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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. The microprocessor foot or ankle system addition with power assist which 
includes any type of motor (L5969) is not covered because there is insufficient information to demonstrate that 
the item meets the Medicare standard to be considered reasonable and necessary as per PIM Chapter 13. 
Claims for L5969 will be denied as not reasonable and necessary. 
 
Coverage is extended only if there is sufficient clinical documentation of functional need for the technologic or 
design feature of a given type of foot. This information must be retained in the treating practitioner's or 
prosthetist's files. You can find this rule in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) Lower Limb Prostheses 
L33787. 
 
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). 
 
 
 
 
 L5968 describes a product that is used as an addition to L-code foot systems for lower limb prosthesis 
construction. The product provides multiaxial motion in the coronal and sagittal plane from articulating 
components. At transition of stance phase to swing phase, the product will increase the ankles dorsiflexion 
angle and maintain it throughout swing phase. The product provides an accommodation of changing heel 
heights without the users input. The predicate product is the Rincoe R-Hab Ankle manufactured by R.G. 
Rincoe & Associates, Inc. Use of L5968, L5982, L5984 or L5986 is based on the beneficiarys K-level 
modifier (K0-K4), as referenced in the LCD. 
 
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. You can find this rule 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.