New K-Codes for Wound Suction Pumps and Associated Dressings - Coding Guidelines

Posted July 08, 2011

New HCPCS codes have been created to describe wound suction pumps and the dressing sets associated with them. These new K-codes are effective for claims with dates of service on or after July 01, 2011. The new codes are:

K0743 - SUCTION PUMP, HOME MODEL, PORTABLE, FOR USE ON WOUNDS

K0744 - ABSORPTIVE WOUND DRESSING FOR USE WITH SUCTION PUMP, HOME MODEL, PORTABLE, PAD SIZE 16 SQUARE INCHES OR LESS

K0745 - ABSORPTIVE WOUND DRESSING FOR USE WITH SUCTION PUMP, HOME MODEL, PORTABLE, PAD SIZE MORE THAN 16 SQUARE INCHES BUT LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO 48 SQUARE INCHES

K0746 - ABSORPTIVE WOUND DRESSING FOR USE WITH SUCTION PUMP, HOME MODEL, PORTABLE, PAD SIZE GREATER THAN 48 SQUARE INCHES

Wound suction is provided with an integrated system of components. This system contains a pump (K0743) and dressing sets (K0744 - K0746). It does not include a separate collection canister (A7000), a defining component of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT). Instead, exudate is retained in the dressing materials. Therefore, wound suction systems are not classified as NPWT systems. These codes will be added to the Suction Pump LCD in a future revision to that policy.

Systems that do not contain all of the required components are not classified as wound suction systems. See below for component specifications.

Code K0743 describes a suction pump for wounds which provides controlled subatmospheric pressure that is designed for use with dressings (K0744 - K0746) without a canister.

Codes K0744 - K0746 describe an allowance for dressing sets that are used in conjunction with a stationary or portable suction pump (K0743) but not used with a canister. Each of these codes (K0744 - K0746) is used for a single, complete dressing change, and contains all necessary components, including but not limited to non-adherent porous dressing, drainage tubing, and an occlusive dressing which creates a seal around the wound site for maintaining subatmospheric pressure at the wound. These dressing sets are selected based upon wound size using the smallest size necessary to cover the wound. For multiple wounds located close together, a single large dressing must be used rather than multiple smaller dressing sets if it is possible to fit the wounds under a single larger dressing set.

Disposable wound suction system pumps must be coded A9270 (Noncovered item or service).

Supplies, including dressings, used with disposable wound suction systems must be coded as A9270 (Noncovered item or service).

Only products reviewed by the PDAC and placed on the product category list may use the NPWT codes E2402 and A6550.

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