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Decision: unknown

 
The rules say that plans must pay for a medical service or item if regular Medicare would pay for it in this case. 
You can find this rule at 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 422.101. 
 
The rules say that a microprocessor-controlled ankle foot system (L5973), energy storing foot (L5976), 
dynamic response foot with multi-axial ankle (L5979), flex foot system (L5980), flex-walk system or equal 
(L5981), or shank foot system with vertical loading pylon (L5987) is covered for beneficiaries whose 
functional level is 3 or above. You can find this rule in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) Lower Limb 
Prostheses L33787. 
 
The rules say that when submitting a prosthetic claim, the billed code for knee, foot, ankle and hip (HCPCS 
codes L5610, L5611, L5613, L5614, L5616, L5710, L5711, L5712, L5714, L5716, L5718, L5722, L5724, 
L5726, L5728, L5780, L5810, L5811, L5812, L5814, L5816, L5818, L5822, L5824, L5826, L5828, L5830, 
L5840, L5848, L5856, L5857, L5858, L5859, L5930, L5961, L5970, L5971, L5972, L5973, L5974, L5975, 
L5976, L5978, L5979, L5980, L5981, L5982, L5984, L5985, L5986, L5987) components must be submitted 
with modifiers K0 - K4, indicating the expected beneficiary functional level. This expectation of functional 
ability information must be clearly documented and retained in the prosthetist's records. The simple entry of a 
K modifier in those records is not sufficient. There must be information about the beneficiarys history and 
current condition which supports the designation of the functional level by the prosthetist. 
 
ANKLE AND LOWER EXTREMITY MOTION UNITS 
 
Codes L5968, L5982, L5984, L5985, L5986 and L5988 describe separate products which provide either a 
single motion or a combination of motions generally attributed to functional movement of the lower limb 
during ambulation. The use of these codes can be used to fully describe additional features or functions not 
found in the prosthetic foot system (L5969, L5970, L5971, L5972, L5973, L5974, L5975, L5976, L5978, 
L5979 L5980, L5981 and L5987). 
 
FEET 
 
Addition codes for lower extremity prostheses, L5970, L5971, L5972, L5974, L5975, L5976, L5978, L5979, 
L5980, L5981, L5987 are considered an upgrade to the SACH foot. The beneficiary may qualify for an 
upgraded prosthetic foot based on their assigned K-level modifier (K0-K4) as referenced in the LCD.  A single addition code (L5970, L5971, L5972, L5974, L5975, L5976, L5978, L5979, L5980, L5981, L5987) 
can fully describe a complete foot and thus the use of more than one code would be considered incorrect coding 
(unbundling). 
 
L5968, L5982, L5984, L5985, L5986, L5988, L5990 are additional features and/or functions that do not 
describe a complete prosthetic foot and may be used in combination with L5970, L5971, L5972, L5974, 
L5975, L5976, L5978, L5979, L5980, L5981, and L5987. The use of additional feature L-codes may also 
depend on the assigned K-Level modifier (K0-K4) as referenced in the LCD. 
L5981 describes a product that can be used for either endoskeletal or exoskeletal lower limb construction. The 
Flex Walk has an energy storing J-shaped keel design. Heel component is attached to the J-shaped keel section. 
The Flex Walk J-shaped keel design proximally terminates at a nonadjustable fixed height determined and 
modified by the prosthetic foot manufacturer. L5981 includes foot cover. You can find these rules in the Local 
Coverage Article Lower Limb Prostheses - Policy Article A52496. 
 
If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com. 
 
The Plan contract says that the Plan covers items and services in accordance with Medicare rules.