B4081 — Nasogastric tubing with stylet
B4081 is a HCPCS Level II code for nasogastric tubing with stylet. It belongs to the Enteral and Parenteral Therapy section. Whether Medicare pays it depends on the coverage rule below.
Medicare coverage: Special coverage instructions apply
There are published conditions attached to this code. Check the applicable coverage policy before billing it: the code being valid is not the same as the service being covered.
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.
Medically Unlikely Edits — units per day
The most units of B4081 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
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 B4081
- Long descriptor
- Nasogastric tubing with stylet
- Short descriptor
- Enteral ng tubing w/ stylet
- Added
- January 1, 1986
- BETOS
- O1C
- Pricing indicator
- 39 — DMEPOS
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.
Parenteral and enteral nutrition.
Codes adjacent to B4081
HCPCS has no hierarchy — related items simply sit next to each other in the numbering. If B4081 is not quite right, the correct code is very often within a few positions of it.
- A9700Supply of injectable contrast material for use in echocardiography, per study
- A9800Gallium ga-68 gozetotide, diagnostic, (locametz), 1 millicurie
- A9900Miscellaneous dme supply, accessory, and/or service component of another hcpcs code
- A9901Dme delivery, set up, and/or dispensing service component of another hcpcs code
- A9999Miscellaneous dme supply or accessory, not otherwise specified
- B4034Enteral feeding supply kit; syringe fed, per day, includes but not limited to feeding/flushing syringe, administration set tubing, dressings, tape
- B4035Enteral feeding supply kit; pump fed, per day, includes but not limited to feeding/flushing syringe, administration set tubing, dressings, tape
- B4036Enteral feeding supply kit; gravity fed, per day, includes but not limited to feeding/flushing syringe, administration set tubing, dressings, tape
- B4082Nasogastric tubing without stylet
- B4083Stomach tube - levine type
- B4087Gastrostomy/jejunostomy tube, standard, any material, any type, each
- B4088Gastrostomy/jejunostomy tube, low-profile, any material, any type, each
- B4100Food thickener, administered orally, per ounce
- B4102Enteral formula, for adults, used to replace fluids and electrolytes (e.g., clear liquids), 500 ml = 1 unit
- B4103Enteral formula, for pediatrics, used to replace fluids and electrolytes (e.g., clear liquids), 500 ml = 1 unit
- B4104Additive for enteral formula (e.g., fiber)
Questions about B4081
What is HCPCS code B4081?
B4081 is a HCPCS Level II code for nasogastric tubing with stylet. It sits in the Enteral and Parenteral Therapy section.
Does Medicare cover B4081?
The CMS HCPCS file marks B4081 as "Special coverage instructions apply". There are published conditions attached to this code. Check the applicable coverage policy before billing it: the code being valid is not the same as the service being covered.