Prosthetic Feet and Additions to Lower Limb Extremity Prostheses - Correct Coding and Coding Verification Review Requirement - JA DME
Prosthetic Feet and Additions to Lower Limb Extremity Prostheses - Correct Coding and Coding Verification Review Requirement
JOINT DME MAC and PDAC ARTICLE
Recently CMS published the continuation of prior authorization for 45 Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes on the Required Prior Authorization List of DMEPOS Items that require prior authorization as a condition of payment (Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 28, 7666-7668). Within the list of 45 L-codes, three prosthetic foot system codes and three lower limb extremity knee-shin prosthesis system codes are scheduled for implementation:
Prosthetic Foot Systems
| Code | Narrative |
|---|---|
| L5973 | ENDOSKELETAL ANKLE FOOT SYSTEM, MICROPROCESSOR CONTROLLED FEATURE, DORSIFLEXION AND/OR PLANTAR FLEXION CONTROL, INCLUDES POWER SOURCE |
| L5980 | ALL LOWER EXTREMITY PROSTHESES, FLEX FOOT SYSTEM |
| L5987 | ALL LOWER EXTREMITY PROSTHESIS, SHANK FOOT SYSTEM WITH VERTICAL LOADING PYLON |
Addition to Lower Limb Prosthesis – Knee-Shin Systems
| Code | Narrative |
|---|---|
| L5856 | ADDITION TO LOWER EXTREMITY PROSTHESIS, ENDOSKELETAL KNEE-SHIN SYSTEM, MICROPROCESSOR CONTROL FEATURE, SWING AND STANCE PHASE, INCLUDES ELECTRONIC SENSOR(S), ANY TYPE |
| L5857 | ADDITION TO LOWER EXTREMITY PROSTHESIS, ENDOSKELETAL KNEE-SHIN SYSTEM, MICROPROCESSOR CONTROL FEATURE, SWING PHASE ONLY, INCLUDES ELECTRONIC SENSOR(S), ANY TYPE |
| L5858 | ADDITION TO LOWER EXTREMITY PROSTHESIS, ENDOSKELETAL KNEE SHIN SYSTEM, MICROPROCESSOR CONTROL FEATURE, STANCE PHASE ONLY, INCLUDES ELECTRONIC SENSOR(S), ANY TYPE |
The CMS Internet Only Manual (IOM), Publication 100-08, PIM, Chapter 3, Sections 3.3.B and 3.6.2.4 specify that for Medicare claims, only the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DME MACs) have the authority to establish HCPCS Level II Coding Guidelines. Pursuant to 42 CFR §§ 414.40 and 45 CFR §§ 162.1002, CMS has the authority to assign and manage HCPCS codes (create, delete, change code narrative etc.).
Correct HCPCS coding is a determination that the item provided to a beneficiary is billed using the appropriate HCPCS code for that item. Suppliers are required to correctly code for the item billed. An item/service is correctly coded when it meets all the coding guidelines listed in CMS HCPCS guidelines, LCDs, LCD-related Policy Articles, or DME MAC articles.
In an effort to assist manufacturers and suppliers with correct coding, the DME MACs are issuing Coding Guidelines for the six L-codes included in the Prior Authorization Condition of Payment program. Effective for claims with dates of service on or after 01/01/2021, the only products which may be billed using codes L5856, L5857, L5858, L5973, L5980, and L5987 are those for which a written Coding Verification Review has been made by the Pricing, Data Analysis and Coding (PDAC) Contractor and subsequently published on the appropriate Product Classification List.
Prosthetic Foot Systems
| Code | Narrative |
|---|---|
| L5973 | ENDOSKELETAL ANKLE FOOT SYSTEM, MICROPROCESSOR CONTROLLED FEATURE, DORSIFLEXION AND/OR PLANTAR FLEXION CONTROL, INCLUDES POWER SOURCE L5973 describes an endoskeletal device with integrated energy storage and release foot and microprocessor ankle system. The integrated microprocessor is programmable along with sensors to optimize plantar and dorsiflexion angles for stance and swing phase. L5973 includes foot cover, power source(s) and charger. |
| L5980 | ALL LOWER EXTREMITY PROSTHESES, FLEX FOOT SYSTEM L5980 describes a product that can be used for either endoskeletal or exoskeletal lower limb construction. The Flex Foot has an energy storing J-shaped keel design. Heel component is attached onto the J-shaped keel section. The Flex Foot System’s J-shaped keel design extends proximally as a monolithic composite shank. Shank height is determined and modified by supplier to utilize the dynamics of the composite shank. L5980 includes foot cover. |
| L5987 | ALL LOWER EXTREMITY PROSTHESIS, SHANK FOOT SYSTEM WITH VERTICAL LOADING PYLON L5987 describes a product that can be used for either endoskeletal or exoskeletal lower limb construction. All components are integrated as a single product, i.e. not an assembly of separate products or components. The product has an energy storing J-shaped keel design. Heel component is attached onto the J-shaped keel section. Vertical loading pylon allows controlled motion for shock absorption. This code does not describe vertical loading or shock absorption achieved from the inherent flexibility of the J-shaped keel section. L5987 includes foot cover. |
Addition to Lower Limb Prosthesis
| Code | Narrative |
|---|---|
| L5856 | ADDITION TO LOWER EXTREMITY PROSTHESIS, ENDOSKELETAL KNEE-SHIN SYSTEM, MICROPROCESSOR CONTROL FEATURE, SWING AND STANCE PHASE, INCLUDES ELECTRONIC SENSOR(S), ANY TYPE L5856 refers to a feature of an endoskeletal knee component which is incorporated into the entire knee-shin system. The microprocessor componentry with sensors, any type, provide automated adjustment for controlling the swing and stance phase of gait. This feature would be discernable from schematic drawings and user manual documentation. The documentation would provide details for all of the adjustments for the dynamic properties of this sub-system within the knee component. Adjustments could factor user characteristics such as the activity level, body weight, or gait preferences, among others. This adjustment feature is energized by an on-board rechargeable battery source. The code would include any external components needed to access the microprocessor for modification of the settings. |
| L5857 | ADDITION TO LOWER EXTREMITY PROSTHESIS, ENDOSKELETAL KNEE-SHIN SYSTEM, MICROPROCESSOR CONTROL FEATURE, SWING PHASE ONLY, INCLUDES ELECTRONIC SENSOR(S), ANY TYPE L5857 refers to a feature of an endoskeletal knee component which is incorporated into the entire knee-shin system. The microprocessor componentry with sensors, any type, provide automated adjustment for controlling the swing phase of gait. The documentation would provide details for all of the adjustments for the dynamic properties of this sub-system within the knee component. Adjustments could factor user characteristics such as the activity level, body weight, or gait preferences, among others. This adjustment feature is energized by an on-board rechargeable battery source. The code would include any external components needed to access the microprocessor for modification of the settings. |
| L5858 | ADDITION TO LOWER EXTREMITY PROSTHESIS, ENDOSKELETAL KNEE SHIN SYSTEM, MICROPROCESSOR CONTROL FEATURE, STANCE PHASE ONLY, INCLUDES ELECTRONIC SENSOR(S), ANY TYPE L5858 refers to a feature of an endoskeletal knee component which is incorporated into the entire knee-shin system. The microprocessor componentry with sensors, any type, provide automated adjustment for controlling the stance phase of gait. The documentation would provide details for all of the adjustments for the dynamic properties of this sub-system within the knee component. Adjustments could factor user characteristics such as the activity level, body weight, or gait preferences, among others. This adjustment feature is energized by an on-board rechargeable battery source. The code would include any external components needed to access the microprocessor for modification of the settings. |
Additional Coding Guidelines
Refer to the Lower Limb Prostheses Local Coverage Determination and related Policy Article for additional information on coverage, coding and documentation for artificial limbs.
For questions about correct coding, contact the PDAC Contact Center at 877-735-1326 during the hours of 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, or email the PDAC by completing the DME PDAC Contact Form located on the PDAC Website.
Publication History
| Date of Change | Description |
|---|---|
| 06/25/20 | Originally Published |
