A4212 Non‑coring Needle HCPCS: Reimbursement & Policy

HCPCS Level II code A4212 designates a non-coring needle or stylet with or without catheter used to access implanted ports and closed vascular access devices. Nationally, this code matters because it identifies a common medical supply critical to chemotherapy administration, long-term infusion therapy, and diagnostic contrast procedures. Precise coding of these supplies supports billing accuracy, inventory management, and clinical documentation across outpatient and procedural settings.

Key payers included in this analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical use and typical sites of service, common billing modifiers, and payer coverage considerations. The publication summarizes benchmarks for utilization and reimbursement where available, highlights relevant policy updates affecting supply billing, and provides clinical context for when A4212 is reported on claims.

This summary is intended for billing professionals, practice managers, and clinicians seeking a national-level reference for coding and claim preparation related to vascular access supplies.

Billing Code Overview

HCPCS Level II code A4212 describes a non-coring needle or stylet with or without catheter. This supply is used to access implanted ports or closed-system vascular access devices and to facilitate infusion, aspiration, or contrast injection during procedures.

Service type: Vascular access supply for infusion and device access
Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient departments, ambulatory surgery centers, infusion centers, and physician offices

Clinical Context

A patient with a long-term central venous access port or implanted venous reservoir presents to an outpatient infusion center for episodic access for chemotherapy, antibiotic therapy, or contrast injection. The patient is positioned supine. After sterile skin preparation and local anesthesia, a clinician uses a A4212 non-coring needle (Huber needle) to access the subcutaneous port septum. The needle is inserted at the appropriate angle to avoid coring the port membrane, secured, and connected to tubing for blood sampling, medication infusion, or contrast administration. After completion, the port is flushed and locked per protocol, the needle removed, and the site dressed. Typical sites of service include outpatient clinic, hospital outpatient department, ambulatory infusion center, or radiology suite for contrast injection procedures.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`00`	No modifier—default	Used when no other modifier applies to the service.
`25`	Significant, separately identifiable E/M service on same day	When a distinct evaluation and management visit is documented on the same day as port access with .

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`365100000X`	Vascular Surgery	Performs implantation, revision, and complex access of central venous ports.
`207R00000X`	Radiology — Diagnostic	Interventional radiologists place and access ports for imaging-guided injections.
`208D00000X`	General Surgery	Commonly manages port placement, maintenance, and access in surgical clinics.
`363L00000X`	Hematology/Oncology	Frequently performs port access for chemotherapy administration.
`363LP0800X`	Pain Management (Anesthesiology)	May access ports for pain management infusions and procedures.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`Z45.2`	Encounter for adjustment and management of vascular access device	Common reason for port access, maintenance, or interrogation using a non-coring needle.
`Z98.890`	Other specified postprocedural states	Used for patients with history of implanted devices such as venous port reservoirs requiring access.
`C80.1`	Malignant (primary) neoplasm, unspecified site	Oncology patients with ports commonly require access with `A4212` for chemotherapy.
`B96.89`	Other specified bacterial agents as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere	Patients with suspected central line-associated infections may have ports accessed for blood cultures using `A4212`.
`I82.409`	Acute embolism and thrombosis of unspecified deep veins of lower extremity	Patients with venous thromboembolism history may have central access via port for treatment needs.
`Z79.2`	Long term (current) use of antibiotics	Patients receiving long-term intravenous antibiotics often require port access with `A4212`.
`Z51.11`	Encounter for antineoplastic chemotherapy	Directly relevant for accessing implanted ports with `A4212` for chemotherapy administration.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`36561`	Insertion of tunneled centrally inserted central venous catheter, without subcutaneous port or pump, age 5 years or older	Related to central venous access procedures; port access with `A4212` may follow or be performed in same patient who previously had catheter insertion.
`36568`	Insertion of tunneled centrally inserted central venous catheter with subcutaneous port or pump, age 5 years or older	Directly related to the implantation procedure for which `A4212` non-coring needles are used for access.
`36415`	Collection of venous blood by venipuncture	Often performed before or after port access for laboratory sampling through the accessed port using `A4212`.
`96365`	Intravenous infusion, for therapy, prophylaxis, or diagnosis; initial, up to 1 hour	Infusions administered through port accessed with `A4212` frequently billed using infusion CPT codes.
`37015`	Introduction of needle or intracatheter into a vein for diagnostic injection, radiological supervision and interpretation	Radiologic injections using port access with `A4212` for contrast administration may be performed under this code.

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Summary & Overview

HCPCS Level II A4212: Non-coring Needle or Stylet with or without Catheter