HCPCS Level II A4452: Waterproof Tape, 18 Square Inches

HCPCS Level II code A4452 identifies waterproof adhesive tape measured and billed per 18 square inches. This supply-level code is used for wound care and dressing securement when moisture resistance is clinically indicated. Nationally, supply codes like A4452 matter because they standardize billing for common consumables across outpatient clinics, home health agencies, and pharmacies, supporting reimbursement consistency and inventory management.

Key payers included in the analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context for use of waterproof tape, typical settings of service, standard modifiers that may appear on claims, and where to look for payer-specific coverage guidance. The publication summarizes reimbursement and billing considerations, common billing modifiers relevant to supply codes, and pragmatic notes on documentation and coding practice.

This resource provides payers' coverage context, coding purpose, and operational details to assist billing staff, clinicians, and administrators in identifying when A4452 is the appropriate line-item for waterproof tape dispensed or applied. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.

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Billing Code Overview

HCPCS Level II code A4452 describes waterproof tape sold per 18 square inches. The product is a waterproof adhesive tape intended for wound protection, dressing securement, or skin closure support when moisture resistance is needed.

Service type: Supply — wound care/adhesive dressing

Typical site of service: Outpatient clinics, physician offices, home health settings, and retail pharmacies where durable medical supplies and wound care products are dispensed or applied.

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HCPCS Level II A4452: Waterproof Tape, 18 Square Inches

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Get alerted when payer policies referencing A4452 are released or updated.

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Billing Code Overview

Service type: Supply — wound care/adhesive dressing

Typical site of service: Outpatient clinics, physician offices, home health settings, and retail pharmacies where durable medical supplies and wound care products are dispensed or applied.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A typical patient scenario involves an adult or pediatric patient with intact or superficial wounds where a waterproof adhesive tape is needed to secure dressings or provide minor wound closure support. For example, a patient presents to an urgent care clinic after a laceration was repaired with sutures; the clinician applies a sterile dressing and secures it with waterproof tape to protect the wound during bathing and daily activity. Alternatively, a patient undergoing outpatient surgical dressing change in a clinic or ambulatory surgery center requires additional A4452 waterproof tape per 18 square inches to reinforce adhesive dressings over a drainage site. The clinical workflow includes wound assessment, dressing selection, measurement of tape needed (billing in 18 square inch units), application of tape to secure the dressing, documentation of product and quantity in the medical record, and billing using HCPCS Level II code A4452 when supplies are separately billable from the professional service. Typical sites of service are outpatient clinics, urgent care centers, ambulatory surgery centers, and hospital outpatient departments.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`S01.81XA`	Laceration without foreign body of other part of head, initial encounter	Lacerations commonly require repair and dressing secured with waterproof tape for protection.
`S31.811A`	Laceration without foreign body of lower back, initial encounter	Superficial lacerations on the trunk frequently have dressings reinforced with waterproof tape.
`S41.011A`	Laceration of right shoulder without foreign body, initial encounter	Extremity lacerations after repair often use waterproof tape to secure dressings during healing.
`T81.4XXA`	Infection following a procedure, initial encounter	When dressing changes are performed for postoperative infection management, waterproof tape may be used to secure dressings.
`Laceration codes unspecified`	Various superficial skin wounds	Waterproof tape is broadly applicable to securing dressings for superficial wounds and postoperative sites.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`12001`	Simple repair of superficial wounds of scalp, neck, axillae, external genitalia, trunk and/or extremities (2.5 cm or less)	Commonly performed before application of waterproof tape to secure dressings over repaired lacerations; tape billed as supply adjunct.
`12021`	Intermediate repair of wound, scalp, neck, axillae, external genitalia, trunk and/or extremities; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cm	Used for deeper or layered laceration repairs where waterproof tape may be applied over the dressing as part of postoperative care.
`99070`	Supplies and materials (except spectacles), provided by the physician over and above those usually included with the office visit or procedure	Often used when payers require billing of supplies not separately listed; `A4452` is a specific supply code for waterproof tape but `99070` may be used for additional supplies.
`15260`	Application of skin substitute graft to trunk, arms, legs; first 100 sq cm or less	In wound management procedures, waterproof tape `A4452` may be used to secure dressings after graft application.
`97605`	Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) dressing change; simple (e.g., small)	Waterproof tape may be used to seal or reinforce NPWT dressings; billed separately as `A4452` when appropriate.

Related Modifiers

10 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
22	Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…	- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
26	Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…	- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
52	Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…	- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
53	Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…	- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
54	Modifier ‑54 (“Surgical care only”) is appended to a CPT surgical procedure when the reporting surgeon performs the intraoperative (surgical) component but does not furnish the preoperative and/or…	- Use modifier -54 when the reporting surgeon provided only the intraoperative (surgical) component of a procedure and preoperative and/or postoperative management has been or will be provided by…
55	Modifier –55 indicates the billing provider furnished only postoperative management for a procedure that has a global surgical period. According to AAPC, this modifier is appended to the same CPT…	- Use modifier -55 when billing the same CPT surgical code that has a 10- or 90-day global period and you, as a provider other than the original surgeon, furnished ONLY postoperative management (no…
62	Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…	- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
78	CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…	- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
80	CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…	- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…
82	Modifier 82 is appended to a surgical CPT code to indicate that an attending physician acted as an assistant because a qualified resident surgeon was unavailable. In teaching hospitals it documents…	- When to use: Append modifier 82 in teaching-hospital settings to indicate a physician served as an assistant surgeon because a qualified resident surgeon was unavailable (includes situations where…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207Q00000X	Family Medicine Physician	Family Medicine is the medical specialty which is concerned with the total health care of the individual and the family. It is the specialty in breadt…
207P00000X	Emergency Medicine Physician	An emergency physician focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the pre-hospit…
207L00000X	Anesthesiology Physician	An anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
207R00000X	Internal Medicine Physician	A physician who provides long-term, comprehensive care in the office and the hospital, managing both common and complex illness of adolescents, adults…
207X00000X	Orthopaedic Surgery Physician	An orthopaedic surgeon is trained in the preservation, investigation and restoration of the form and function of the extremities, spine and associated…
2084P0005X	Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Physician	A neurologist who specializes in the treatment of individuals with developmental delays and learning disorders associated with cerebral palsy, spina b…
364SX0106X	Occupational Health Clinical Nurse Specialist	Physician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Clinical Nurse Specialist
332BN1400X	Nursing Facility Supplies (DME)	Suppliers · Durable Medical Equipment & Medical Supplies

Related Codes

HCPCS-A4206-STERILE-SYRINGE-1CC-NEEDLE

HCPCS Level II A4206: Sterile Syringe with Needle, 1 cc or Less

HCPCS-A4207-STERILE-2CC-SYRINGE-WITH-NEEDLE

HCPCS A4207: Syringe with Needle, Sterile 2 cc, Each

HCPCS-A4208-STERILE-3CC-SYRINGE-WITH-NEEDLE

HCPCS Level II A4208: Syringe with Needle, Sterile 3 cc, Each

HCPCS-A4209-STERILE-SYRINGE-WITH-NEEDLE-5CC-OR-GREATER

HCPCS A4209: Syringe with Needle, Sterile 5 cc or Greater

HCPCS-A4210-NEEDLE-FREE-INJECTION-DEVICE

HCPCS A4210: Needle-Free Injection Device, Single

HCPCS-A4211-SUPPLIES-SELF-ADMINISTERED-INJECTIONS

HCPCS A4211: Supplies for Self-Administered Injections

HCPCS-A4212-NON-CORING-NEEDLE-STYLET-CATHETER-ACCESS-SUPPLY

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

HCPCS-A4213-STERILE-SYRINGE-20CC-OR-GREATER

HCPCS Level II A4213: Sterile Syringe, 20 cc or Greater

HCPCS-A4215-STERILE-NEEDLE-SINGLE-EACH

HCPCS Level II A4215: Sterile Needle, Single Use, Each

HCPCS-A4216-STERILE-DILUENT-FLUSH-10ML

HCPCS A4216: Sterile Diluent/Flush, 10 ml

Showing 1–10 of 633

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`S01.81XA`	Laceration without foreign body of other part of head, initial encounter	Lacerations commonly require repair and dressing secured with waterproof tape for protection.
`S31.811A`	Laceration without foreign body of lower back, initial encounter	Superficial lacerations on the trunk frequently have dressings reinforced with waterproof tape.
`S41.011A`	Laceration of right shoulder without foreign body, initial encounter	Extremity lacerations after repair often use waterproof tape to secure dressings during healing.
`T81.4XXA`	Infection following a procedure, initial encounter	When dressing changes are performed for postoperative infection management, waterproof tape may be used to secure dressings.
`Laceration codes unspecified`	Various superficial skin wounds	Waterproof tape is broadly applicable to securing dressings for superficial wounds and postoperative sites.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`12001`	Simple repair of superficial wounds of scalp, neck, axillae, external genitalia, trunk and/or extremities (2.5 cm or less)	Commonly performed before application of waterproof tape to secure dressings over repaired lacerations; tape billed as supply adjunct.
`12021`	Intermediate repair of wound, scalp, neck, axillae, external genitalia, trunk and/or extremities; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cm	Used for deeper or layered laceration repairs where waterproof tape may be applied over the dressing as part of postoperative care.
`99070`	Supplies and materials (except spectacles), provided by the physician over and above those usually included with the office visit or procedure	Often used when payers require billing of supplies not separately listed; `A4452` is a specific supply code for waterproof tape but `99070` may be used for additional supplies.
`15260`	Application of skin substitute graft to trunk, arms, legs; first 100 sq cm or less	In wound management procedures, waterproof tape `A4452` may be used to secure dressings after graft application.
`97605`	Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) dressing change; simple (e.g., small)	Waterproof tape may be used to seal or reinforce NPWT dressings; billed separately as `A4452` when appropriate.

Related Modifiers

10 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
22	Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…	- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
26	Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…	- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
52	Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…	- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
53	Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…	- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
54	Modifier ‑54 (“Surgical care only”) is appended to a CPT surgical procedure when the reporting surgeon performs the intraoperative (surgical) component but does not furnish the preoperative and/or…	- Use modifier -54 when the reporting surgeon provided only the intraoperative (surgical) component of a procedure and preoperative and/or postoperative management has been or will be provided by…
55	Modifier –55 indicates the billing provider furnished only postoperative management for a procedure that has a global surgical period. According to AAPC, this modifier is appended to the same CPT…	- Use modifier -55 when billing the same CPT surgical code that has a 10- or 90-day global period and you, as a provider other than the original surgeon, furnished ONLY postoperative management (no…
62	Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…	- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
78	CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…	- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
80	CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…	- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…
82	Modifier 82 is appended to a surgical CPT code to indicate that an attending physician acted as an assistant because a qualified resident surgeon was unavailable. In teaching hospitals it documents…	- When to use: Append modifier 82 in teaching-hospital settings to indicate a physician served as an assistant surgeon because a qualified resident surgeon was unavailable (includes situations where…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207Q00000X	Family Medicine Physician	Family Medicine is the medical specialty which is concerned with the total health care of the individual and the family. It is the specialty in breadt…
207P00000X	Emergency Medicine Physician	An emergency physician focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the pre-hospit…
207L00000X	Anesthesiology Physician	An anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
207R00000X	Internal Medicine Physician	A physician who provides long-term, comprehensive care in the office and the hospital, managing both common and complex illness of adolescents, adults…
207X00000X	Orthopaedic Surgery Physician	An orthopaedic surgeon is trained in the preservation, investigation and restoration of the form and function of the extremities, spine and associated…
2084P0005X	Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Physician	A neurologist who specializes in the treatment of individuals with developmental delays and learning disorders associated with cerebral palsy, spina b…
364SX0106X	Occupational Health Clinical Nurse Specialist	Physician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Clinical Nurse Specialist
332BN1400X	Nursing Facility Supplies (DME)	Suppliers · Durable Medical Equipment & Medical Supplies

Related Codes

HCPCS-A4206-STERILE-SYRINGE-1CC-NEEDLE

HCPCS Level II A4206: Sterile Syringe with Needle, 1 cc or Less

HCPCS-A4207-STERILE-2CC-SYRINGE-WITH-NEEDLE

HCPCS A4207: Syringe with Needle, Sterile 2 cc, Each

HCPCS-A4208-STERILE-3CC-SYRINGE-WITH-NEEDLE

HCPCS Level II A4208: Syringe with Needle, Sterile 3 cc, Each

HCPCS-A4209-STERILE-SYRINGE-WITH-NEEDLE-5CC-OR-GREATER

HCPCS A4209: Syringe with Needle, Sterile 5 cc or Greater

HCPCS-A4210-NEEDLE-FREE-INJECTION-DEVICE

HCPCS A4210: Needle-Free Injection Device, Single

HCPCS-A4211-SUPPLIES-SELF-ADMINISTERED-INJECTIONS

HCPCS A4211: Supplies for Self-Administered Injections

HCPCS-A4212-NON-CORING-NEEDLE-STYLET-CATHETER-ACCESS-SUPPLY

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

HCPCS-A4213-STERILE-SYRINGE-20CC-OR-GREATER

HCPCS Level II A4213: Sterile Syringe, 20 cc or Greater

HCPCS-A4215-STERILE-NEEDLE-SINGLE-EACH

HCPCS Level II A4215: Sterile Needle, Single Use, Each

HCPCS-A4216-STERILE-DILUENT-FLUSH-10ML

HCPCS A4216: Sterile Diluent/Flush, 10 ml

Showing 1–10 of 633

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.