HCPCS
E0100 — Cane, includes canes of all materials, adjustable or fixed, with tip
Cane adjust/fixed with tip
DME & supplies
E0470 — Respiratory assist device, bi-level pressure capability, without backup rate, noninvasive interface
A BiPAP machine delivers two different air pressure levels — higher when you breathe in, lower when you breathe out — to treat sleep apnea, COPD, or respiratory failure.
- Typical setting: Home delivery from DME supplier
- National avg charge (illustrative): $100–$300/month rental for first 3 months; then reduced rental or purchase
- Most-disputed reason: Billing E0470 (BiPAP without backup rate) when E0471 (BiPAP with backup rate) was provided — verify the device features
What it means
What E0470 actually means
A BiPAP machine delivers two different air pressure levels — higher when you breathe in, lower when you breathe out — to treat sleep apnea, COPD, or respiratory failure. It is more advanced than a CPAP and is typically prescribed when CPAP alone is insufficient.
Common errors with this code
What goes wrong on real bills.
Most bills that look correct still contain at least one of these issues. Up to 49% of medical bills contain errors (CFPB).
- Billing E0470 (BiPAP without backup rate) when E0471 (BiPAP with backup rate) was provided — verify the device features
- Billing both CPAP (E0601) and BiPAP (E0470) for the same patient on the same date
- Billing monthly rental past the coverage period without re-verifying medical necessity
If you see E0470 on your bill
Three steps before paying.
1. Get the itemized bill. If your statement only shows a summary, request the CPT-level itemized bill before paying. Generate the request language →
2. Cross-check against the EOB. Compare what your insurer's Explanation of Benefits says you owe versus what the hospital is asking. They disagree more often than people think. Read the bill-vs-EOB guide →
3. Run a free Bill Scan. Upload the bill (and EOB if you have it) and BillBusted will flag the most likely issues with this specific code in your specific state. Run free scan →
Related codes
Other codes in this category.
People who land on E0470 often also see these adjacent codes on the same bill.
HCPCS
E0105 — Cane, quad or three prong, includes canes of all materials, adjustable or fixed, with tips
Cane adjust/fixed quad/3 pro
HCPCS
E0112 — Crutches underarm, wood, adjustable or fixed, pair, with pads, tips and handgrips
Crutch underarm pair wood
HCPCS
E0113 — Crutch underarm, wood, adjustable or fixed, each, with pad, tip and handgrip
Crutch underarm each wood
Related BillBusted guides
Plain-English reads if you see E0470 on a bill.
E0470 FAQ
Plain-English answers.
What does E0470 usually cost?
$100–$300/month rental for first 3 months; then reduced rental or purchase. Costs vary by region, payer contract, and whether the service was performed in a hospital outpatient department (which adds a facility fee) versus a free-standing clinic.
What's the most common billing error on E0470?
Billing E0470 (BiPAP without backup rate) when E0471 (BiPAP with backup rate) was provided — verify the device features
What should I do if I see E0470 on my bill?
Request the itemized bill and the matching EOB from your insurer. Compare the units/quantity billed against what you actually received. Run a free BillBusted scan to flag the most likely errors specific to E0470 before paying.
Don't pay E0470 blindly.
The free scan tells you in under 60 seconds whether this charge looks reasonable for your situation.