K0609 AED Garment Replacement Electrodes Reimbursement | OpenPayer

Summary & Overview

HCPCS K0609: Replacement Electrodes for Garment-Type AEDs

HCPCS Level II code K0609 denotes replacement electrodes for garment-type automated external defibrillators (AEDs). These electrodes are consumable components used with garment-style AED systems and are clinically important because they ensure readiness of AEDs in outpatient clinics, emergency response, and public-access settings. Nationwide, appropriate billing and supply management of AED electrodes affects timely access to life-saving defibrillation and influences inventory and cost controls for facilities that maintain garment-type AED systems.

Key payers in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise briefing on what the code covers, typical sites of service, and payer coverage context. The publication summarizes common reimbursement considerations, coding nuances, and operational implications for providers and supply managers. It also outlines where to look for benchmarks and policy updates relevant to durable medical equipment and AED consumables.

This overview serves clinicians, billing professionals, and administrators seeking a national-level reference for coding and operational planning for replacement AED electrodes under HCPCS Level II code K0609.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicareK0609HCPCS Level IIAED electrodesdurable medical equipmentmedical suppliesdefibrillationambulatory carebilling guidance

Billing Code Overview

HCPCS Level II code K0609 describes replacement electrodes for use with automated external defibrillator, garment type only, each. This item is a disposable or single-patient component designed to interface with garment-style automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to deliver defibrillation therapy.

Service Type: Durable medical equipment / AED consumable

Typical Site of Service: Outpatient settings, ambulatory clinics, emergency response, public access locations, and other non-inpatient environments where garment-type AEDs are used

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A typical patient scenario involves an outpatient clinic, first-responder program, occupational health department, or long-term care facility that maintains an automated external defibrillator (AED) garment system. A patient or staff member discovers that the AED garment electrode set has reached its manufacturer expiration date or has been damaged during use. The facility orders a replacement set of garment-type electrodes billed with K0609. The clinical workflow: inventory check or event report → verify electrode model and compatibility with the AED garment → order and receive replacement electrodes → document part number, lot, and expiration in the AED maintenance log and the patient or facility record if the electrodes were replaced after an actual use event. Billing occurs to the responsible payor or facility account; if electrodes were used during a treated cardiac arrest event, device part replacement may be reported alongside clinical encounter charges rather than as an isolated patient-service CPT code.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`00`	Default/No modifier	Used when no other specific modifier applies to the supply billing.
`52`

HCPCS K0044: Footrest Upper Hanger Bracket Replacement, Each

HCPCS-K0860-POWER-WHEELCHAIR-VERY-HEAVY-DUTY-451-600-LB

HCPCS K0860: Power Wheelchair, Very Heavy Duty, 451–600 lb

HCPCS-K0455-CONTINUOUS-PARENTERAL-INFUSION-PUMP

HCPCS K0455: Infusion Pump for Continuous Parenteral Medication

HCPCS-K0815-POWER-WHEELCHAIR-GROUP1-SLING-SEAT-UP-TO-300LBS

HCPCS K0815: Power Wheelchair Group 1, Sling/Solid Seat, ≤300 lb

HCPCS-K0808-POWER-OPERATED-VEHICLE-VERY-HEAVY-DUTY-451-600-LB

HCPCS K0808: Power Operated Vehicle, Very Heavy Duty (451–600 lb)

HCPCS-K0070-REAR-WHEEL-ASSEMBLY-PNEUMATIC-TIRE-REPLACEMENT

HCPCS Level II K0070: Rear Wheel Assembly with Pneumatic Tire

HCPCS-K0836-POWER-WHEELCHAIR-GROUP-2-CAPTAINS-CHAIR-300-LB

HCPCS K0836: Power Wheelchair Group 2, Captain's Chair, 300 lb Capacity

HCPCS-K0885-POWER-WHEELCHAIR-GROUP-4-CAPTAINS-CHAIR-300LB-CAPACITY

HCPCS K0885: Power Wheelchair Group 4, Captain's Chair, 300 lb Capacity

HCPCS-K0878-POWER-WHEELCHAIR-GROUP-4-STANDARD-300-LB-CAPACITY

HCPCS K0878: Power Wheelchair Group 4 Standard, Captain's Chair, up to 300 lb

HCPCS-K0835-POWER-WHEELCHAIR-GROUP-2-STANDARD-300LB-CAPACITY

HCPCS K0835: Power Wheelchair Group 2 Standard, 300 lb Capacity

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Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`174400000X`	Emergency Medicine	EDs maintain and replace AED electrodes for public and in-hospital AED systems.
`207L00000X`	Cardiovascular Disease (Cardiology)	Cardiology departments may manage AED/defibrillator supplies for monitoring programs.
`363LF0000X`	Paramedic	Prehospital services and first-responder organizations replace and bill for AED garment electrodes.
`251S00000X`	Nursing (Registered Nurse)	Occupational health and facility nursing staff manage AED maintenance and replacement supplies.
`261QM1100X`	Physician Assistant	PAs may order and bill for replacement device supplies within scope of practice.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`I46.9`	Cardiac arrest, cause unspecified	Relevant when AED garment electrodes are used during a cardiac arrest and require replacement after use.
`I49.01`	Ventricular fibrillation	Common arrhythmia requiring defibrillation with AED electrodes; replacement needed after therapy.
`I46.2`	Cardiac arrest due to underlying cardiac condition	Indicates cardiac arrest related to cardiac disease where AED electrodes may have been applied.
`I49.9`	Cardiac arrhythmia, unspecified	Used when an arrhythmia prompted AED use but specific rhythm is not documented.
`R55`	Syncope and collapse	AEDs may be applied for syncope with suspected arrhythmia; electrodes replaced after evaluation or use.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`93000`	Electrocardiogram, routine ECG with at least 12 leads; with interpretation and report	Performed when a patient has a cardiac event that led to AED use; documents rhythm before/after electrode application.
`92950`	Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (e.g., in cardiac arrest)	Represents the resuscitation event during which AED garment electrodes may have been used; supply replacement follows event.
`93229`	External cardioversion and/or defibrillation, noninvasive, by application of external alternating current or by delivery of cardioversion/defibrillation shocks (separate code for charged device use)	Billed when defibrillation is performed in a monitored setting and related device supplies are documented.
`99070`	Supplies and materials (except spectacles), provided by the physician over and above those usually included with the office visit	Used by practices to bill for replacement medical supplies such as AED electrodes when payors permit supply charge reporting.
`A0998`	Unlisted ambulance service (if needed for transport of device or patient)	Occasionally used when specialized transport or device couriering is required for replacement in remote settings.

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