HCPCS code A2018: Wound matrix, permeaderm C, per square centimeter2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $127.26 for A2018 nationally in the office. Local office rates run $109.31–$183.51.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What A2018 covers

A2018 identifies Permeaderm C, a wound matrix applied to a wound as part of wound treatment. Physicians and other qualified practitioners may use it in settings where wound procedures are performed, including for chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers or venous leg ulcers. The code represents the product quantity, not the clinician’s assessment or interpretation of the wound.

Report units based on the square centimeters of Permeaderm C used, and document the wound site, treated area, product, and quantity. CMS classifies A2018 as an add-on: bill it only with an appropriate primary procedure, with payment handled within that procedure’s global period. The code is technical-component-only; a separate code covers interpretation. Application procedure selection depends on the wound location and area, such as the applicable trunk, arm, or leg code versus the code for specified other sites.

This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.

Where A2018 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

A2018 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

How the A2018 rate is calculated

Each of A2018’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.

Payment rules and modifiers for A2018

The CMS indicators that decide how A2018 is paid alongside other services.

A2018 compared with similar codes

How to choose

A2016Wound productPermeaderm B, per square centimeter

A2016 identifies Permeaderm B; A2018 identifies Permeaderm C. Select the code matching the product documented as used.

A2017Permeaderm glovePer glove

A2017 identifies Permeaderm glove by the each, while A2018 identifies Permeaderm C by square centimeter. The product form and billing unit distinguish them.

15271Skin substitute graftFirst 25 cm², trunk/limbs

15271 reports the wound application procedure for qualifying trunk, arm, or leg wounds; A2018 reports the Permeaderm C product quantity used with a primary procedure.

Codes related to A2018

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

Where these rates come from

FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.

CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates