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HCPCS Level II · Composite dressings

A6204: composite dressing with border, pad more than 16 up to 48 sq. in.

A sterile composite dressing, with an adhesive border, pad more than 16 up to 48 sq. in., billed per dressing.

Illustration of an island gauze dressing and a transparent film dressingIllustration, not the exact product

At a glance

Billing unit
Each (per dressing)
Size band
Pad more than 16 up to 48 sq. in.
Adhesive border
With any size border; the pad size sets the code
PCSS products
1 line, 1 size

Official CMS descriptor

How CMS describes A6204

“Composite dressing, sterile, pad size more than 16 sq. in. but less than or equal to 48 sq. in., with any size adhesive border, each dressing”

Long descriptor, verbatim, from the CMS October 2026 Alpha-Numeric HCPCS File (updated September 23, 2026). Level II HCPCS codes and descriptors are maintained by CMS.
HCPCS Quarterly Update(opens in a new tab)
Code
A6204
Short descriptor
Composite drsg >16<=48 sq in
Code added
January 1, 1997
Action effective date
January 1, 2009
Status in this file
Active (no termination date)

PCSS products

What PCSS carries under A6204

PCSS suggests A6204 as the typical HCPCS category for these product sizes.

Pad size, not overall size. The CMS descriptor says “with any size adhesive border”, so the code follows the pad size, not the overall dressing size. The border isn't counted.

PCSS's suggested HCPCS categories (July 2026) are for reference only, based on product type and pad size. It's a reference, not a coding determination. Confirm final coding with your billing staff.

Sizes are shown as PCSS lists them. For a bordered dressing, check the pad's dimensions before choosing a band.

General product information, not clinical advice.

Size band

Pad size sets the band

CMS splits this dressing type into 3 bands: pad 16 sq. in. or less, pad more than 16 up to 48 sq. in. and pad more than 48 sq. in. Multiply the pad's length by its width: a 6×6 in. pad is 36 sq. in., which falls in A6204's band (more than 16 up to 48 sq. in.). For this bordered code, measure the pad only: the adhesive border isn't counted.

Codes in this series by size band
Size bandCode
Pad 16 sq. in. or lessA6203PCSS carries
Pad more than 16 up to 48 sq. in.A6204 (this page)
Pad more than 48 sq. in.A6205

Usual change frequency (LCD L33831)

Gauze, composites & film
Bordered gauze once per day; composites and film up to 3 times per week.

Listed for the PCSS product group, in PCSS's plain-words summary of the LCD.

LCD L33831(opens in a new tab)

Medicare notes for A6204

PCSS has no code-specific Medicare notes for A6204. The documentation checklist covers what dressing orders and notes need to show.

Medicare details checked against CMS sources on October 6, 2026. Not billing, coding or legal advice.

Related codes

Codes PCSS carries open their own page; the rest open in the full lookup.

Questions

A6204: common questions

Answers draw on the CMS descriptor, PCSS's suggested codes and the Medicare notes on this page.

What is HCPCS code A6204?

A6204 is a Level II HCPCS code. Its CMS long descriptor reads “Composite dressing, sterile, pad size more than 16 sq. in. but less than or equal to 48 sq. in., with any size adhesive border, each dressing”, and its short descriptor is “Composite drsg >16<=48 sq in” (October 2026 Alpha-Numeric HCPCS File, CMS).

What does PCSS suggest A6204 for?

PCSS suggests A6204 as the typical HCPCS category for Composite dressing (6×6). PCSS's suggested HCPCS categories (July 2026) are for reference only, based on product type and pad size. Confirm final coding with your billing staff.

Does the adhesive border count toward the pad size for A6204?

No. A6204's CMS descriptor says “with any size adhesive border”, so the code follows the pad size, not the overall dressing size; the border isn't counted. Confirm final coding with your billing staff.

How often are gauze, composites & film usually changed under Medicare?

Under LCD L33831, the usual change frequency for gauze, composites & film: Bordered gauze once per day; composites and film up to 3 times per week.

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