E0973 Wheelchair Armrest HCPCS Reimbursement | OpenPayer

Summary & Overview

HCPCS Level II E0973: Wheelchair Adjustable Detachable Armrest

HCPCS Level II code E0973 denotes a wheelchair accessory: an adjustable-height, detachable armrest sold as a complete assembly. Nationally, this code matters because it standardizes billing for a commonly requested wheelchair modification that affects patient comfort, upper‑extremity support, and independence. Proper coding supports consistent reimbursement for suppliers and clarity for clinicians and durable medical equipment (DME) programs.

Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the code’s clinical context and service setting, comparisons of payer coverage practices where available, and benchmarks relevant to billing and supply chain considerations. The report also outlines common billing modifiers and related administrative issues that frequently arise with DME accessories.

This publication is intended for billing professionals, DME suppliers, clinical teams involved in mobility device selection, and policy analysts seeking a clear, nationally oriented briefing on the administrative and clinical role of E0973. Data not available in the input is identified where applicable.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicareE0973HCPCS Level IIwheelchair accessorydurable medical equipmentmobility devicearmrestoutpatient servicesDME billingaccessory assembly

Billing Code Overview

HCPCS Level II code E0973 describes a wheelchair accessory: an adjustable height, detachable armrest, complete assembly, each. This item is an accessory component intended to provide adjustable arm support and can be detached from the wheelchair frame as needed.

Service Type: Durable medical equipment accessory
Typical Site of Service: Durable medical equipment supply settings, outpatient clinics, home health environments, and other non-inpatient care locations where wheelchairs and mobility aids are provided or maintained.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 72-year-old patient with progressive mobility limitations due to chronic stroke and hemiparesis requires a durable medical equipment (DME) modification to their manual wheelchair. The existing wheelchair has worn or non-adjustable armrests causing shoulder pain and difficulty performing pressure relief and transfers. A supplier evaluates the wheelchair and prescribes an adjustable height, detachable armrest, complete assembly to improve seated posture, facilitate lateral transfers, and permit customized arm support for bedding and activities of daily living. The clinical workflow includes wheelchair assessment by a physical therapist or orthotist, documentation of functional deficits and measurable goals, selection of the E0973 accessory, fitting and adjustment during a home visit or DME clinic appointment, patient/caregiver training for safe detachment and re-attachment, and completion of supplier delivery and setup documentation for billing and reimbursement.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`LT`	Left side	When the armrest accessory is supplied for the left side only
`RT`

HCPCS E2221: Manual Wheelchair Solid Caster Tire, Replacement

HCPCS-E0765-NERVE-STIMULATOR-FOR-NAUSEA-AND-VOMITING

HCPCS Level II E0765: Nerve Stimulator for Treatment of Nausea and Vomiting

HCPCS-E1238-PEDIATRIC-FOLDING-ADJUSTABLE-WHEELCHAIR-NO-SEATING-SYSTEM

HCPCS Level II E1238: Pediatric Folding Adjustable Wheelchair (no seating system)

HCPCS-E1829-DYNAMIC-TOE-FLEXION-DEVICE

HCPCS Level II E1829: Dynamic Adjustable Toe Flexion Device

HCPCS-E0232-WARMING-CARD-NON-CONTACT-WOUND-WARMING-ACCESSORY

HCPCS E0232: Warming Card for Non‑Contact Wound Warming

HCPCS-E2322-POWER-WHEELCHAIR-HAND-CONTROL-NONPROPORTIONAL

HCPCS E2322: Power Wheelchair Hand Control Interface, Nonproportional

HCPCS-E1805-DYNAMIC-ADJUSTABLE-WRIST-EXTENSION-FLEXION-DEVICE

HCPCS E1805: Dynamic Adjustable Wrist Extension and Flexion Device

HCPCS-E2391-POWER-WHEELCHAIR-CASTER-TIRE-REPLACEMENT

HCPCS Level II E2391: Power Wheelchair Solid Caster Tire, Replacement

HCPCS-E1228-SPECIAL-BACK-HEIGHT-WHEELCHAIR

HCPCS Level II E1228: Special Back Height for Wheelchair

HCPCS-E0994-ARM-REST-DME-COMPONENT

HCPCS E0994: Arm Rest, Each

Showing 1–10 of 670

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`253E00000X`	Physical Therapist	Performs wheelchair assessment and documents functional need and goals
`222100000X`	Orthotist/Prosthetist	Measures, fits, and adjusts wheelchair accessories and assemblies
`332B00000X`	Durable Medical Equipment Supplier	Supplies, delivers, and documents DME items such as `E0973`
`207L00000X`	Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician	Provides medical justification and orders for wheelchair modifications
`2084P0800X`	Occupational Therapist	Assesses self-care and transfer needs and recommends armrest configuration

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`M62.81`	Muscle weakness (generalized)	Weakness affecting arm control may necessitate adjustable arm support to maintain posture and facilitate function
`G81.90`	Hemiplegia, unspecified affecting unspecified side	Post-stroke hemiplegia commonly requires wheelchair modifications including detachable armrests for transfers and care
`M54.2`	Cervicalgia	Neck pain with scapular dysfunction may be alleviated by proper arm support and positioning in the wheelchair
`R26.2`	Difficulty in walking, not elsewhere classified	Patients with ambulatory limitations often rely on wheelchairs and need customized accessories for safety
`M25.511`	Pain in right shoulder	Shoulder pain can be managed by adjustable armrest positioning to reduce strain during sitting and transfers

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`97530`	Therapeutic activities, direct (one-on-one) patient contact by the provider, use of dynamic activities to improve functional performance (15 minutes)	Performed by a therapist during wheelchair assessment and training on transfers and use of the new armrest assembly
`97162`	Physical therapy evaluation, moderate complexity	Documentation of the evaluation that supports medical necessity for the armrest accessory
`97110`	Therapeutic exercises to develop strength and endurance, range of motion and flexibility (15 minutes)	Used in therapy sessions to improve upper extremity function to utilize the adjustable armrest safely
`97542`	Wheelchair management (e.g., assessment, fitting, training)	Directly related to assessment, fitting, and training for the `E0973` armrest accessory
`99070`	Supplies and materials (e.g., splints, casts, therapeutic devices) provided by the physician over and above those usually included with the office visit	May be used for minor parts or supplies related to fitting or customizing the armrest during a clinic appointment

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