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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 state that for knee, foot, ankle and hip (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, the expectation of the enrollee's functional ability information must be clearly 
documented and retained in the prosthetist's records. There must be information about the beneficiary's history 
and current condition which supports the designation of the functional level by the prosthetist. 
 
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. 
 
L5925, L5930, L5845, L5848, L5850, L5856, L5857, L5858, L5859 are additional features and/or functions 
that do not describe a complete endoskeletal knee-shin system and must be used in combination with an L-code 
for a knee-shin system (L5610, L5611, L5613, L5616, L5810, L5811, L5812, L5814, L5816, L5818, L5822, 
L5824, L5826, L5828, L5830, L5840). 
  
For L5859, the medical records should describe the nature and extent of the comorbidity of the spine or the 
sound limb which is what is limiting this beneficiary to a household ambulator, and clearly document how this 
feature will enable the beneficiary to function as a community ambulator. 
 
L5988 describes an endoskeletal pylon device that allows vertical shock reduction between the foot and pelvis 
during ambulation. The vertical shock reducing pylon feature of L5988 is a separate function from other 
products which use a piston/telescoping mechanism such as products described by L5781 or L5782.  
 
You can find these rules in Local Coverage Article: Lower Limb Prostheses - Policy Article (A52496). 
  
The rules also say that determination of the medical necessity for certain components/additions to the 
prosthesis is based on the beneficiary's 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: 
 
    The beneficiary's past history (including prior prosthetic use if applicable); and 
 
    The beneficiary's current condition including the status of the residual limb and the nature of other medical 
problems; and 
 
    The beneficiary's desire to ambulate. 
 
Clinical assessments of beneficiary rehabilitation potential must be based on the following classification levels: 
 
Level 0: Does not have the ability or potential to ambulate or transfer safely with or without assistance and a 
prosthesis does not enhance their quality of life or mobility. 
 
Level 1: Has the ability or potential to use a prosthesis for transfers or ambulation on level surfaces at fixed 
cadence. Typical of the limited and unlimited household ambulator. 
 
Level 2: 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. 
 
Level 3: Has the ability or potential for ambulation with variable cadence. Typical of the community ambulator 
who has the ability to traverse most environmental barriers and may have vocational, therapeutic, or exercise 
activity that demands prosthetic utilization beyond simple locomotion. 
 
Level 4: Has the ability or potential for prosthetic ambulation that exceeds basic ambulation skills, exhibiting 
high impact, stress, or energy levels. Typical of the prosthetic demands of the child, active adult, or athlete. 
 
The records must document the beneficiary's current functional capabilities and his/her expected functional 
potential, including an explanation for the difference, if that is the case. It is recognized, within the functional 
classification hierarchy, that bilateral amputees often cannot be strictly bound by functional level 
classifications. 
 
A fluid, pneumatic, or electronic/microprocessor knee (L5610, L5613, L5614, L5722, L5724, L5726, L5728, 
L5780, L5814, L5822, L5824, L5826, L5828, L5830, L5840, L5848, L5856, L5857, L5858) is covered for 
beneficiaries whose functional level is 3 or above. 
 
L5859 (ADDITION TO LOWER EXTREMITY PROSTHESIS, ENDOSKELETAL KNEE-SHIN SYSTEM, POWERED AND PROGRAMMABLE FLEXION/EXTENSION ASSIST CONTROL, INCLUDES ANY 
TYPE MOTOR(S)) is only covered when the beneficiary meets all of the criteria below: 
 
    Has a microprocessor (swing and stance phase type (L5856)) controlled (electronic) knee 
 
    K3 functional level only 
 
    Has a documented comorbidity of the spine and/or sound limb affecting hip extension and/or quadriceps 
function that impairs K-3 level function with the use of a microprocessor-controlled knee alone 
 
    Is able to make use of a product that requires daily charging 
 
    Is able to understand and respond to error alerts and alarms indicating problems with the function of the unit 
 
If these coverage criteria for the knee component are not met, L5859 will be denied as not reasonable and 
necessary. 
 
 You can find these rules in Local Coverage Determination: Lower Limb Prostheses (L33787). 
 
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.