2025 HCPCS code A4217

500 ml of sterile water or saline for wound irrigation or patient rehydration.

Appropriate modifiers (AU or AX) should be appended as needed based on the clinical context.

Modifiers AU and AX are applicable.

Medical necessity is established by the presence of a wound requiring irrigation or severe dehydration preventing oral fluid intake.

The provider administers the sterile water or saline solution, either for wound irrigation or intravenous rehydration.

IMPORTANT Modifiers AU (urological, ostomy, or tracheostomy supply) or AX (home dialysis services) may be necessary depending on the clinical context.

In simple words: This code means a doctor used 500 milliliters (about a pint) of sterile water or saline solution. This is used to clean a wound or to give fluids to someone who can't drink.

HCPCS code A4217 represents the administration of 500 ml of sterile water or saline.This is commonly used for wound irrigation to cleanse infected wounds or for intravenous rehydration of a dehydrated patient unable to ingest fluids orally. The sterile nature typically indicates intravenous administration.

Example 1: A patient presents with a deep, infected wound requiring irrigation. The provider uses 500ml of sterile saline to cleanse the wound., A patient is severely dehydrated and unable to drink fluids. The provider administers 500ml of sterile saline intravenously., A patient undergoing a colonoscopy requires fluid rehydration during the procedure; 500ml of sterile water is used.

Documentation should include the amount of solution used, the route of administration (if intravenous, specify the access site), the reason for use (wound irrigation or rehydration), and the patient's response.

** Medicare payment may depend on the use of modifiers AU or AX.

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