarm device, not otherwise classified
A9280 is a HCPCS Level II code for alert or alarm device, not otherwise classified. It belongs to the Transportation, Medical & Surgical Supplies, Administrative section. Medicare does not pay it — see the coverage note below before you bill it.
Medicare coverage: Non-covered by statute
Excluded from coverage by the Social Security Act itself, not by a policy decision. No documentation and no appeal changes this one — an ABN is the relevant conversation.
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 statusN
Non-covered service. Medicare does not cover 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 A9280 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
- 0 — never payable MAI 3 — Date of Service Edit: Clinical · CMS Policy
- DME supplier
- 0 — never payable MAI 3 — Date of Service Edit: Clinical · CMS Policy
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 A9280
- Long descriptor
- Alert or alarm device, not otherwise classified
- Short descriptor
- Alert device, noc
- Added
- January 1, 2004
- BETOS
- Z2
- Pricing indicator
- 00 — Not priced by Part B
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.
Service not separately priced by Part B — not covered, bundled into another service, or used by Part A only.
Codes adjacent to A9280
HCPCS has no hierarchy — related items simply sit next to each other in the numbering. If A9280 is not quite right, the correct code is very often within a few positions of it.
- A9272Wound suction, disposable, includes dressing, all accessories and components, any type, each
- A9273Cold or hot fluid bottle, ice cap or collar, heat and/or cold wrap, any type
- A9274External ambulatory insulin delivery system, disposable, each, includes all supplies and accessories
- A9275Home glucose disposable monitor, includes test strips
- A9276Sensor; invasive (e.g., subcutaneous), disposable, for use with non-durable medical equipment interstitial continuous glucose monitoring system, one unit = 1 day supply
- A9277Transmitter; external, for use with non-durable medical equipment interstitial continuous glucose monitoring system
- A9278Receiver (monitor); external, for use with non-durable medical equipment interstitial continuous glucose monitoring system
- A9279Monitoring feature/device, stand-alone or integrated, any type, includes all accessories, components and electronics, not otherwise classified
- A9281Reaching/grabbing device, any type, any length, each
- A9282Wig, any type, each
- A9283Foot pressure off loading/supportive device, any type, each
- A9284Spirometer, non-electronic, includes all accessories
- A9285Inversion/eversion correction device
- A9286Hygienic item or device, disposable or non-disposable, any type, each
- A9291Prescription digital cognitive and/or behavioral therapy, fda cleared, per course of treatment
- A9292Prescription digital visual therapy, software-only, fda cleared, per course of treatment
Questions about A9280
What is HCPCS code A9280?
A9280 is a HCPCS Level II code for alert or alarm device, not otherwise classified. It sits in the Transportation, Medical & Surgical Supplies, Administrative section.
Does Medicare cover A9280?
The CMS HCPCS file marks A9280 as "Non-covered by statute". Excluded from coverage by the Social Security Act itself, not by a policy decision. No documentation and no appeal changes this one — an ABN is the relevant conversation.
How is A9280 paid under the physician fee schedule?
A9280 carries PFS status code N. Non-covered service. Medicare does not cover it.