E0550 — Humidifier, durable for extensive supplemental humidification during ippb treatments or oxygen delivery
E0550 is a HCPCS Level II code for humidifier, durable for extensive supplemental humidification during ippb treatments or oxygen delivery. It belongs to the Durable Medical Equipment 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 E0550 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
- 1 unit MAI 2 — Date of Service Edit: Policy · Code Descriptor / CPT Instruction
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 E0550
- Long descriptor
- Humidifier, durable for extensive supplemental humidification during ippb treatments or oxygen delivery
- Short descriptor
- Humidif extens supple w ippb
- Added
- January 1, 1986
- BETOS
- D1E
- Pricing indicator
- 33 — 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.
Oxygen and oxygen equipment. Price subject to floors and ceilings.
Codes adjacent to E0550
HCPCS has no hierarchy — related items simply sit next to each other in the numbering. If E0550 is not quite right, the correct code is very often within a few positions of it.
- E0486Oral device/appliance used to reduce upper airway collapsibility, adjustable or non-adjustable, custom fabricated, includes fitting and adjustment
- E0487Spirometer, electronic, includes all accessories
- E0490Power source and control electronics unit for oral device/appliance for neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the tongue muscle, controlled by hardware remote
- E0491Oral device/appliance for neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the tongue muscle, used in conjunction with the power source and control electronics unit, controlled by hardware remote, 90-day supply
- E0492Power source and control electronics unit for oral device/appliance for neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the tongue muscle, controlled by phone application
- E0493Oral device/appliance for neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the tongue muscle, used in conjunction with the power source and control electronics unit, controlled by phone application, 90-day supply
- E0500Ippb machine, all types, with built-in nebulization; manual or automatic valves; internal or external power source
- E0530Electronic positional obstructive sleep apnea treatment, with sensor, includes all components and accessories, any type
- E0555Humidifier, durable, glass or autoclavable plastic bottle type, for use with regulator or flowmeter
- E0560Humidifier, durable for supplemental humidification during ippb treatment or oxygen delivery
- E0561Humidifier, non-heated, used with positive airway pressure device
- E0562Humidifier, heated, used with positive airway pressure device
- E0565Compressor, air power source for equipment which is not self-contained or cylinder driven
- E0570Nebulizer, with compressor
- E0572Aerosol compressor, adjustable pressure, light duty for intermittent use
- E0574Ultrasonic/electronic aerosol generator with small volume nebulizer
Questions about E0550
What is HCPCS code E0550?
E0550 is a HCPCS Level II code for humidifier, durable for extensive supplemental humidification during ippb treatments or oxygen delivery. It sits in the Durable Medical Equipment section.
Does Medicare cover E0550?
The CMS HCPCS file marks E0550 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.