A9272 Disposable Wound Suction Device | HCPCS Reimbursement

HCPCS Level II code A9272 represents a disposable wound suction device kit that includes the dressing and all accessories, billed per item. This code captures supply-based services used in wound drainage and single-use negative pressure applications. Nationally, accurate coding for single-use wound suction devices matters because it affects supply reimbursement, billing clarity for outpatient and home-based wound care, and proper documentation for device provision.

Key payers referenced in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of the code's clinical role, expected sites of service, and the kinds of services captured by the code. The publication outlines typical billing considerations, common modifier usage (listed separately), and places the code in clinical context for wound management teams and revenue cycle staff.

The report provides national benchmarks and policy-relevant observations where available, identifies gaps in payer coverage information, and summarizes implications for coding consistency. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.

Billing Code Overview

HCPCS Level II code A9272 describes a disposable wound suction device supplied as a complete kit that includes dressing, all accessories and components, any type, billed on a per-item basis. The service type is durable medical/suplly equipment and disposable wound management supply, typically used for wound drainage and negative-pressure wound therapy adjuncts where a single-use suction device is appropriate. Typical sites of service include outpatient wound care clinics, home health settings, and skilled nursing facilities where the device is provided for individual patient use.

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Clinical Context

A typical patient is an adult with a complex, non-healing surgical or traumatic wound requiring negative pressure wound therapy delivered via a single-use, disposable suction device. The patient presents to an outpatient wound clinic, home health visit, or emergency department for assessment after failing standard dressing changes. The clinician (wound care nurse or physician) evaluates wound size, depth, exudate, and surrounding skin, selects an appropriate disposable wound suction system described by A9272, applies the included dressing and components, and activates therapy. Dressing change and device replacement occur per manufacturer instructions (commonly every 48–72 hours or sooner for heavy exudate or infection). Documentation includes wound measurements, exudate character, pain level, reason for suction therapy, device model/lot, start date, and plan for duration. Typical sites of service are outpatient wound clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, hospital inpatient units, and emergency departments. Typical patient scenarios include postoperative dehisced wounds, pressure ulcers with heavy exudate, diabetic foot ulcers with copious drainage, or traumatic soft-tissue defects where temporary disposable suction is indicated.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when the work required to apply or manage the device is substantially greater than typical (extensive debridement, prolonged application time documented).

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`174100000X`	Wound Care Specialist	Clinicians specialized in complex wound management; frequently manage device selection and application.
`207P00000X`	Physician Assistant	PAs commonly perform device application in outpatient and inpatient settings.
`163W00000X`	Registered Nurse (Wound Care)	Wound care RNs or certified wound ostomy nurses perform dressing changes and manage disposable suction devices.
`207L00000X`	General Surgery	Surgeons place devices in operative or postoperative wound management scenarios.
`261QM0800X`	Home Health Agency (non-individual taxonomy)	Home health clinicians provide device setup and ongoing dressing changes in the patient’s residence.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`L89.303`	Pressure ulcer of sacral region, stage 3	Deep pressure ulcers with heavy exudate frequently require negative pressure suction devices for management.
`L97.421`	Non-pressure chronic ulcer of right heel and midfoot with partial thickness skin loss	Diabetic foot ulcers often produce copious drainage and may be managed with disposable wound suction systems.
`S81.811A`	Laceration without foreign body of left lower leg, initial encounter	Traumatic or post-surgical open wounds with significant drainage can be treated with disposable suction devices.
`T81.89XA`	Other complications of procedures, not elsewhere classified, initial encounter	Postoperative wound complications such as dehiscence or seroma that require temporary suction therapy.
`K57.31`	Diverticulitis of large intestine with perforation and abscess	Intra-abdominal or abdominal wall wound infections with external drainage requiring localized negative pressure dressings after source control.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`11042`	Debridement, subcutaneous tissue (eg, open wound), first 20 sq cm or less	Surgical debridement commonly performed prior to application of wound suction to remove necrotic tissue and reduce bioburden.
`97597`	Debridement (eg, high-pressure waterjet, sharp selective debridement), open wound, first 20 sq cm	Selective or sharp debridement in wound care visits may precede disposable suction device placement.
`29581`	Application of multi-layer compression system (e.g., for venous ulcers)	Compression therapy may be used in combination with or following suction therapy for venous insufficiency wounds when appropriate.
`97605`	Negative pressure wound therapy (e.g., vacuum-assisted drainage), total wound(s) surface area less than or equal to 50 sq cm; initial day	CPT describing negative pressure wound therapy services and may be reported when applicable alongside device supply depending on payer rules.
`99070`	Supply of medical items or devices, non-covered items, and supplies billed to Medicare when not included in services	Occasionally used for billing of supplies when payer-specific guidance requires it for disposable components not covered under device HCPCS.

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Summary & Overview

HCPCS A9272: Disposable Wound Suction Device Kit, Per Item