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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 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) - Effective January 1, 2020. 
 
The rules say that replacement of a prosthesis or prosthetic component is covered if the treating practitioner 
orders a replacement device or part because of any of the following: 
 
1. A change in the physiological condition of the beneficiary; or 
2. Irreparable wear of the device or a part of the device; or 
3. The condition of the device, or part of the device, requires repairs and the cost of such repairs would be more 
than 60% of the cost of a replacement device, or of the part being replaced. 
 
You can find this rule in the Local Coverage Article (LCA) - Lower Limb Prostheses - Policy Article 
(A52496). 
 
The rules say that a determination of the medical necessity for certain components/additions to the prosthesis is 
based on the beneficiarys potential functional abilities. Potential functional ability is based on the reasonable 
expectations of the prosthetist, and treating practitioner, considering factors including, but not limited to: 
 
1. The beneficiarys past history (including prior prosthetic use if applicable); and 
2. The beneficiarys current condition including the status of the residual limb and the nature of other medical 
problems; and 
3. The beneficiarys desire to ambulate. 
 
You can find this rule in Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Lower Limb Prostheses (L33787) - Effective 
January 1, 2020. 
 
The rules say that a level 2 ambulator has the ability or potential for ambulation with the ability to traverse low 
level environmental barriers such as curbs, stairs, or uneven surfaces, typical of the limited community 
ambulator. You can find this rule in Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Lower Limb Prostheses (L33787) - 
Effective January 1, 2020. 
 
The rules say that a flexible-keel foot (L5972) is covered for beneficiaries whose functional level is 2 or 
above. You can find this rule in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) - Lower Limb Prostheses (L33787) - 
Effective January 1, 2020. 
 
The rules say that L5968 describes a separate product which provides 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 
(L5972). You can find this rule in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) - Lower Limb Prostheses 
(L33787) - Effective January 1, 2020.  
 
The rules say that 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. You can find this rule in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) - Lower 
Limb Prostheses (L33787) - Effective January 1, 2020.  
 
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.