Summary & Overview
HCPCS A6505: Compression Burn Garment, Glove to Elbow, Custom Fabricated
HCPCS Level II code A6505 designates a custom-fabricated compression burn garment consisting of a glove extending to the elbow. The code captures a specialized durable medical equipment item used in burn rehabilitation to manage scar formation, control edema, and improve functional outcomes. Nationally, custom compression garments are integral to multidisciplinary burn care and influence durable medical equipment utilization and coverage determinations.
Key payers discussed in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Coverage approaches vary across commercial plans and Medicare, with differences in prior authorization practices, documentation requirements for medical necessity, and supply allowances.
Readers will find a concise overview of the code’s clinical role, expected sites of service, and typical service line alignment. The publication outlines common billing and coverage considerations for custom-fabricated compression garments, benchmarks for utilization where available, and policy or coding updates relevant to documenting and billing A6505. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code A6505 describes a compression burn garment, glove to elbow, custom fabricated. This item is a custom-made compression sleeve and glove combination intended to provide therapeutic compression for burn-related scarring or edema from the hand up to the elbow.
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Service type: Custom-fabricated compression garment for burn care
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Typical site of service: Outpatient durable medical equipment setting, burn clinic, or outpatient specialty clinic where custom fabrication and fitting are performed
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 38-year-old patient with deep partial- and full-thickness thermal burns to the dorsal and palmar surfaces of the hand and forearm presents for post-acute rehabilitative care. After initial wound closure, grafting where indicated, and scar maturation over several weeks, the burn reconstruction team orders a custom-fabricated compression burn glove extending to the elbow to control hypertrophic scarring, reduce edema, and support ROM during rehabilitation. The orthotics vendor measures the hand and forearm in clinic; a certified prosthetist/orthotist or occupational therapist documents the need, fit checks, and training. The device is fabricated to patient-specific contours and delivered at a follow-up visit where fit, pressure distribution, and wear schedule are reviewed. Typical payors involved include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, BUCA, and Medicare. Typical sites of service are outpatient burn clinic, outpatient prosthetics/orthotics clinic, or a rehabilitation clinic; fabrication and fitting occur in clinic or a specialty DME supplier facility.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
LT | Left side | Use when the custom compression glove is for the left upper extremity. |
RT |