Summary & Overview
HCPCS E0555: Humidifier Bottle for Oxygen Regulator or Flowmeter
HCPCS Level II code E0555 designates a durable humidifier bottle—glass or autoclavable plastic—used with oxygen regulators or flowmeters to humidify supplemental oxygen. Nationally, this supply supports respiratory care across inpatient, outpatient, and home settings by improving patient comfort and reducing airway irritation during oxygen therapy. The code is relevant for durable medical equipment billing and affects providers who supply or bill for oxygen delivery accessories.
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 billing implications, common modifier usage (listed separately), and the typical sites of service where E0555 is applied. The publication also outlines what to expect in terms of documentation and coding practice, and provides benchmarks where available.
This summary equips billing managers, DME suppliers, and revenue cycle staff with the essentials about E0555: what the code represents, where it is used, and which major national payers are typically involved. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable in detailed sections.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code E0555 describes a humidifier, durable, glass or autoclavable plastic bottle type, for use with regulator or flowmeter. This device is intended to deliver humidified gas when attached to oxygen regulators or flowmeters and supports respiratory therapy by reducing mucosal dryness associated with oxygen delivery.
Service type: Durable medical equipment (respiratory support accessory)
Typical site of service: Durable medical equipment settings, home health, outpatient clinics, and hospital inpatient units where supplemental oxygen therapy is administered.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult or pediatric individual receiving supplemental oxygen via a regulator or flowmeter in the home, outpatient clinic, or hospital. The clinician or durable medical equipment (DME) supplier provides a E0555 humidifier bottle to attach to an oxygen regulator or flowmeter when supplemental oxygen therapy is prescribed for conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, or acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. Workflow: the prescriber documents medical necessity and oxygen flow rate in the plan of care; the DME supplier dispenses the humidifier (glass or autoclavable plastic) with instructions for cleaning and use; the device is fitted to the patient’s regulator/flowmeter at the point of service (home delivery, outpatient DME pick-up, or inpatient respiratory therapy). Clinical follow-up includes assessment of secretions, airway comfort, and device integrity during routine respiratory visits or DME maintenance checks.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | Default/No modifier | Use when no specific modifier applies to the claim. |
22 |