E1639 — Scale, each
E1639 is a HCPCS Level II code for scale, each. It belongs to the Durable Medical Equipment 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.
Medically Unlikely Edits — units per day
The most units of E1639 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 E1639
- Long descriptor
- Scale, each
- Short descriptor
- Scale, each
- Added
- January 1, 2002
- BETOS
- P9B
- 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 E1639
HCPCS has no hierarchy — related items simply sit next to each other in the numbering. If E1639 is not quite right, the correct code is very often within a few positions of it.
- E1625Water softening system, for hemodialysis
- E1629Tablo hemodialysis system for the billable dialysis service
- E1630Reciprocating peritoneal dialysis system
- E1632Wearable artificial kidney, each
- E1634Peritoneal dialysis clamps, each
- E1635Compact (portable) travel hemodialyzer system
- E1636Sorbent cartridges, for hemodialysis, per 10
- E1637Hemostats, each
- E1699Dialysis equipment, not otherwise specified
- E1700Jaw motion rehabilitation system
- E1701Replacement cushions for jaw motion rehabilitation system, pkg. of 6
- E1702Replacement measuring scales for jaw motion rehabilitation system, pkg. of 200
- E1800Dynamic adjustable elbow extension and flexion device, includes soft interface material
- E1801Static progressive stretch/patient actualized serial stretch elbow device, extension and/or flexion, with or without range of motion adjustment, includes all components and accessories
- E1802Dynamic adjustable forearm pronation/supination device, includes soft interface material
- E1803Dynamic adjustable elbow extension only device, includes soft interface material
Questions about E1639
What is HCPCS code E1639?
E1639 is a HCPCS Level II code for scale, each. It sits in the Durable Medical Equipment section.
Does Medicare cover E1639?
The CMS HCPCS file marks E1639 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.