HCPCS Codes for Commode Chairs — E0163, E0165 and E0168
Three codes do most of the work in the commode category, and the bariatric one has a specific dimensional test.
| Code | Describes |
|---|---|
| E0163 | Commode chair, mobile or stationary, with fixed arms |
| E0165 | Commode chair, mobile or stationary, with detachable arms |
| E0168 | Commode chair, extra wide and/or heavy duty, with or without arms |
| E0167 | Pail or pan, replacement only |
| E0170 / E0171 | Commode chair with integrated seat lift mechanism — electric / non-electric |
| E0172 | Seat lift mechanism placed over or on top of toilet — not covered |
| E0175 | Foot rest for commode chair — not covered |
What makes a commode "extra wide / heavy duty" (E0168)?
Two conditions, both required: a width of 23 inches or more, and the ability to support a beneficiary who weighs 300 pounds or more. That is the published coding rule — a 24-inch frame rated to 250 lb does not qualify.
The trap worth knowing about
CMS has ruled that a raised toilet seat (E0244) is non-covered. It follows that a commode chair positioned over the toilet to act as a raised toilet seat is also non-covered — the claim must carry the GY modifier.
This matters commercially: a distributor who buys a commode to sell purely as an over-the-toilet raiser has bought a non-reimbursable item without realising it. Our commode line is documented to be sold and coded as a freestanding bedside commode (E0163 / E0165), which is the covered use.
Coverage criteria
A commode is covered where the patient is confined to bed or to a room — meaning leaving the room is medically contraindicated. If a commode is needed only for mobility outside the home, the GY modifier applies.
Where the rest of the reference lives
This page is the commode slice of our full HCPCS dealer reference. For the adjacent reimbursed categories, see walker codes E0130–E0150 and crutch codes E0110–E0118. And if you also stock bath-safety lines, read why raised toilet seats are not Medicare-covered — and what shower chair codes E0240–E0248 really mean for your cash-retail mix.
Notes and disclaimer. HCPCS codes and coverage rules are updated quarterly by CMS; this page reflects the official codes as verified on 2026-10-09, including CMS Policy Article A52461 (Commodes) and NCD 280.1. Always confirm against the current CMS HCPCS code tables, NCDs and LCDs before building a claim. This page is written for equipment buyers and does not constitute billing or medical advice. Codes and coverage determinations are stated as published by CMS; we make no promise that any individual claim will be reimbursed.