HCPCS E0110: Forearm Crutches, Pair, Complete with Tips and Handgrips

HCPCS Level II code E0110 represents a pair of forearm crutches, complete with tips and handgrips, used as durable medical equipment for patient mobility support. Nationally, this code matters because forearm crutches are a common, low-cost intervention that enables ambulation and independence for patients with lower-extremity injuries, neuromuscular disorders, or temporary weight-bearing restrictions. Coverage policies, prior authorization requirements, and documentation standards for E0110 affect access to mobility aids and can influence overall DME utilization and patient outcomes.

Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context, service settings, and the typical use cases for forearm crutches; a summary of payer coverage considerations and common billing practices; and notes on where data was not provided. The publication includes benchmarks and policy-relevant points where available, plus guidance on documentation elements commonly associated with durable medical equipment claims. Data not available in the input is identified explicitly so readers understand the scope and limitations of the analysis.

Billing Code Overview

HCPCS Level II code E0110 describes forearm crutches, sold as a pair, complete with tips and handgrips. The code encompasses crutches made of various materials and may be adjustable or fixed.

Service type: Durable medical equipment (DME) for mobility support.

Typical site of service: Outpatient equipment supply, home use, durable medical equipment suppliers, and orthotics/prosthetics providers.

Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, and related codes.

Clinical Context

A typical patient is an adult recovering from a lower-extremity injury or surgery who requires non-weight-bearing or partial-weight-bearing ambulation support. For example, a 62-year-old patient following an open reduction internal fixation of a distal tibia fracture is discharged from an orthopedic surgical facility and provided a pair of forearm crutches for home use. The durable medical equipment (DME) order is written by the treating orthopedic surgeon or a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician. A DME supplier verifies patient eligibility, documents medical necessity, performs a brief fitting and education session on gait pattern, crutch height adjustment, handgrip positioning, and safety precautions, and delivers the item to the patient or arranges pickup at the clinic.

Typical workflow steps:

Physician documents diagnosis, mobility limitation, and medical necessity for ambulation assistive device in the medical record and signs the DME order.
DME supplier verifies insurance coverage and obtains prior authorization if required by the payer.
Supplier selects E0110 (forearm crutches, pair), performs measurement and fitting, records delivery, and provides patient education and written instructions.
Supplier bills the payer using E0110 with appropriate modifier(s) to indicate circumstances (for example, delivery, reduced services, or bilateral device). Documentation retained includes the prescription, fitting notes, delivery receipt, and patient education record.

Coding Specifications

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`207RC0000X`	Orthopedic Surgery	Providers who commonly prescribe forearm crutches after lower-extremity injury or surgery.
`2080P0207X`	Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation	Physicians who assess mobility needs and prescribe assistive devices.
`3349P2300X`	Physical Therapist	Therapists who perform gait training and fitting but do not bill DME; involved in education and documentation.
`332B00000X`	Occupational Therapist	May be involved when upper-extremity limitations require specialized fitting or adaptive techniques.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`S82.201A`	Unspecified fracture of shaft of right tibia, initial encounter for closed fracture	Lower-leg fracture often necessitates non-weight-bearing status and forearm crutches for ambulation.
`S82.202A`	Unspecified fracture of shaft of left tibia, initial encounter for closed fracture	Same relevance for left-sided tibial fractures.
`M25.561`	Pain in right knee	Knee pain with functional limitation may require temporary ambulation assistance.
`M25.562`	Pain in left knee	Same relevance for left-sided knee pain limiting ambulation.
`M16.11`	Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, right hip	Hip osteoarthritis causing gait impairment where forearm crutches may assist mobility.
`M16.12`	Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, left hip	Same relevance for left hip involvement.
`G83.4`	Monoplegia of lower limb	Neurologic deficit resulting in need for ambulatory aid such as forearm crutches.
`Z96.651`	Presence of right artificial knee joint	Postoperative or prosthetic joint patients may require temporary ambulation support.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`97035`	Ultrasound therapy, each 15 minutes	Used in outpatient rehab sessions that may precede or accompany gait training and fitting of assistive devices.
`97110`	Therapeutic exercises, each 15 minutes	Commonly provided by physical therapists for strength and mobility training before/after provision of forearm crutches.
`97112`	Neuromuscular reeducation, each 15 minutes	Used when re-educating gait patterns with forearm crutches after surgery or neurologic injury.
`97530`	Therapeutic activities, direct one-on-one	Functional training that often includes practice with assistive devices such as forearm crutches.
`99500`	Home visit for DME setup (non-standard code; may vary by payer)	Used by some suppliers or therapists for in-home fitting and training when billed under local payer rules.

`52`	Reduced services	Use when the supplier provides a reduced version of the item or limited delivery/fitting compared with full service.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use if the device delivery or fitting was initiated but discontinued for patient safety or tolerance reasons.
`59`	Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.
`62`	Two surgeons	Not applicable to DME billing; include only if a supplier bills for services requiring two qualified providers (rare for DME).
`76`	Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.
`78`	Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room	Not applicable to DME; exclude unless linked to a procedure that changes DME need.
`80`	Assistant surgeon	Not applicable to DME; include only if billing professional services with an assistant.
`KC`	Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.
`LT`	Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.

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