A4252 — Blood ketone test or reagent strip, each
A4252 is a HCPCS Level II code for blood ketone test or reagent strip, each. It belongs to the Transportation, Medical & Surgical Supplies, Administrative section. Medicare does not pay it — see the coverage note below before you bill it.
Medicare coverage: Non-covered by statute
Excluded from coverage by the Social Security Act itself, not by a policy decision. No documentation and no appeal changes this one — an ABN is the relevant conversation.
From the coverage field of the CMS Alpha-Numeric HCPCS File, release 2026Q3-Jul. This states Medicare’s position on the code, not on your particular claim.
Physician fee schedule statusN
Non-covered service. Medicare does not cover it.
Global period: XXX
Want the dollar amount for your locality? The fee calculator applies your GPCI and the current conversion factor.
Medically Unlikely Edits — units per day
The most units of A4252 Medicare will pay on one date of service. Bill more on a single line and it is denied. The limit is not the same in every setting, so the row that matters is the one matching the claim you are building.
- practitioner
- 0 — never payable MAI 3 — Date of Service Edit: Clinical · CMS Policy
- outpatient
- 0 — never payable MAI 3 — Date of Service Edit: Clinical · CMS Policy
- DME supplier
- 0 — never payable MAI 3 — Date of Service Edit: Clinical · CMS Policy
The adjudication indicator decides whether exceeding the limit is worth appealing at all: MAI 1 is a line edit you can support with documentation, MAI 3 is a date-of-service edit that is also appealable, and MAI 2 is absolute — no documentation overrides it. CMS MUE 2026Q3.
The CMS record for A4252
- Long descriptor
- Blood ketone test or reagent strip, each
- Short descriptor
- Blood ketone test or strip
- Added
- January 1, 2008
- BETOS
- D1E
- Pricing indicator
- 00 — Not priced by Part B
The official wording. This is what the code means.
CMS's 28-character form, which is what shows up on a remittance advice.
When CMS introduced the code.
Berenson-Eggers Type of Service — CMS's own analytic grouping.
Service not separately priced by Part B — not covered, bundled into another service, or used by Part A only.
Codes adjacent to A4252
HCPCS has no hierarchy — related items simply sit next to each other in the numbering. If A4252 is not quite right, the correct code is very often within a few positions of it.
- A4238Supply allowance for adjunctive, non-implanted continuous glucose monitor (cgm), includes all supplies and accessories, 1 month supply = 1 unit of service
- A4239Supply allowance for non-adjunctive, non-implanted continuous glucose monitor (cgm), includes all supplies and accessories, 1 month supply = 1 unit of service
- A4244Alcohol or peroxide, per pint
- A4245Alcohol wipes, per box
- A4246Betadine or phisohex solution, per pint
- A4247Betadine or iodine swabs/wipes, per box
- A4248Chlorhexidine containing antiseptic, 1 ml
- A4250Urine test or reagent strips or tablets (100 tablets or strips)
- A4253Blood glucose test or reagent strips for home blood glucose monitor, per 50 strips
- A4255Platforms for home blood glucose monitor, 50 per box
- A4256Normal, low and high calibrator solution / chips
- A4257Replacement lens shield cartridge for use with laser skin piercing device, each
- A4258Spring-powered device for lancet, each
- A4259Lancets, per box of 100
- A4261Cervical cap for contraceptive use
- A4262Temporary, absorbable lacrimal duct implant, each
Questions about A4252
What is HCPCS code A4252?
A4252 is a HCPCS Level II code for blood ketone test or reagent strip, each. It sits in the Transportation, Medical & Surgical Supplies, Administrative section.
Does Medicare cover A4252?
The CMS HCPCS file marks A4252 as "Non-covered by statute". Excluded from coverage by the Social Security Act itself, not by a policy decision. No documentation and no appeal changes this one — an ABN is the relevant conversation.
How is A4252 paid under the physician fee schedule?
A4252 carries PFS status code N. Non-covered service. Medicare does not cover it.