Does L5220 require prior authorization?

Yes, L5220 requires prior authorization (high confidence). At least one active policy explicitly requires prior authorization.

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`L5220`, Above knee, short prosthesis, no knee joint ('stubbies'), with articulated

HCPCS/CPT

Prior Authorization

Prior Auth Required

At least one active policy explicitly requires prior authorization (high confidence)

Documentation Required

Medical records must document the beneficiary’s current functional and physical capabilities and the expected functional potential, and must explain differences between current and expected functional states if present.
A clinical evaluation to determine the beneficiary’s functional level must be performed and documented in the medical record.
For fluid/pneumatic/electronic knee coverage for functional level 2, the medical record must document the rationale that the selected knee will improve functional outcomes (e.g., fall reduction), help accomplish ADLs, and that lower-level knee systems were considered and ruled out.

For addition L5859, documentation must show an existing microprocessor knee (L5856), K3 functional level, documented spine and/or sound-limb comorbidity impairing hip extension/quadriceps that limits K3 function with microprocessor knee alone, and beneficiary ability to daily charge and respond to alerts.

Key Coverage Criteria

A lower limb prosthesis is covered when the beneficiary is motivated to ambulate.
A lower limb prosthesis is covered when the beneficiary is expected to reach or maintain a defined functional state within a reasonable period of time.
Coverage and component selection are based on a documented functional level (K-level 0–4) determined by the treating practitioner and prosthetist considering past prosthetic use, residual limb status, comorbidities, and the beneficiary’s desire to ambulate.
Foot components L5970 or L5974 are covered for beneficiaries with functional level >=1.
Flexible-keel foot L5972 or multiaxial ankle/foot L5978 are covered for beneficiaries with functional level >=2.
Microprocessor-controlled ankle/foot (L5973), energy storing (L5976), dynamic response multi-axial (L5979), flex foot systems (L5980,L5981), or shank-foot with vertical loading pylon (L5987) are covered when the beneficiary is functional level >=3, or when functional level =2 and the beneficiary meets the level-2 knee coverage criteria and a higher-level foot is required for safe use of the prescribed knee.

11 Active Policies

ANTHEM-CG-DME-13, Lower Limb Prosthesis

EVICORE-HPLAN-CIGNA_MEDICARE-268F28B96146, Cigna Medicare Advantage Durable Medical Equipment Code List - Effective 01/01/2025

L33787, Lower Limb Prostheses

UHC-POL-lower-extremity-prosthetics, Lower Extremity Prosthetics

BCBSIL-DME104.012, Lower-Limb Prosthetics, Including Microprocessor-Controlled Prosthetics

BCBSMT-DME104.012, Lower-Limb Prosthetics, Including Microprocessor-Controlled Prosthetics

BCBSNM-DME104.012, Lower-Limb Prosthetics, Including Microprocessor-Controlled Prosthetics

BCBSOK-DME104.012, Lower-Limb Prosthetics, Including Microprocessor-Controlled Prosthetics

REGENCE-DME18, Definitive Lower Limb Prostheses

UMR-POL-UMR-lower-extremity-prosthetics, Lower Extremity Prosthetics

SUREST-POL-SUREST-lower-extremity-prosthetics, Lower Extremity Prosthetics

`L5220`, Above knee, short prosthesis, no knee joint ('stubbies'), with articulated

Prior Authorization

Documentation Required

Key Coverage Criteria

11 Active Policies

Related Codes

Have a follow-up question?

L5220, Above knee, short prosthesis, no knee joint ('stubbies'), with articulated

Prior Authorization

Documentation Required

Key Coverage Criteria

11 Active Policies

Related Codes

Have a follow-up question?

`L5220`, Above knee, short prosthesis, no knee joint ('stubbies'), with articulated