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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 when an initial below knee prosthesis (L5500) or a preparatory below knee prosthesis 
(L5510, L5520, L5530, L5540) is provided, prosthetic substitutions and/or additions of procedures and 
components are covered in accordance with the functional level assessment except for codes L5629, L5638, 
L5639, L5646, L5647, L5704, L5785, L5962, and L5980 which will be denied as not reasonable and 
necessary. When a below knee preparatory prefabricated prosthesis (L5535) is provided, prosthetic 
substitutions and/or additions of procedures are covered in accordance with the functional level assessment 
except for codes L5620, L5629, L5645, L5646, L5670, L5676, L5704, and L5962 which will be denied as not 
reasonable and necessary. 
 
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 these rules in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) Lower Limb Prostheses L33787. 
 
The rules say that protective outer surface covering systems (L5962, L5964, and L5966) are specialized covers 
intended to be worn over an existing prosthesis. They are used by a beneficiary who has special needs for 
protection against unusually harsh environmental situations where it is necessary to protect the lower limb 
prosthesis beyond the level of protection that is afforded by L5704, L5705, L5706, and L5707. They are not for 
cosmetic or convenience reasons, or for everyday usage in a typical environment. Protective outer surface 
coverings are different from the covering that is already reimbursed as part of L5704, L5705, L5706, 
and L5707. 
 
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). 
 
Addition codes for lower extremity prostheses, L5970, L5971, L5972, L5974, L5975, L5976, L5978, L5979, 
L5980, L5981, L5987 are considered an upgrade to the solid ankle cushioned heel (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. 
 
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. The 
predicate product is the Total Shock that was manufactured by Century XXII International, Inc. 
 
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 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.