CMS Releases 2017 HCPCS Codes

 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the new HCPCS codes for 2017, and there were only a few minor changes.

The biggest change was the deletion of the temporary K codes (K0901 & K0902), which became effective on October 1, 2014, to describe off the shelf (OTS) versions of custom fitted knee orthoses described by L1843 and L1845, and their subsequent crosswalk to new permanent L codes (L1851 & L1852).

Below is a complete breakdown of the code changes which will be effective for claims with a date of service on or after January 1, 2017.

 New Codes 

Code Descriptor
A4467 Belt, strap, sleeve, garment, or covering, any type
A9285 Inversion/eversion correction device
L1851 Knee orthosis (KO), single upright, thigh and calf, with adjustable flexion and extension joint (unicentric or polycentric), medial-lateral and rotation control, with or without varus/valgus adjustment, prefabricated, off-the-shelf
L1852 Knee orthosis (KO), double upright, thigh and calf, with adjustable flexion and extension joint (unicentric or polycentric), medial-lateral and rotation control, with or without varus/valgus adjustment, prefabricated, off-the-shelf

Changes in Code Descriptors 

Code New Descriptor Old Descriptor
L1906 Ankle foot orthosis, multiligamentous ankle support, prefabricated, off-the-shelf AFO, multiligamentous ankle support, prefabricated, off-the-shelf

Deleted Codes 

Code Descriptor
A4466 Garment, belt, sleeve or other covering, elastic or similar stretchable material, any type, each
K0901 Knee orthosis (ko), single upright, thigh and calf, with adjustable flexion and extension joint (unicentric or polycentric), medial-lateral and rotation control, with or without varus/valgus adjustment, prefabricated, off-the-shelf
K0902 Knee orthosis (ko), double upright, thigh and calf, with adjustable flexion and extension joint (unicentric or polycentric), medial-lateral and rotation control, with or without varus/valgus adjustment, prefabricated, off-the-shelf

 

AOPA‘s Coding and Reimbursement Committee will review the list of changes and provide appropriate comments to CMS.

As a reminder registration is still open for the December 14, 2016 AOPAversity webinar, New Codes & What Lies Ahead for 2017, which will focus on the changes to the HCPCS codes and any other upcoming Medicare changes which may impact your business in 2017.

Questions regarding the code changes may be directed to Joe McTernan at jmcternan@AOPAnet.org , or Devon Bernard at dbernard@AOPAnet.org.