Summary & Overview
HCPCS A6581: Gradient Compression Glove, Each
HCPCS Level II code A6581 designates a single gradient compression glove intended for edema control and lymphedema management. Nationally, this code matters because compression garments are commonly prescribed across multiple care settings for chronic venous insufficiency, post-surgical swelling, and lymphedema; accurate coding supports appropriate coverage, claims processing, and patient access to necessary durable medical equipment.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context and device purpose, reimbursement and coverage considerations as reflected by major payers, and operational benchmarks relevant to billing departments and DME suppliers. The publication also highlights common billing modifiers and coding considerations where available, notes gaps in publicly available taxonomy and diagnosis mapping, and identifies areas where policy updates or payer-specific documentation requirements typically affect claim adjudication.
This summary is written for a national audience and focuses on what the code represents, how it is used in clinical care and DME procurement, and the practical implications for billing and revenue cycle teams.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code A6581 describes a gradient compression glove, each. This item is a wearable compression garment designed to provide graded pressure along the hand and fingers to assist with edema control, lymphedema management, or venous/lymphatic support.
Service type: Durable medical equipment / compression garment
Typical site of service: Outpatient clinic, durable medical equipment supplier, home use
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A patient presents to an outpatient durable medical equipment (DME) supplier or a vascular clinic with symptoms of mild-to-moderate upper extremity lymphedema or chronic hand swelling following breast cancer treatment, lymph node dissection, radiation therapy, surgical trauma, or chronic venous insufficiency. The clinician documents the need for a fitted gradient compression glove to provide graded compression to the hand and fingers to reduce edema, improve function, and prevent skin breakdown. The workflow includes evaluation by a physician, advanced practice provider, or certified lymphedema therapist; measurement of the hand for sizing; selection of an appropriate A6581 gradient compression glove (one per hand, billed each); patient education on wear schedule and skin care; and documentation of diagnosis, prior conservative therapies, functional limitation, and medical necessity. Typical follow-up occurs in 2–6 weeks to assess fit, symptom improvement, and need for replacement or modification. Typical sites of service include outpatient DME supplier locations, outpatient clinics (vascular, oncology survivorship, rehabilitation), and home delivery by a DME provider.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
LT | Left side | When the compression glove is furnished for the left hand |
RT | Right side | When the compression glove is furnished for the right hand |
NU | New equipment | When the glove is a new, initial item provided to the patient |
RR | Rental | When reporting rental of covered items under a rental agreement (rare for gloves) |
UE | Durable medical equipment, used | When a used/refurbished glove is provided and payer allows |
22 | Increased procedural services | When unusually complex fitting, custom modification, or extensive medical documentation is required |
52 | Reduced services | When a partial supply or reduced service is furnished compared with standard |
53 | Discontinued procedure | When ordering is discontinued before delivery (use per payer rules) |
78 | Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period | Rarely applicable; use only if relevant to a billed procedural episode per payer policy |
80 | Assistant surgeon | Applicable in surgical settings when an assistant surgeon is required for a related operative procedure; not commonly used with A6581 |
| Taxonomy Code | Specialty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
251S00000X | Physical Therapist | Fits and trains patients in compression garment use; documents functional benefit |
261QM0800X | Physician Assistant | Orders DME and documents medical necessity under supervising physician |
207Q00000X | Orthotist/Prosthetist | Performs measurements and custom modifications for compression garments |
207L00000X | Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist | Supplies fitted compression gloves and performs adjustments |
207X00000X | Occupational Therapist | Assesses hand function and provides garment training and activity modification |
Related Diagnoses
| ICD-10 Code | Description | Clinical Relevance |
|---|---|---|
I87.2 | Venous insufficiency (chronic) (peripheral) | Chronic venous insufficiency can cause hand/forearm edema where compression gloves help manage swelling |
I89.0 | Lymphedema, not elsewhere classified | Primary diagnosis indicating need for gradient compression gloves to reduce lymphatic edema |
I97.2 | Postmastectomy lymphedema syndrome | Common indication after breast cancer surgery and axillary node dissection for fitted compression gloves |
M79.64 | Pain in hand | Symptom that may accompany swelling and be addressed indirectly by edema control with compression |
S59.92XA | Unspecified injury of wrist and hand, initial encounter | Post-traumatic swelling where temporary compression gloves may be indicated during recovery |
L98.4 | Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin of limb | When chronic edema contributes to skin breakdown, compression garments form part of edema management and skin protection |
Related CPT Codes
| CPT Code | Description | Relationship to This Procedure |
|---|---|---|
97001 | Physical therapy evaluation | Initial evaluation documenting edema, range of motion, and need for compression glove prior to DME provision |
97140 | Manual therapy techniques (eg, mobilization/manipulation) | Common adjunct therapy to reduce edema and improve hand mobility before or concurrent with glove use |
97530 | Therapeutic activities, direct one-on-one | Occupational therapy activities to restore hand function and train in ADLs while using compression glove |
97112 | Neuromuscular re-education | Used when neuromuscular deficits coexist and progress is coordinated with compression therapy |
99456 | Work-related or medical disability evaluation (impairment rating) | May be used for disability/impairment assessments where functional limitation from chronic swelling is documented |