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HCPCS Level II · Specialty absorptive dressings

A6253: specialty absorptive dressing without border, pad more than 48 sq. in.

A sterile specialty absorptive wound cover, without an adhesive border, pad more than 48 sq. in., billed per dressing.

Illustration of a quilted super absorbent dressing padIllustration, not the exact product

At a glance

Billing unit
Each (per dressing)
Size band
Pad more than 48 sq. in.
Adhesive border
Without an adhesive border
PCSS products
1 line, 1 size

Official CMS descriptor

How CMS describes A6253

“Specialty absorptive dressing, wound cover, sterile, pad size more than 48 sq. in., without 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
A6253
Short descriptor
Absorpt drg > 48 sq in w/o b
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 A6253

PCSS suggests A6253 as the typical HCPCS category for these product sizes.

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.

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 8×8 in. pad is 64 sq. in., which falls in A6253's band (more than 48 sq. in.).

Codes in this series by size band
Size bandCode
Pad 16 sq. in. or lessA6251PCSS carries
Pad more than 16 up to 48 sq. in.A6252PCSS carries
Pad more than 48 sq. in.A6253 (this page)

Usual change frequency (LCD L33831)

Super absorbents
Up to once per day without a border; up to every other day with a border.

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 A6253

PCSS has no code-specific Medicare notes for A6253. 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.

Questions

A6253: common questions

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

What is HCPCS code A6253?

A6253 is a Level II HCPCS code. Its CMS long descriptor reads “Specialty absorptive dressing, wound cover, sterile, pad size more than 48 sq. in., without adhesive border, each dressing”, and its short descriptor is “Absorpt drg > 48 sq in w/o b” (October 2026 Alpha-Numeric HCPCS File, CMS).

What does PCSS suggest A6253 for?

PCSS suggests A6253 as the typical HCPCS category for Super absorbent (8×8). 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.

How often are super absorbents usually changed under Medicare?

Under LCD L33831, the usual change frequency for super absorbents: Up to once per day without a border; up to every other day with a border.

What size range does A6253 cover?

A6253 covers a pad of more than 48 sq. in. In the same series, A6251 covers a pad of 16 sq. in. or less and A6252 covers a pad of more than 16 up to 48 sq. in.

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