Last Modified: 1/9/2025
Location: FL, PR, USVI
Business: Part B
The DME MACs are providing helpful guidance to assist suppliers in providing a knee orthosis to your patient. Medicare must be able to verify that there is medical record documentation to support the orthosis you are prescribing.
Medicare coverage requires the patient's medical record to show the orthosis is reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury or to improve the functioning of a malformed body member.
Knee orthoses coverage criteria are specific to each type of orthosis. The most common knee orthoses ordered require documentation that show the patient has weakness or deformity of the knee and needs stabilization.
Prefabricated HCPCS Codes L1832, L1833, L1843, L1845, L1851, L1852 and Custom Fabricated HCPCS Codes L1844, L1846 have two potential paths to coverage:
2. Ambulatory and knee instability: Requires your documentation show that the patient is ambulatory and has knee instability. Your examination of the patient and your objective description of joint laxity (such as varus/valgus instability, anterior/posterior Drawer test) are required. In addition, the medical necessity needs to be supported by one of the Group 4 ICD-10-CM codes listed in the
Knee Orthoses LCD-related Policy Article (A52465) 
.
3. A custom fabricated knee orthosis has the same basic coverage criteria as the same type of prefabricated knee orthosis. However, there must also be documentation in your records to medically describe why your patient needs a custom fabricated device instead of a prefabricated knee orthosis. Review the LCD for specific information regarding custom fabricated orthoses.
For full coverage criteria related to the above HCPCS codes or additional knee orthoses, review the
LCD and
Policy Article .
Medicare requires a Face-to-Face Encounter and Written Order Prior to Delivery (WOPD) for some of these braces. The treating practitioner must complete the WOPD within six months after the face-to-face encounter. See the
Required Face-to-Face Encounter and WOPD list 
An order must contain the following elements to be considered a valid SWO:
• Beneficiary's name or Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI)
• Order date
• General description of the item
• The description can be either a general description (e.g., knee orthoses), a HCPCS code, a HCPCS code narrative, or a brand name/model number
• For equipment – In addition to the description of the base item, the SWO may include all concurrently ordered options, accessories or additional features that are separately billed or require an upgraded code (List each separately).
• For supplies – In addition to the description of the base item, the DMEPOS order/prescription may include all concurrently ordered supplies that are separately billed (List each separately)
• Quantity to be dispensed, if applicable
• Treating practitioner name or NPI
• Treating practitioner's signature
Medicare requires that all HCPCS codes that appear on the
Required Prior Authorization List must be submitted for prior authorization before delivery and claim submission.
LCDs and Policy Articles for lower limb orthoses can be located on the DME MAC contractor websites.
• Jurisdiction A (CT, DE, MA, ME, MD, NH, NH, NY, PA, RI, VT, District of Columbia)
• Jurisdiction C (AL, AR, CO, FL, GA, LA, MS, NM, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands)
• Jurisdiction D (AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, IA, KS, MO, MT, NE, NV, ND, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands)
First Coast Service Options (First Coast) strives to ensure that the information available on our provider website is accurate, detailed, and current. Therefore, this is a dynamic site and its content changes daily. It is best to access the site to ensure you have the most current information rather than printing articles or forms that may become obsolete without notice.
