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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDurable Medical EquipmentHCPCS hcpcs-e0116-underarm-crutch-non-wood-adjustable-fixed
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    HCPCS E0116: Underarm Crutch, Non-Wood, Adjustable/Fixed with Pad

    HCPCS Level II code E0116 describes an underarm crutch (non-wood) that may be adjustable or fixed, with pad, tip, and handgrip, with or without a shock absorber, used as durable medical equipment to assist ambulation; the service type is DME (mobility/assistive device) and the typical site of service is outpatient, durable medical equipment suppliers, or acute/rehab settings where ambulation assistance is needed.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Hospital Beds Corporate Medical Policy, Patient Lifts, Home Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV) Devices for Respiratory Insufficiency and Failure.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 62-year-old patient presents to an outpatient orthopedics clinic after sustaining a nondisplaced tibial plateau fracture while ambulating at home. The treating orthopedic surgeon determines the patient can be managed nonoperatively with protected weight bearing and prescribes underarm crutches. Durable medical equipment staff sources a pair of adjustable, nonwood underarm crutches with pads, tips, and handgrips. The clinical workflow: the provider documents the fracture diagnosis and medical necessity for ambulation assistance, writes an order for crutches specifying features (adjustable height, underarm pads, handgrips), the DME supplier verifies payer coverage and collects necessary documentation, supplies the device (one each) and provides brief patient instruction on height adjustment, safe ambulation, and fall precautions. Follow-up during clinic visits includes assessment of mobility, skin integrity under the pad, and continuation or discontinuation of crutch use based on healing progress and transition to cane or normal ambulation.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    97530Therapeutic activities, direct (one-on-one) patient contact by the provider, each 15 minutesOften performed by physical or occupational therapists to teach crutch use and gait training following supply of crutches
    97116Gait training (includes stair climbing)Directly related functional training provided when a patient receives underarm crutches to ensure safe ambulation
    99213Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patientTypical visit where the provider documents diagnosis, orders the crutches, and documents medical necessity
    99070Supplies and materials (e.g., crutches) provided by the physician over and above those usually included with the office visitUsed rarely when office bills for minor supplies associated with device fitting; most DME billed by supplier
    99571Well-child visit supply (immunization administration)Not related; included only when relevant (none applicable)

    Related Modifiers

    5 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207W00000X
    2086S0102X
    207L00000X
    2085R0202X
    251300000X
    183500000X
    225XH1300X
    207PS0010X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Durable Medical Equipment (DME)1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Hospital Beds Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2027-01-01
    Patient Liftsuniverahealthcare2026-11-16
    Home Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV) Devices for Respiratory Insufficiency and Failureexcellus_health_plan_inc2026-10-15
    Positive Airway Pressure Devices for Pulmonary Disorders Continued RentalCareSource Georgia2026-10-01
    Bone Growth StimulatorsProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Medical Necessity and CoverageMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-10-01
    Speech Generating DevicesMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-10-01
    Interferential Stimulation Devices (for home use)Moda Health2026-10-01
    Durable Medical Equipment (DME): Tumor Treating Fields (Alternating Electric Field Therapy) Medical GuidelineWPS Health Insurance2026-10-01
    Durable Medical Equipment (DME): Bone Growth Stimulators Medical GuidelineWPS Health Insurance2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    HCPCS-E0100-CANE-DURABLE-MEDICAL-EQUIPMENT-AMBULATION

    HCPCS E0100: Cane, Adjustable or Fixed, With Tip

    HCPCS-E0105-CANE-QUAD-THREE-PRONG-MOBILITY-AID

    HCPCS Level II E0105: Cane, Quad or Three-Prong, Includes Tips

    HCPCS-E0110-FOREARM-CRUTCHES-PAIR-DME-MOBILITY

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

    HCPCS-E0111-CRUTCH-FOREARM-DURABLE-MEDICAL-EQUIPMENT

    HCPCS Level II E0111: Crutch, Forearm, With Tip and Handgrips

    HCPCS-E0112-UNDERARM-WOOD-CRUTCHES-PAIR

    HCPCS Level II E0112: Underarm Wooden Crutches, Pair

    HCPCS-E0113-CRUTCH-UNDERARM-WOOD-ADJUSTABLE-FIXED-WITH-PAD-TIP-HANDGRIP

    HCPCS Level II E0113: Crutch Underarm, Wood, Adjustable or Fixed

    HCPCS-E0114-UNDERARM-CRUTCHES-PAIR-ADJUSTABLE-FIXED

    HCPCS Level II E0114: Underarm (Axillary) Crutches, Adjustable or Fixed, Pair

    HCPCS-E0117-ARTICULATING-SPRING-ASSISTED-UNDERARM-CRUTCH

    HCPCS Level II E0117: Crutch, Underarm, Articulating, Spring-Assisted

    HCPCS-E0118-LOWER-LEG-PLATFORM-CRUTCH-SUBSTITUTE

    HCPCS E0118: Crutch Substitute, Lower Leg Platform

    HCPCS-E0130-RIGID-PICKUP-WALKER-ADJUSTABLE-FIXED-HEIGHT

    HCPCS Level II E0130: Walker, Rigid (Pickup), Adjustable or Fixed Height

    Showing 1–10 of 670

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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