Summary & Overview
HCPCS A4495: Thigh-Length Surgical Stocking, Each
HCPCS Level II code A4495 designates a single thigh-length surgical stocking used for perioperative compression, venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, and postoperative edema control. Nationally, coverage and billing for compression garments can affect inpatient and outpatient surgical supply costs and discharge planning, making accurate coding important for supply chains and reimbursement workflows.
Key payers in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of what A4495 represents clinically and operationally, plus typical sites of service where the item is used. The publication outlines common billing considerations and benchmarks where available, and summarizes relevant policy context affecting coverage determinations and claims processing.
This summary equips coding and revenue teams, supply chain managers, and clinical program leads with the essential context to identify A4495 on supply lists and claims, understand payer coverage landscape at a national level, and locate detailed sections on billing practice, documentation expectations, and potential policy updates affecting surgical compression garments. Data not available in the input is noted where specific payer policies, fee benchmarks, or diagnosis linkages would normally appear.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code A4495 describes surgical stockings, thigh length, each. This item represents a single thigh-length compression stocking intended for surgical or perioperative use to provide graduated compression for venous thromboembolism prevention or post-surgical edema management.
Service type: Durable medical supply / compression garment
Typical site of service: Hospital inpatient or outpatient surgical settings, ambulatory surgical centers, and post-acute care environments
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A patient undergoing lower-extremity vascular surgery or orthopedic procedures may require A4495 — a single thigh-length surgical stocking supplied for compression and edema control in the perioperative period. Typical patients include adults scheduled for elective hip or knee arthroplasty, varicose vein procedures, or vascular bypass who are at risk for venous thromboembolism or significant postoperative leg swelling. The clinical workflow: preoperative assessment identifies need for graduated compression; the stocking is fitted and documented in the pre-op orders; the device is provided in the operating room or preoperative holding area and recorded in durable medical equipment or supply charges on the same date of service; nursing documents size, laterality if applicable, and patient education on wear and care; postoperative orders specify duration of use, and the stocking may be replaced or refitted during inpatient recovery or at follow-up clinic visits.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
LT | Left side | Use when the stocking is for the left lower extremity and payors require laterality reporting |
RT |