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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDurable Medical EquipmentHCPCS hcpcs-e0117-articulating-spring-assisted-underarm-crutch
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    HCPCS Level II E0117: Crutch, Underarm, Articulating, Spring-Assisted

    HCPCS Level II code E0117 describes an underarm articulating crutch with spring-assisted action, supplied as a durable medical equipment item for ambulation assistance; service type: assistive ambulation device; typical site of service: outpatient durable medical equipment suppliers, rehabilitation clinics, or home use following clinical fitting and delivery.

    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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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 68-year-old patient presents to an orthopedics clinic after a fall at home resulting in a nondisplaced femoral neck fracture treated nonoperatively and limited weight bearing. The patient demonstrates adequate upper-extremity strength but requires mobility assistance to ambulate safely at home and during rehabilitation. After assessment by the orthopedic surgeon and a physical therapist, an underarm articulating, spring-assisted crutch is selected for improved energy efficiency, shock absorption, and joint protection during gait training. The clinic documents medical necessity, trains the patient on proper fitting and use, and arranges durable medical equipment (DME) delivery. Typical workflow: clinician documents diagnosis and weight-bearing status, orders DME using billing code E0117, selects appropriate modifiers if required, obtains prior authorization from the patient’s payor (for example, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, BUCA, Medicare), coordinates physical therapy gait training, and completes follow-up to assess fit and function.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    97161Physical therapy evaluation: low complexityPerformed before issuing E0117 to document functional status and need for ambulatory assistive device.
    97110Therapeutic exerciseUsed in rehabilitation to strengthen upper extremity and core to safely use underarm crutches.
    97116Gait training (includes stair climbing)Directly related to teaching the patient to ambulate with E0117 and document progress.
    97530Therapeutic activitiesFunctional mobility training that supports the clinical justification for a spring-assisted crutch.
    99456Work-related or medical-legal evaluation (local)May be used if documentation is required for return-to-work or disability justification when DME is provided.

    Related Modifiers

    7 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    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…
    82Modifier 82 is appended to a surgical CPT code to indicate that an attending physician acted as an assistant because a qualified resident surgeon was unavailable. In teaching hospitals it documents…- When to use: Append modifier 82 in teaching-hospital settings to indicate a physician served as an assistant surgeon because a qualified resident surgeon was unavailable (includes situations where…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207Q00000X
    225100000X
    332B00000X
    261QM1102X
    207VE0102X
    156FC0801X
    261QP2300X
    204R00000X

    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-E0116-UNDERARM-CRUTCH-NON-WOOD-ADJUSTABLE-FIXED

    HCPCS E0116: Underarm Crutch, Non-Wood, Adjustable/Fixed with Pad

    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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