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Every policy word on this page is CMS's own. Verzi adds pins, receipts, and links only.

A7046

Respiratory Assist Devices

LCD L33800 · CMS's HCPCS descriptor for A7046: Water chamber for humidifier, used with positive airway pressure device, replacement, each.

CMS lists A7046 in 2 LCDs in the Verzi KB: LCD L33718 LCD L33800

Not on CMS's Required Prior Authorization List for DMEPOS on 2026-10-13. source

LCD L33800 · 12 versions, 2015 to today · last changed 2025-06-09 (R11)

Version 2 of LCD L33800: in force by CMS's dates 2015-10-01 to 2015-09-30. The policy text on this page comes from this archived version. On its start date, 2015-10-01, the companion Article in force was Article A52517 version 5. Verzi cannot say which version of Article A58822 was in force on that date.

DME MAC jurisdictions
JA · Noridian 16013
CT, DE, DC, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT
JB · CGS 17013
IL, IN, KY, MI, MN, OH, WI
JC · CGS 18003
AL, AR, CO, FL, GA, LA, MS, NM, NC, OK, PR, SC, TN, TX, VI, VA, WV
JD · Noridian 19003
AK, AS, AZ, CA, GU, HI, ID, IA, KS, MO, MT, NE, NV, ND, MP, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY
source

CMS's Who are the MACs jurisdiction pages (DME facts as of 2025-09-30) name each contractor and its states; the MCD's Contractor Information table on every DME LCD prints the contract numbers. Both read 2026-10-09. Verzi adds the state lookup only.

You are viewing version 2 (2015-10-01, superseded same day). Version 43 is in force today.

Codes CMS lists in this LCD's current version (version 43, 21 codes). CMS's download carries no list for version 2: A4604 A7027 A7028 A7029 A7030 A7031 A7032 A7033 A7034 A7035 A7036 A7037 A7038 A7039 A7044 A7045 A7046 E0470 E0471 E0561 E0562

Sections in this version: Coverage Indications, Limitations, and/or Medical Necessity · Coding Information · Associated Information. Plus 5 sections marked N/A in this version.

Full verbatim text serves to customers · Customer? Log in

Version history, LCD L33800

CMS numbers each version. Each box shows the version's window by CMS's stated dates. Select a version to show it on this page. Versions superseded the same day they took effect never governed a claim, so the page hides them until you ask. Version numbers CMS never published to its archive do not exist as documents.

Revision history, every version

CMS's own change log, quoted, 11 entries. It does not change with the version shown. A revision (R-number) is a change CMS logged. The version (vN) is the snapshot that carries it.

R11 · 2025-06-09 · v43
Revision Effective Date: 06/09/2025
COVERAGE INDICATIONS, LIMITATIONS, AND/OR MEDICAL NECESSITY:
Revised: “INITIAL COVERAGE CRITERIA FOR E0470 AND E0471 DEVICES FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THERAPY” to “INITIAL COVERAGE CRITERIA FOR E0470 AND E0471 DEVICES”


10/30/2025: Pursuant to the 21st Century Cures Act, these revisions do not require notice and comment because the revisions are non-discretionary updates due to NCD 240.9 Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV) in the Home for the Treatment of Chronic Respiratory Failure (CRF) Consequent to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
R10 · 2025-06-09 · v41
Revision Effective Date: 06/09/2025
CMS NATIONAL COVERAGE POLICY:
Added: "CMS Pub. 100-03, Medicare National Coverage Determinations Manual, Chapter 1, Part 4, Section 240.9"
COVERAGE INDICATIONS, LIMITATIONS, AND/OR MEDICAL NECESSITY:
Revised:
Initial coverage of E0470 and E0471 language, by removing “severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)” and adding “chronic respiratory failure (CRF) consequent to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)”
Removed: Severe COPD
and related coverage criteria
Revised: Hypoventilation Syndrome coverage criterion B for E0740 and criterion B for E0471, by removing “SEVERE COPD (above)” and adding “Chronic Respiratory Failure Consequent to COPD”
Added:
“Chronic Respiratory Failure Consequent to COPD” and related coverage information
Added:
“The Medicare National Coverage Determinations (NCD) Manual (CMS Pub. 100-03) Chapter 1, Part 4, Section 240.9 outlines initial and continuing usage criteria for home mechanical ventilators for the treatment of CRF consequent to COPD.”

to the ventilators coverage information
Added: "(See §240.9 of this manual)" to quote from NCD 280.1 in section for Ventilators
Added: "and consideration of coverage criteria outlined in the Respiratory Assist Devices LCD, NCD 280.1, and/or NCD 240.9" in section for Ventilators
Revised: “CONTINUED COVERAGE CRITERIA FOR E0470 AND E0471 DEVICES BEYOND THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THERAPY” to “CONTINUED COVERAGE CRITERIA FOR E0470 AND E0471 DEVICES BEYOND THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THERAPY FOR RESTRICTIVE THORACIC DISORDERS, CSA, COMPSA, OR HYPOVENTILATION SYNDROME”

Revised: “Beneficiaries covered for the first three months of an E0470 or an E0471 device must be re-evaluated to establish the medical necessity of continued coverage by Medicare beyond the first three months.” to “Beneficiaries covered for the first three months of an E0470 or an E0471 device for the treatment of restrictive thoracic disorders, CSA, CompSA, or hypoventilation syndrome must be re-evaluated to establish the medical necessity of continued coverage by Medicare beyond the first three
months.”
Added: “CONTINUED COVERAGE CRITERIA FOR E0470 OR E0471 DEVICES BEYOND THE FIRST SIX MONTHS FOR CRF CONSEQUENT TO COPD” and related coverage information

Added: Header to table that represents the maximum amount of accessories expected to be reasonable and necessary
Revised: “For beneficiaries who received an E0470 or E0471 device prior to enrollment in fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare and are seeking Medicare reimbursement for a rental, either to continue using the existing device or for a replacement device, coverage transition is not automatic.” to “For beneficiaries who received an E0470 or E0471 device for the treatment of restrictive thoracic disorders, CSA, CompSA, or hypoventilation syndrome prior to enrollment in fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare and are seeking Medicare reimbursement for a rental, either to continue using the existing device or for a replacement device, coverage transition is not automatic.” regarding beneficiaries entering Medicare
RELATED NATIONAL COVERAGE DOCUMENTS:
Added: NCD 240.9


10/09/2025: Pursuant to the 21st Century Cures Act, these revisions do not require notice and comment because the revisions are non-discretionary updates due to NCD 240.9 Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV) in the Home for the Treatment of Chronic Respiratory Failure (CRF) Consequent to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
R9 · 2024-01-01 · v29
Revision Effective Date: 01/01/2024
COVERAGE INDICATIONS, LIMITATIONS, AND/OR MEDICAL NECESSITY:
Added: “and document an affirmative response” to language that pertains to contact with the beneficiary or caregiver/designee for DMEPOS products supplied as refills
Revised: “approaching exhaustion” to “expected to end” in regard to existing supplies
Revised: “Contact with the beneficiary or designee regarding refills must take place no sooner than 14 calendar days prior to the delivery/shipping date.” to “Contact with the beneficiary or designee regarding refills must take place no sooner than 30 calendar days prior to the expected end of the current supply.”
Revised: “For delivery of refills, the supplier must deliver the DMEPOS product no sooner than 10 calendar days prior to the end of usage for the current product.” to “For delivery of refills, the supplier must deliver the DMEPOS product no sooner than 10 calendar days prior to the expected end of the current supply.”
SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE:
Removed: Summary of evidence information, due to not being applicable to the non-discretionary changes
ANALYSIS OF EVIDENCE (RATIONALE FOR DETERMINATION):
Removed: Analysis of evidence information, due to not being applicable to the non-discretionary changes


12/14/2023: Pursuant to the 21st Century Cures Act, these revisions do not require notice and comment because the revisions are non-discretionary updates to refill requirement information per CMS Final Rule CMS-1780-F.
R8 · 2021-08-08 · v26
REVISION EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/08/2021
COVERAGE INDICATIONS, LIMITATIONS AND/OR MEDICAL NECESSITY:
Removed: ‘etc.’ from initial coverage statement for E0470 or an E0471 RAD
Revised: Situation 1 and 2 revised “Group II” to “severe COPD” beneficiaries
Revised: Situation 1 criterion B to proper LCD title, Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Devices for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea for E0471
Revised: Hypoventilation Syndrome criterion D to proper LCD title, Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Devices for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea for E0470 and E0471
Revised: Header from “VENTILATOR WITH NOINVASIVE INTERFACES” to “VENTILATOR”
Revised: The CMS manual reference to CMS Pub. 100-03
Added: HCPCS code E0467 to ventilator code listings
Revised: “Patient” to “beneficiary”
Removed: Statement of claim line rejection if billed without GA, GZ or KX modifier
Removed: “etc.” from BENEFICIARIES ENTERING MEDICARE section
Revised: SLEEP TESTS section to point to NCD 240.4.1 and applicable A/B MAC LCDs and Billing and Coding articles
SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE:
Added: Information related to diagnostic sleep testing
ANALYSIS OF EVIDENCE:
Added: Information related to diagnostic sleep testing
RELATED LOCAL COVERAGE DOCUMENTS:
Added: Response to Comments (A58822)
R7 · 2020-01-01 · v21
Revision Effective Date: 01/01/2020
 COVERAGE INDICATIONS, LIMITATIONS AND/OR MEDICAL NECESSITY:
 Revised: “physician” to “practitioner”
 GENERAL:
 Revised: Order information as a result of Final Rule 1713
 REFILL REQUIREMENTS:
 Revised: “ordering physicians” to “treating practitioners”
 REPLACEMENT:
 Revised: “physician” to “treating practitioner”
 BENEFICIARIES ENTERING MEDICARE:
 Revised: “physician” to “treating practitioner”
 SLEEP TESTS:
 Revised: “physician” to “practitioner”
CODING INFORMATION:
 Removed: Field titled “Bill Type”
 Removed: Field titled “Revenue Codes”
 Removed: Field titled “ICD-10 Codes that Support Medical Necessity”
 Removed: Field titled “ICD-10 Codes that DO NOT Support Medical Necessity”
 Removed: Field titled “Additional ICD-10 Information"
 DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS:
 Revised: “physician’s” to “treating practitioner’s”
 GENERAL DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS:
 Revised: “Prescriptions (orders)” to “SWO”
 POLICY SPECIFIC DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS:
 Revised: “physician” updated to “treating practitioner”


02/27/20: Pursuant to the 21st Century Cures Act, these revisions do not require notice and comment because they are due to non-discretionary coverage updates reflective of CMS FR-1713.
R6 · 2017-01-01 · v13
No changes have been made to this LCD


04/05/2018: At this time 21st Century Cures Act will apply to new and revised LCDs that restrict coverage which requires comment and notice. This revision is not a restriction to the coverage determination; and, therefore not all the fields included on the LCD are applicable as noted in this policy.
R5 · 2017-01-01 · v11
Revision Effective Date: 01/01/2017
COVERAGE INDICATIONS, INDICATIONS, LIMITATIONS AND/OR MEDICAL NECESSITY:
Clarified: Distinction between coverage of RAD devices and ventilators with non-invasive interfaces
Removed: Standard Documentation Language
Added: New reference language and directions to Standard Documentation Requirements
Added: General Requirements
Revised: Refill Requirements
DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS:
Removed: Standard Documentation Language
Added: General Documentation Requirements
Added: New reference language and directions to Standard Documentation Requirements
POLICY SPECIFIC DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS:
Removed: Standard Documentation Language
Added: Direction to Standard Documentation Requirements
Removed: Supplier Manual direction under Miscellaneous
Removed: PIM citation under Appendices
RELATED LOCAL COVERAGE DOCUMENTS:
Added: LCD-related Standard Documentation Requirements article
R4 · 2016-07-01 · v9
Effective July 1, 2016 oversight for DME MAC LCDs is the responsibility of CGS Administrators, LLC 18003 and 17013 and Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC 19003 and 16013. No other changes have been made to the LCDs.
R3 · 2016-01-01 · v8
Revision Effective Date: 01/01/2016
COVERAGE INDICATIONS, LIMITATIONS AND/OR MEDICAL NECESSITY:
Replaced: HCPCS Codes E0450, E0460-E0464 with new HCPCS Codes E0465, E0466
DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS
Revised: Standard Documentation language to remove start date verbiage from Prescription Requirements (Effective 11/05/2015)
R2 · 2015-10-01 · v5
Revision Effective Date: 12/01/2014 (May 2015 Publication)
COVERAGE INDICATIONS, LIMITATIONS AND/OR MEDICAL NECESSITY:
Revised: Standard Documentation Language to add covered prior to a beneficiary’s Medicare eligibility
DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS:
Revised: Standard Documentation Language to add who can enter date of delivery date on the POD
Added: Instructions for Equipment Retained from a Prior Payer
Added: Repair/Replacement section
R1 · 2015-10-01 · v4
Revision Effective Date: 10/01/2015
COVERAGE INDICATIONS, LIMITATIONS AND/OR MEDICAL NECESSITY:
Revised: Definitions of Central Sleep Apnea and Complex Sleep Apnea to include a CAHI index and expands signs and symptoms that describe the conditions
Revised: Severe COPD to clarify that definitive testing is not necessary to exclude OSA when the clinical picture is sufficient
Revised: Severe COPD to clarify that nocturnal oximetry is a cumulative 5 minutes of testing
Revised: Hypoventilation Syndromes to remove FEV1
Revised: PSG testing to also include HST testing when used in the in-patient hospital setting to establish or rule out the diagnosis of OSA
Added: Ventilator section based upon NCD and April 2014 coding and coverage article
Added: Sleep Test coverage and payment rules
Receipts for auditors

Version 2 of LCD L33800, shown on this page: in force by CMS's dates 2015-10-01 to 2015-09-30. Archived 2026-09-26. CMS's copy · Our archived file. 8 of 8 sections are proven word-identical to the archived file.

Every archived version of LCD L33800 (12 versions, CMS's dates, window by the as-of rule).

DocumentVersionIn forceArchived onVerify
LCD L33800version 2 shown2015-10-01, superseded same day2026-09-26CMS's copy · Our archived file
LCD L33800version 42015-10-01, superseded same day2026-09-26CMS's copy · Our archived file
LCD L33800version 52015-10-01 to 2015-12-312026-09-26CMS's copy · Our archived file
LCD L33800version 82016-01-01 to 2016-06-302026-09-26CMS's copy · Our archived file
LCD L33800version 92016-07-01 to 2016-12-312026-09-26CMS's copy · Our archived file
LCD L33800version 112017-01-01, superseded same day2026-09-26CMS's copy · Our archived file
LCD L33800version 132017-01-01 to 2019-12-312026-09-26CMS's copy · Our archived file
LCD L33800version 212020-01-01 to 2021-08-072026-09-26CMS's copy · Our archived file
LCD L33800version 262021-08-08 to 2023-12-312026-09-26CMS's copy · Our archived file
LCD L33800version 292024-01-01 to 2025-06-082026-09-26CMS's copy · Our archived file
LCD L33800version 412025-06-09, superseded same day2026-10-09CMS's copy · Our archived file
LCD L33800version 432025-06-09 to today2026-09-26CMS's copy · Our archived file

The related Articles each have their own receipts: Article A52517 · Article A55426 · Article A58822.

Each archived file's page gives its sha256 fingerprint. A copy of the file hashes to the same value, byte for byte.

CMS's live page shows only the current version. To check a passage by eye, open CMS's copy of the same version number. A version's window ends on the earlier of CMS's stated end date and the day before the next version starts.

Every policy word on this page is CMS's, from the archived version named beside it. Verzi adds labels, highlights, citations and links only. Verzi-written summary content on this page: none.

Governing policies, as CMS lists them:

  • LCD L33718 · Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Devices for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
    CMS lists A7046 in group 2 of version 52. CMS's description, quoted: “WATER CHAMBER FOR HUMIDIFIER, USED WITH POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE DEVICE, REPLACEMENT, EACH”.
    Related Articles, as CMS lists them: Article A52467 · Article A55426 · Article A58824
  • LCD L33800 · Respiratory Assist Devices
    CMS lists A7046 in group 2 of version 43. CMS's description, quoted: “WATER CHAMBER FOR HUMIDIFIER, USED WITH POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE DEVICE, REPLACEMENT, EACH”.
    Related Articles, as CMS lists them: Article A52517 · Article A55426 · Article A58822

From CMS's LCD code table. HCPCS Level II codes only.

source

CMS's LCD code table in the Medicare Coverage Database download, archived 2026-10-09: Our archived file.

Watch A7046

One email when any policy cited for A7046 changes or gains a future effective date. Nothing else, ever.