Summary & Overview
HCPCS Level II A4248: Chlorhexidine Antiseptic, 1 ml
HCPCS Level II code A4248 denotes a 1 ml unit of chlorhexidine-containing antiseptic, a commonly used topical antiseptic for skin preparation before invasive procedures and wound care. As a supply-level code, A4248 matters nationally because antiseptic products are integral to infection prevention protocols across ambulatory, inpatient, and procedural settings, and supply-level coding affects claim detail and reimbursement for device and supply costs.
Key payers in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of clinical context for topical chlorhexidine use, typical sites of service where this supply is billed, and the common billing modifiers associated with supply and procedural lines. The publication summarizes how A4248 is reported on claims, common practice patterns for small-volume antiseptic units, and what to expect in payer coverage terminology.
The piece also covers benchmarks and policy-relevant considerations: national coding conventions for HCPCS Level II supply items, implications for claim adjudication, and areas where plan-level policies or medical necessity rules can influence payment. Data not available in the input is clearly noted where applicable, such as detailed payer-specific reimbursement rates and associated taxonomies.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code A4248 describes a chlorhexidine-containing antiseptic, 1 ml. This item is a single-use topical antiseptic solution typically used for skin preparation prior to invasive procedures, line insertion, wound care, or other settings requiring antiseptic application.
Service Type: Topical antiseptic supply
Typical Site of Service: Outpatient clinics, physician offices, hospital inpatient and outpatient units, ambulatory surgery centers, and other settings where topical antiseptic preparation is performed
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A patient presents to an outpatient clinic, ambulatory surgery center, or emergency department requiring skin antisepsis prior to a minor invasive procedure. Typical scenarios include intravenous catheter insertion, wound irrigation and dressing change, laceration repair, abscess incision and drainage, or preoperative prep for a minor dermatologic procedure. A nurse or medical assistant dispenses a measured amount (commonly 1 ml) of a chlorhexidine-containing antiseptic (A4248) to cleanse the procedure field. The clinical workflow: patient identification and consent, hand hygiene, selection of antiseptic, application of A4248 to the planned skin site using sterile technique, allow antiseptic to dry per product instructions, proceed with the procedure (e.g., IV placement, wound repair), document antiseptic product, volume, lot number if required, and site of application in the medical record. Typical site of service: outpatient clinic, ambulatory surgery center, emergency department, inpatient bedside, or physician office procedure room, depending on the procedure being performed.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier | Standard reporting when no modifier applies |