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    OpenPayerBilling CodesDurable medical equipment (DME) Medicare administrative contractors (MACs)HCPCS hcpcs-k0744-absorptive-wound-dressing-home-portable-pad-16sqin-or-less
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    HCPCS Level II K0744: Absorptive Wound Dressing for Home Portable Suction

    HCPCS Level II code K0744 describes an absorptive wound dressing designed for use with a home-model portable suction pump, specified as a pad 16 square inches or less; this supply is billed as a durable medical equipment/supplies item for wound care and is typically supplied for home health use with portable negative-pressure suction devices.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Interferential Stimulation Devices (for home use), Durable Medical Equipment (DME): Tumor Treating Fields (Alternating Electric Field Therapy) Medical Guideline, Durable Medical Equipment (DME): Bone Growth Stimulators Medical Guideline.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an adult with a chronic or complex wound managed at home who requires negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) using a portable suction pump. The dressing described by K0744 is an absorptive pad, 16 square inches or less, intended to interface between the wound bed and the NPWT canister/tubing on a home-model portable device. A realistic scenario: a 68-year-old patient with a stage 3 pressure ulcer on the sacrum following limited mobility is discharged from an acute care hospital with a portable NPWT system. A home health nurse visits to apply and secure the K0744 pad to the wound, connect tubing to the patient’s portable suction pump, educate the patient and caregiver on device alarms and dressing change frequency, monitor exudate and skin integrity, and document dressing changes in the home health record. Typical workflow steps include wound assessment, measurement and photography, dressing selection and application, device setup and verification of negative pressure, patient/caregiver teaching, and scheduled dressing change or as-needed evaluation for complications such as increased drainage or device malfunction. The typical site of service is the patient’s home or other domiciliary settings using a portable home suction pump. This service supports ongoing outpatient wound management and reduces the need for clinic-based NPWT when the patient is medically stable for home care.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    97605Negative pressure wound therapy (e.g., vacuum-assisted drainage), including topical application(s), wound assessment, and instruction for use; total wound(s) surface area greater than 50 sq cm to 150 sq cmUsed in outpatient or home health settings when NPWT is provided and billed as a procedure; complements supply billing for K0744 when services include wound care delivery.
    97606Negative pressure wound therapy (e.g., vacuum-assisted drainage), including topical application(s), wound assessment, and instruction for use; total wound(s) surface area greater than 150 sq cmApplies when wound size exceeds the smaller NPWT thresholds; helps document procedural NPWT services when larger dressings are required.
    11042Debridement, subcutaneous tissue (includes local anesthesia, when performed)Debridement procedures often precede NPWT application; relevant when surgical or sharp debridement is performed before placing the K0744 dressing.
    11043Debridement, muscle and/or fasciaUsed for deeper debridement prior to NPWT for complex wounds.
    97597Debridement (e.g., selective debridement, without anesthesia), open wounds, first 20 sq cm or lessDebridement commonly performed in outpatient/wound clinic settings prior to initiating NPWT; supports clinical necessity for supply use.

    Related Modifiers

    10 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    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…
    54Modifier ‑54 (“Surgical care only”) is appended to a CPT surgical procedure when the reporting surgeon performs the intraoperative (surgical) component but does not furnish the preoperative and/or…- Use modifier -54 when the reporting surgeon provided only the intraoperative (surgical) component of a procedure and preoperative and/or postoperative management has been or will be provided by…
    55Modifier –55 indicates the billing provider furnished only postoperative management for a procedure that has a global surgical period. According to AAPC, this modifier is appended to the same CPT…- Use modifier -55 when billing the same CPT surgical code that has a 10- or 90-day global period and you, as a provider other than the original surgeon, furnished ONLY postoperative management (no…
    56Modifier ‑56 indicates the reporting provider furnished only the preoperative management for a surgical procedure and did not perform the intraoperative or postoperative care. It is used in…- Use Modifier -56 when a provider performs only the preoperative management in a split‑care situation (one physician manages preop care while a different physician performs the intraoperative…
    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…
    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…
    82Modifier 82 is appended to a surgical CPT code to indicate that an attending physician acted as an assistant because a qualified resident surgeon was unavailable. In teaching hospitals it documents…- When to use: Append modifier 82 in teaching-hospital settings to indicate a physician served as an assistant surgeon because a qualified resident surgeon was unavailable (includes situations where…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    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…
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    363A00000XPhysician AssistantA physician assistant is a person who has successfully completed an accredited education program for physician assistant, is licensed by the state and…
    3336I0012XInstitutional PharmacyA pharmacy in a hospital (inpatient) or institution used by pharmacists for the compounding and delivery of medicinal preparations to be administered …
    133VN1501XSports Dietetics Nutrition Registered DietitianAn individual who is a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics and applies evidence-based nutrition knowledge in exercise and sports. RDNs spec…
    261QR0405XSubstance Use Disorder Rehabilitation Clinic/CenterAmbulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
    385H00000XRespite CareRespite Care Facility · Respite Care
    2084N0402XNeurology with Special Qualifications in Child Neurology PhysicianA Child Neurologist specializes in neurology with special skills in diagnosis and treatment of neurologic disorders of the neonatal period, infancy, e…

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Durable Medical Equipment (DME)1 / 3

    5 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Interferential Stimulation Devices (for home use)Moda Health2026-10-01
    Durable Medical Equipment (DME): Tumor Treating Fields (Alternating Electric Field Therapy) Medical GuidelineWPS Health Insurance2026-10-01
    Durable Medical Equipment (DME): Bone Growth Stimulators Medical GuidelineWPS Health Insurance2026-10-01
    General Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Medical GuidelineWPS Health Insurance2026-10-01
    Prior Authorization for Durable Medical Equipment (DME)Blue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    HCPCS-K0001-STANDARD-WHEELCHAIR-DURABLE-MEDICAL-EQUIPMENT

    HCPCS K0001: Standard Wheelchair

    HCPCS-K0002-STANDARD-HEMI-LOW-SEAT-WHEELCHAIR

    HCPCS K0002: Standard Hemi (Low Seat) Wheelchair

    HCPCS-K0003-LIGHTWEIGHT-WHEELCHAIR

    HCPCS K0003: Lightweight Wheelchair

    HCPCS-K0004-HIGH-STRENGTH-LIGHTWEIGHT-WHEELCHAIR

    HCPCS K0004: High Strength, Lightweight Wheelchair

    HCPCS-K0005-ULTRALIGHTWEIGHT-WHEELCHAIR

    HCPCS Level II K0005: Ultralightweight Wheelchair

    HCPCS-K0006-HEAVY-DUTY-WHEELCHAIR

    HCPCS Level II K0006: Heavy Duty Wheelchair

    HCPCS-K0007-EXTRA-HEAVY-DUTY-WHEELCHAIR

    HCPCS Level II K0007: Extra Heavy Duty Wheelchair

    HCPCS-K0008-CUSTOM-MANUAL-WHEELCHAIR

    HCPCS K0008: Custom Manual Wheelchair/Base

    HCPCS-K0009-OTHER-MANUAL-WHEELCHAIR-BASE

    HCPCS K0009: Other Manual Wheelchair/Base

    HCPCS-K0010-STANDARD-WEIGHT-FRAME-POWER-WHEELCHAIR

    HCPCS K0010: Standard Weight Frame Motorized/Power Wheelchair

    Showing 1–10 of 135

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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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