A6197 — Alginate or other fiber gelling dressing, wound cover, sterile, pad size more than 16 sq. in. but less than or equal to 48 sq. in., each dressing
HCPCS Level II A-code · short descriptor: “Alginate drsg >16 <=48 sq in”
- Code system
- HCPCS Level II
- Family
- A — Medical & surgical supplies, ambulance
- Medicare coverage status
- Special coverage instructions apply
- DMEPOS payment category
- Surgical dressings
- Prior authorization
- Not on Medicare required-PA list
- Status
- Active (April 2026 HCPCS)
Prior authorization
Not on the Medicare required-PA list as of the January 13, 2026 update (74 items). Medicare Advantage and commercial plans set their own prior-authorization rules for this code — verify per plan before delivery.
A6197 Medicare fee schedule (April 2026)
Base (no modifier) Surgical dressings
Medicare allowable ranges from $23.44 to $28.11 depending on state and rural status.
Former-CBA payment limits: ceiling $23.44 · floor $19.92
| State | Non-rural | Rural |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $23.68 | — |
| AL | $23.44 | — |
| AR | $23.44 | — |
| AZ | $23.44 | — |
| CA | $23.44 | — |
| CO | $23.44 | — |
| CT | $23.44 | — |
| DC | $23.44 | — |
| DE | $23.44 | — |
| FL | $23.44 | — |
| GA | $23.44 | — |
| HI | $25.30 | — |
| IA | $23.44 | — |
| ID | $23.44 | — |
| IL | $23.44 | — |
| IN | $23.44 | — |
| KS | $23.44 | — |
| KY | $23.44 | — |
| LA | $23.44 | — |
| MA | $23.44 | — |
| MD | $23.44 | — |
| ME | $23.44 | — |
| MI | $23.44 | — |
| MN | $23.44 | — |
| MO | $23.44 | — |
| MS | $23.44 | — |
| MT | $23.44 | — |
| NC | $23.44 | — |
| ND | $23.44 | — |
| NE | $23.44 | — |
| NH | $23.44 | — |
| NJ | $23.44 | — |
| NM | $23.44 | — |
| NV | $23.44 | — |
| NY | $23.44 | — |
| OH | $23.44 | — |
| OK | $23.44 | — |
| OR | $23.44 | — |
| PA | $23.44 | — |
| PR | $28.11 | — |
| RI | $23.44 | — |
| SC | $23.44 | — |
| SD | $23.44 | — |
| TN | $23.44 | — |
| TX | $23.44 | — |
| UT | $23.44 | — |
| VA | $23.44 | — |
| VI | $23.44 | — |
| VT | $23.44 | — |
| WA | $23.44 | — |
| WI | $23.44 | — |
| WV | $23.44 | — |
| WY | $23.44 | — |
Amounts are the Medicare DMEPOS fee-schedule allowables effective April 2026.
Medicare typically pays 80% of the allowable after the Part B deductible; the patient owes 20%.
A 2% sequestration reduction applies to the Medicare share. Former competitive-bidding-area
adjustments and non-continental rates can differ — verify with your DME MAC.
Common denial codes to watch
Related A-codes
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