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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDurable Medical EquipmentHCPCS hcpcs-e0550-durable-humidifier-oxygen-ippb
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    HCPCS Level II E0550: Humidifier for Extensive Supplemental Humidification

    HCPCS Level II code E0550 describes a durable humidifier intended for extensive supplemental humidification during intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) treatments or oxygen delivery, classified as durable medical equipment used in home health or acute care respiratory therapy settings to provide moisture to inspired gases and support airway comfort and secretion management during ventilatory or oxygen therapies.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Interferential Stimulation Devices (for home use), Prior Authorization for Durable Medical Equipment (DME), Breast Pumps.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A patient with chronic hypoxemic respiratory failure due to advanced COPD is discharged from the hospital requiring home oxygen therapy. To reduce airway drying and improve secretion clearance during continuous oxygen delivery, the durable humidifier E0550 is provided for use with the patient’s oxygen concentrator and during intermittent IPPB (intermittent positive pressure breathing) therapy prescribed by the pulmonologist. The respiratory therapist documents setup, patient education on device use and maintenance, and verifies oxygen flow compatibility during a home visit. Follow-up visits occur via home health nursing or outpatient pulmonary clinic to assess tolerance, need for replacement components, and outcomes such as reduced mucosal irritation and fewer respiratory infections.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    94640Pressurized or nonpressurized inhalation treatment for acute airway obstruction, with nebulizer, handheld device or intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB)IPPB therapy may be performed prior to or concurrent with humidifier use; documentation supports medical necessity for humidification
    94760Noninvasive ear or pulse oximetry for oxygen saturation (single determination)Used to assess oxygenation when initiating oxygen and humidifier therapy in the home or clinic
    99406Smoking and tobacco use cessation counseling, intermediate, greater than 3 minutes up to 10 minutesCommon counseling visit for patients with COPD receiving oxygen and humidification; addresses modifiable risk factors
    98960Education and training for patient self-management for a single chronic condition (30 minutes)Used by respiratory therapists or educators to document patient instruction on humidifier use, cleaning, and troubleshooting
    99070Supplies and materials (except spectacle lenses), provided by the physician or other qualified health care professional over and above those usually included with the office visit or procedureUsed when billing for additional disposable supplies related to humidifier setup

    Related Modifiers

    6 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    52Modifier ‑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…
    53Modifier 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…
    62Modifier 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…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    78CPT 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…
    80CPT® 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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    225100000XPhysical TherapistPhysical therapists (PTs) are licensed health care professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the very oldest, who…
    207RG0300XGeriatric Medicine (Internal Medicine) PhysicianAn internist who has special knowledge of the aging process and special skills in the diagnostic, therapeutic, preventive and rehabilitative aspects o…
    163W00000XRegistered Nurse(1) A registered nurse is a person qualified by graduation from an accredited nursing school (depending upon schooling, a registered nurse may receive…
    207RP1002XPhysician Nutrition Specialist (Internal Medicine)A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of primary nutritional diseases (e.g., undernutrition, overnutrition, and genetic or acquir…
    2084S0012XSleep Medicine (Psychiatry & Neurology) PhysicianA Psychiatrist or Neurologist who practices Sleep Medicine is certified in the subspecialty of sleep medicine and specializes in the clinical assessme…
    225000000XOrthotic FitterAn individual trained in the management of fitting prefabricated orthoses.
    103T00000XPsychologistA psychologist is an individual who is licensed to practice psychology which is defined as the observation, description, evaluation, interpretation, a…
    193400000XSingle Specialty GroupA business group of one or more individual practitioners, all of who practice with the same area of specialization.

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Durable Medical Equipment (DME)1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Interferential Stimulation Devices (for home use)Moda Health2026-10-01
    Prior Authorization for Durable Medical Equipment (DME)Blue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island2026-10-01
    Breast PumpsModa Health2026-09-01
    Personal Emergency Response SystemsCareSource Georgia2026-09-01
    Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) DevicesCigna2026-08-15
    Push-Rim Activated Power-Assist Device (E0986) — Manual Wheelchair Accessorymoda_health_plan_inc2026-08-13
    Beds and Mattresses (for Ohio Only)Colorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-08-01
    Beds and Mattresses (for Kentucky Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Pneumatic Compression Devices (for Nebraska Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Indications for Coverage — Hospital beds, support surfaces, and safety enclosure beds (DME)Colorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    HCPCS-E0100-CANE-DURABLE-MEDICAL-EQUIPMENT-AMBULATION

    HCPCS E0100: Cane, Adjustable or Fixed, With Tip

    HCPCS-E0105-CANE-QUAD-THREE-PRONG-MOBILITY-AID

    HCPCS Level II E0105: Cane, Quad or Three-Prong, Includes Tips

    HCPCS-E0110-FOREARM-CRUTCHES-PAIR-DME-MOBILITY

    HCPCS Level II E0110: Forearm Crutches, Pair, Complete with Tips and Handgrips

    HCPCS-E0111-CRUTCH-FOREARM-DURABLE-MEDICAL-EQUIPMENT

    HCPCS Level II E0111: Crutch, Forearm, With Tip and Handgrips

    HCPCS-E0112-UNDERARM-WOOD-CRUTCHES-PAIR

    HCPCS Level II E0112: Underarm Wooden Crutches, Pair

    HCPCS-E0113-CRUTCH-UNDERARM-WOOD-ADJUSTABLE-FIXED-WITH-PAD-TIP-HANDGRIP

    HCPCS Level II E0113: Crutch Underarm, Wood, Adjustable or Fixed

    HCPCS-E0114-UNDERARM-CRUTCHES-PAIR-ADJUSTABLE-FIXED

    HCPCS Level II E0114: Underarm (Axillary) Crutches, Adjustable or Fixed, Pair

    HCPCS-E0116-UNDERARM-CRUTCH-NON-WOOD-ADJUSTABLE-FIXED

    HCPCS E0116: Underarm Crutch, Non-Wood, Adjustable/Fixed with Pad

    HCPCS-E0117-ARTICULATING-SPRING-ASSISTED-UNDERARM-CRUTCH

    HCPCS Level II E0117: Crutch, Underarm, Articulating, Spring-Assisted

    HCPCS-E0118-LOWER-LEG-PLATFORM-CRUTCH-SUBSTITUTE

    HCPCS E0118: Crutch Substitute, Lower Leg Platform

    Showing 1–10 of 670

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 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. 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. 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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