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Teleflex’s Hybrid Awarded Brand-New HCPCS Category
Teleflex Medical’s Hybrid Universal Interface, a design that fuses nasal pillows and a full-face mask for a comfortable fit, has earned its own place in the CMS HCPCS system. In July 2007, the mask was assigned a brand-new category. The new codes include K0553, combination oral/nasal mask used with continuous positive airway pressure device, each; K0554, oral cushion for combination oral/nasal mask, replacement only, each; and K0555, nasal pillows for combination oral/nasal mask, replacement only, pair.
“The reimbursement dollars mimic that of a full-face mask upon initial patient setup,” Christianna Vance, sleep therapy product manager, says. “However, the nasal pillows and the oral cushion can both be replaced twice per month, which is a significant difference from that of a full-face mask because with that you only usually get one replacement cushion per month.”
The Hybrid was originally coded for a full-face mask (A7030), but in October 2006, CMS decided to re-evaluate the mask.
Vance says the company is pleased that CMS recognized the clinical benefits of the Hybrid. “It’s nice to see that the reimbursement dollars are following suit with that to provide frequency for billing and additional reimbursement for the DME to be able to provide the product.”
