A4540 — Distal transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator, stimulates peripheral nerves of the upper arm
A4540 is a HCPCS Level II code for distal transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator, stimulates peripheral nerves of the upper arm. 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.
The CMS record for A4540
- Long descriptor
- Distal transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator, stimulates peripheral nerves of the upper arm
- Short descriptor
- Trans elec nerv periph nerv
- Added
- January 1, 2024
- BETOS
- Z2
- 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 A4540
HCPCS has no hierarchy — related items simply sit next to each other in the numbering. If A4540 is not quite right, the correct code is very often within a few positions of it.
- A4480Vabra aspirator
- A4481Tracheostoma filter, any type, any size, each
- A4483Moisture exchanger, disposable, for use with invasive mechanical ventilation
- A4490Surgical stockings above knee length, each
- A4495Surgical stockings thigh length, each
- A4500Surgical stockings below knee length, each
- A4510Surgical stockings full length, each
- A4520Incontinence garment, any type, (e.g., brief, diaper), each
- A4541Monthly supplies for use of device coded at e0733
- A4542Supplies and accessories for external upper limb tremor stimulator of the peripheral nerves of the wrist
- A4543Supplies for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator, for nerves in the auricular region, per month
- A4544Electrode for external lower extremity nerve stimulator for restless legs syndrome
- A4545Supplies and accessories for external tibial nerve stimulator (e.g., socks, gel pads, electrodes, etc.), needed for one month
- A4550Surgical trays
- A4553Non-disposable underpads, all sizes
- A4554Disposable underpads, all sizes
Questions about A4540
What is HCPCS code A4540?
A4540 is a HCPCS Level II code for distal transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator, stimulates peripheral nerves of the upper arm. It sits in the Transportation, Medical & Surgical Supplies, Administrative section.
Does Medicare cover A4540?
The CMS HCPCS file marks A4540 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 A4540 paid under the physician fee schedule?
A4540 carries PFS status code N. Non-covered service. Medicare does not cover it.