HCPCS

# HCPCS Level II Includes Code Ranges That Consist of What Type Of Codes?

- March 19, 2025
- Posted by Brian Bertrand

19 Mar

HCPCS Level II plays an essential role in the medical billing system of any healthcare facility, whether big or small. These codes make it easier for healthcare providers and insurance firms to document and even bill other services, equipment and supplies in healthcare. It is therefore important to know code ranges for HCPCS Level II as well as the type of codes provided in each range.

Some often ask a question that is based on their type, and that is, how many digits do HCPCS codes contain? HCPCS Level II codes are always five characters long and necessarily begin with a letter and followed by four digits. These codes are used for services not CPT (Current Pro procedural Terminology) code; it includes durable medical equipment code, ambulance, drugs, and DME code for prosthetic devices.

## Understanding HCPCS Level II Codes

HCPCS known as the healthcare common procedure coding system is split into two levels, the first level and the second level.

- HCPCS Level I – This codeset comprises the standard CPTs because they describe procedures work and services carried out by doctors and other practitioners.
- HCPCS Level II – This level of codes is for medical items that a physician could not prescribe such as medical equipment, supplies as well as services of non-physician practitioners. These codes assist healthcare centers, clinicians and other stakeholders to be compensated for costs that are non-related to physicians’ services when billing with Medicare, Medica, and other private insurance carriers.

HCPCS Level II is the main subject here, as it is composed of specific code numbers with regard to different healthcare services and products.

## HCPCS Codes Have How Many Digits?

Whenever one is in doubt and asks the question how many digits are in HCPCS codes, The answer to the question will always be – five digits in alphanumerical form. HCPCS Level II code construction has followed a certain format, and it is as follows:

- First character – Always a letter (A-V).
- Next four characters – Numeric digits (0000-9999).

#### For example:

- J1050 – Medroxyprogesterone acetate injection
- E0601 – Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device
- A0428 – Ambulance service, basic life support

This five-character format thus makes it possible to have unity and ease in the medical billing and also claims.

## HCPCS Level II Includes Code Ranges That Consist of What Type of Codes?

HCPCS Level II consists of different code ranges, each beginning with a specific letter. These codes are mainly for clinical services by non-physicians, medical equipment, drugs, and supplies. The HCPCS Level II code ranges include:

#### A Codes – Ambulance Services and Medical Supplies

Includes the transportation in an ambulance, equipment like a wheelchair, or other things to be used at home.

> Example: A4352 (Intermittent urinary catheter).

#### B Codes – Enteral and Parenteral Therapy

Artifact used for nutritional therapy feeding of tubes, and feeding formulas.

> Example: B4150 (Enteral formula, standard).

#### C Codes – Temporary Codes for Hospital Outpatient Services

Special codes issued for the hospital outpatient services and products also known as positional codes.

> Example: C1883 (Implantable infusion pump).

#### E Codes – Durable Medical Equipment (DME)

Falls under durable medical equipment which comprises of wheelchairs, hospital beds, and oxygen equipment among others.

> Example: E0601 (CPAP machine for sleep apnea).

#### G Codes – Procedures/Professional Services (Temporary)

Igneous for Medicare professional services and procedures billing.

> Example: G0101 (Cervical or vaginal cancer screening).

#### J Codes of the drugs

These are administered other than the oral method:

It covers injectable, chemotherapy, and vaccine medications.

> Example: J1050 (Medroxyprogesterone acetate injection).

#### K Codes – Durable Medical Equipment for Medicare Patients

Especially for the clients who are taking Medicare services.

> Example: K0001 (Standard manual wheelchair).

#### L Codes – Orthotics and Prosthetics

Covers braces, artificial limbs, and orthopedic devices.

> Example: L1830 (Knee orthosis, immobilizer type).

#### P Codes – Pathology and Laboratory Services

Incorporates laboratory testing as well as pathologic examinations.

> Example: P3000 (Screening pap smear).

#### Q Codes – Temporary Codes for Medicare

Government assignment codes for the Medicare programs such as temporary codes for specific medical supplies and services.

For example, Q4100 Skin substitute, not otherwise specified.

#### V Codes – Vision and Hearing Services

They entail use of glasses and contact lenses for the visually impaired as well as hearing aids for the physically disable.

> Example: V2020 (Eyeglasses, frames only).

## The Importance of HCPCS Level II in Medical Billing

HCPCS Level II is known as the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System which is extremely important in medical billing and reimbursements as well as in claims. Due to the fact that several HCPCS Level II code ranges encompass medical supplies, services, and non-physician procedures, it has become the most commonly used for billing in Medicare, Medicaid, and insurance.

#### Key Benefits Include:

- Facilitating ‘first-dollar’ correct payment for health care service providers.
- Standardize the medical billing of non-physician services as follows:
- Claim errors and denial by the insurance companies will be minimized.

HCPCS codes are five digits, and because of this code number interpretation gives accurate identification on the service being billed or the product that has been furnished to the client.

## Common Challenges in Using HCPCS Level II Codes

HCPCS Level II codes are very important for appropriate medical billing and reimbursement, there are certain drawbacks associated with them that should be given due consideration by the healthcare providers and the coding and billing specialists. This can result in billing errors, claim denials, and financial losses in the event they are not well addressed. The other challenge that one would face while using HCPCS Level II codes is their volatility. These codes are not fixed; it is often changed, revised, or even deleted depending on the enhancement of technological applications, changes in health care policies, and the new standards of the code. CMS revises these codes every year, and therefore, for the same reason, a provider should always check on the current revised codes that are valid in order not to use a wrong code in the claims. Neglecting such improvements can mean that you introduce bugs in the code, make payments late, or get the claims denied.

The other problem area that is related but not exactly the same is claim denials that arise due to wrong coding. They established that even a small mistake, like typing an incorrect digit, including an outdated code, or checking an incorrect category, will result in denial of the insurance claim. Due to previous comments about HCPCS Level II containing code ranges for numerous medical supplies ten, MMSE and non-physician services informative post, it is imperative that the appropriate HCPCS Level II code selection must therefore be approached with extreme caution. Incorrect coding also brought about many administrative hassles, but not only that, it gives health care providers heavy losses as it costs them time and extra money to re-submit for appeal.

Changes in insurance policies make the usage of the HCPCS Level II code even more challenging because of diversities. Like many other insurers, both Medicare and Medicaid have unique billing codes and payment plans, and thus, some HCPCS Level II codes may be recognized by one insurer but not the other. This inconsistency creates much confusion for the billing specialists, and at times, in order to submit the claim, one has to learn the coverage policies on one’s own.

This reasons means that health care providers need to be sensitive with any change in the codes, Health care providers should also incrementally train their staffs and work with reliable codes. A number of additional measures should be taken, for example, the introduction of automated billing systems, the use of new coding manuals.

## Conclusion

HCPCS Level II part consists of code ranges for medical equipment and supplies, and non-physician services. As such, these codes are five characters long, whereby the first one is a letter and the second four are digits to enhance clarity in medical billing. Knowledge of HCPCS Level II and its code ranges aids the practitioners and other billing professionals in the documentation of medical necessity, reducing denial of claims and enhancing the overall claim-related processes.

Anyone who needs to work with HCPCS Level II codes will be able to understand what types of codes exist and the number of digits included in HCPCS codes.

## FAQs

### How many digits can health care professional medium code HCPCS Level II contain?

As we have noted, HCPCS Level II codes are always five characters long and consist of a letter mix of both upper and lower case and numbers.

### What type of codes does HCPCS Level II include?

HCPCS Level II contains codes of medical supplies, Durable Medical Equipment (DME) and non physicians’ services and drugs.

### Why are HCPCS Level II codes important?

They help create billing current charges for non-physicians’ services and other supplies, hence easing insurance claims.

### How often are HCPCS Level II codes updated?

HCPCS Level II codes are revised every year with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

### Do private insurers use HCPCS Level II codes?

Indeed, it is clear that private insurers currently employ CPT codes for medical supplies, DME, and outpatient products and services.

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