Summary & Overview
HCPCS A4217: Sterile Water/Saline, 500 ml
HCPCS Level II code A4217 denotes a 500 ml container of sterile water or saline used for clinical irrigation, dilution, or other sterile fluid needs. This supply code matters nationwide because sterile irrigation fluids are routine across inpatient and outpatient settings, and consistent coding supports claims accuracy and supply cost tracking.
Key payers in discussions of A4217 include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the code’s clinical purpose, typical sites of service, and the payers commonly involved in coverage decisions. The publication outlines common billing practices, notable payer considerations, and benchmarks where available. It also provides context on related billing elements and service-line implications for hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and emergency departments.
This summary serves clinicians, coding professionals, and revenue cycle staff seeking a national-level reference for HCPCS Level II code A4217, including coding clarity, payer scope, and practical implications for supply management and claim submission.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code A4217 represents sterile water or saline in a 500 ml container intended for medical use. This supply is typically used for irrigation, dilution, or other clinical applications requiring sterile isotonic or sterile water solutions.
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Service type: Supply of sterile fluid for clinical use
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Typical site of service: Hospital inpatient and outpatient settings, ambulatory surgical centers, emergency departments, and other clinical sites where sterile irrigation or dilution is required
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient scenario involves an inpatient or outpatient setting where sterile water or saline in 500 mL volume is required for procedural use, irrigation, or intravenous dilution. For example, a postoperative general surgery patient with a surgical drain may require sterile saline irrigation of a wound cavity or drain tubing during dressing changes. In an emergency department scenario, a dehydrated adult may receive IV fluid bolus or continuous infusion for volume resuscitation when isotonic saline is not indicated and sterile water is used for device flushing or medication reconstitution. The clinical workflow includes order entry by the treating clinician, verification by pharmacy or nursing, aseptic preparation, administration by an RN or LPN under protocol or direct physician order, documentation of lot number and volume used, and disposal of unused portion per facility policy. Typical sites of service are hospital inpatient wards, hospital outpatient departments, emergency departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and skilled nursing facilities where sterile 500 mL fluid is used for irrigation, flushing, or medication preparation.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | Standard primary procedure | Rarely used as a modifier; indicates standard reporting when required by payer forms |
22 |