E2373 Power Wheelchair Joystick Reimbursement | OpenPayer

Summary & Overview

HCPCS Level II E2373: Power Wheelchair Compact Remote Joystick

HCPCS Level II code E2373 identifies a compact remote joystick used as a hand or chin control interface for power wheelchairs, including fixed mounting hardware. This accessory enables proportional control of powered mobility devices and is an important billing element for durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers, rehabilitation providers, and payers managing durable mobility benefits. Nationally, billing for mobility accessories like E2373 affects durable medical equipment coverage, prior authorization workflows, and mobility device customization for patients with mobility impairments.

Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of what E2373 represents clinically and operationally, common billing and coverage themes across major payers, and the typical sites of service where this accessory is procured and fitted. The publication also covers benchmarks and policy considerations relevant to mobility accessories, documentation expectations, and common administrative issues encountered in claims for power wheelchair controls.

Data not available in the input is noted where applicable; the content focuses on clinical description, service context, payer landscape, and practical billing considerations for HCPCS Level II code E2373.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicareE2373HCPCS Level IIpower wheelchairmobility aidDME accessoryjoystick controlprosthetic mobilitydurable medical equipmentwheelchair controls

Billing Code Overview

HCPCS Level II code E2373 describes a power wheelchair accessory: a hand or chin control interface, specifically a compact remote joystick, proportional, and including fixed mounting hardware. This accessory functions as an input control for powered mobility devices, allowing users to operate a power wheelchair via hand or chin movements.

Service type: Durable medical equipment accessory for mobility control
Typical site of service: Durable medical equipment suppliers, patient residence, or outpatient durable medical equipment fitting and repair locations

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 68-year-old patient with progressive spinal cord injury resulting in tetraplegia requires enhanced power wheelchair control. The patient has preserved cognitive function but limited fine motor hand strength and dexterity, making standard joysticks difficult to operate. The durable medical equipment supplier evaluates the patient in an outpatient clinic or home visit, documents functional limitations, and obtains a physician order for a power wheelchair accessory: a compact proportional remote joystick hand or chin control interface (E2373). A rehabilitation specialist or physiatrist documents the medical necessity, trial fitting, mounting hardware selection, and training plan. The wheelchair technician mounts the fixed hardware, programs proportional response settings to patient needs, and provides caregiver education. Typical sites of service include outpatient rehabilitation clinics, durable medical equipment suppliers’ shops, and patient homes for on-site fitting and training.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when billing only the professional component of a separately payable service related to fitting or assessment provided by a clinician.

HCPCS E2359: Power Wheelchair Sealed Lead Acid Battery

HCPCS-E2222-MANUAL-WHEELCHAIR-SOLID-CASTER-TIRE-REPLACEMENT

HCPCS E2222: Manual Wheelchair Solid Caster Tire, Replacement

HCPCS-E0787-EXTERNAL-AMBULATORY-INSULIN-INFUSION-PUMP-CGS-GUIDED

HCPCS E0787: External Ambulatory Insulin Infusion Pump with CGS Guidance

HCPCS-E1570-ADJUSTABLE-DIALYSIS-CHAIR-ESRD

HCPCS E1570: Adjustable Chair for ESRD Patients

HCPCS-E0946-FRACTURE-FRAME-DUAL-WITH-CROSS-BARS-ATTACHED-TO-BED

HCPCS E0946: Fracture Frame, Dual with Cross Bars, Attached to Bed

HCPCS-E1083-HEMI-WHEELCHAIR-FIXED-ARMS-ELEVATING-LEG-REST

HCPCS E1083: Hemi-Wheelchair with Fixed Arms and Elevating Leg Rest

HCPCS-E1037-TRANSPORT-CHAIR-PEDIATRIC

HCPCS Level II E1037: Pediatric Transport Chair

HCPCS-E1225-WHEELCHAIR-SEMI-RECLINING-BACK-ACCESSORY

HCPCS E1225: Manual Wheelchair Semi-Reclining Back Accessory

HCPCS-E0572-AEROSOL-COMPRESSOR-ADJUSTABLE-PRESSURE-LIGHT-DUTY

HCPCS E0572: Aerosol Compressor, Adjustable Pressure, Light Duty

HCPCS-E0221-INFRARED-HEATING-PAD-SYSTEM

HCPCS E0221: Infrared Heating Pad System

Showing 1–10 of 670

52

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207RH0000X	Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation	Physiatrists perform assessments and order assistive devices.
173C00000X	Occupational Therapy	Occupational therapists evaluate seating, control interfaces, and train patients.
334400000X	Durable Medical Equipment Supplier	DME suppliers fit, mount, and supply the accessory.
208000000X	Physical Therapy	Physical therapists may assist with device training and functional assessment.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`G82.50`	Paraplegia, unspecified	Mobility impairment often requires powered mobility and alternative control interfaces.
`G82.20`	Paraplegia, unspecified, complete	Severe lower-limb paralysis frequently necessitates power wheelchair with custom controls.
`G82.21`	Paraplegia, complete, with paraplegia of lower limb	As above; indicates need for specialized driving controls.
`G82.81`	Tetraplegia, unspecified	Upper extremity paralysis may require chin or alternative proportional controls.
`G83.4`	Cauda equina syndrome	Neurologic impairment causing significant lower extremity dysfunction and mobility aid need.
`M54.5`	Low back pain	Chronic conditions that progress to functional limitations where powered mobility may be appropriate.
`R26.2`	Difficulty in walking, not elsewhere classified	Functional gait impairment leading to consideration of powered mobility and control interfaces.
`I69.391`	Hemiplegia and hemiparesis following cerebral infarction, affecting right dominant side	Post-stroke motor deficits often necessitate customized joystick or chin control interfaces.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`97530`	Therapeutic activities, direct (one-on-one) patient contact by the provider, individual, each 15 minutes	Used for occupational therapy training sessions to teach use of the joystick and functional mobility practice.
`97161`	Physical therapy evaluation, low complexity	Used for initial physical therapy evaluation of mobility and seating needs prior to ordering the accessory.
`97763`	Orthotic and prosthetic management and training, upper limb, lower limb, and/or trunk, initial prosthetic training, per 15 minutes	Used when training on adaptive control interfaces and integration with seating systems.
`99070`	Supplies and materials provided by the physician over and above those usually included with the office visit	Used occasionally for specialized mounting hardware or small supplies not included with standard DME.
`99455`	Work related or medical disability examination by other than treating provider; with medical documentation	Used if a functional capacity evaluation or documentation is required for payor authorization.

OpenPayer