Summary & Overview
HCPCS A2038: Marigen pacto, Topical Therapy per Square Centimeter
HCPCS Level II code A2038 denotes an add-on billing entry for “Marigen pacto, per square centimeter,” a topical or surface-applied therapeutic product billed in proportion to the treated area. As an add-on code, A2038 is reported in addition to a primary procedure when a surface-based therapeutic agent is applied and measured by square centimeters. Nationally, accurate use of this code matters for consistent reporting of service intensity and for aligning claims with clinical documentation when area-based topical products are used.
Key payers examined in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. The publication outlines payer coverage patterns and coding guidance where available, and presents benchmarks and policy considerations relevant to add-on, area-based topical product billing.
Readers will find: a concise clinical description and typical sites of service, an overview of common modifiers and coding practice (where provided), and highlights of payer-specific coverage notes and reimbursement considerations. The report also flags gaps where data were not provided, helping billing managers and policy analysts identify areas requiring payer confirmation or documentation updates. This resource is intended for national audiences seeking clarity on billing, coding, and administrative practices associated with area-based topical therapeutic products billed using HCPCS Level II code A2038.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code A2038 describes Marigen pacto, per square centimeter (add-on, list separately in addition to primary procedure). This code represents an add-on topical or surface-applied therapeutic product that is billed in proportion to the treated surface area (per square centimeter).
Service Type: Topical therapeutic product applied per surface area
Typical Site of Service: Outpatient clinic or procedure room where topical or localized surface treatments are performed
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult outpatient with a localized dermatologic lesion or small wound requiring application of a topical biologic or engineered skin product billed per square centimeter. The clinical workflow begins with evaluation in a dermatology, wound care, or plastic surgery clinic: history, examination of the lesion or wound, and measurement of surface area in square centimeters. After conservative measures are deemed insufficient, the provider selects an advanced topical product, prepares the wound bed (debridement, hemostasis, irrigation), measures the exact treated area, and documents product name, lot number, and number of square centimeters applied. The product is applied to the wound or skin defect in clinic or ambulatory surgical center, secured as needed, and wound care instructions provided. Follow-up visits assess graft take, healing, and need for additional applications. Typical sites of service are outpatient clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, and wound care centers. Common clinical indications include non-healing ulcers, surgical defects, partial-thickness burns, and complex dermatologic defects where a per-square-centimeter biologic dressing is required. Typical modifiers used to report this add-on, per-square-centimeter supply include 00, 22, 52, 53, NU, RR, and UE to denote billing circumstances such as normal billing, increased procedural services, reduced services, discontinued procedures, new equipment, rental, and right upper extremity, respectively.