Summary & Overview
HCPCS K0040: Adjustable Angle Footplate, Each
HCPCS Level II code K0040 identifies an adjustable angle footplate supplied as individual durable medical equipment. Nationally, this code matters because it is used to bill for a common mobility accessory that affects patient function, seating comfort, and alignment for individuals requiring customized foot support. Coverage, coding clarity, and documentation for components like footplates influence access to assistive technology and downstream costs for suppliers and payers. Key payers addressed in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of what K0040 represents clinically and operationally, typical sites of service, and the payer landscape covered. The publication provides benchmarks where available, summarizes relevant policy and coverage considerations at the national level, and situates K0040 in clinical context—how an adjustable angle footplate is used within mobility and seating solutions. Data elements not provided in the input are noted as unavailable. The content is intended to support billing staff, clinicians, and policy analysts in recognizing the purpose of K0040, expected billing scenarios, and where to look for payer-specific coverage rules.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code K0040 denotes an adjustable angle footplate, each. This code represents a durable medical equipment component designed to provide an adjustable footplate for mobility or positioning devices such as wheelchairs or seating systems. The service type for K0040 is the provision of a durable medical equipment accessory used to support or modify lower-extremity positioning and function. The typical site of service is outpatient durable medical equipment supply, home use, or facility-based durable equipment distribution points.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A patient with foot drop or significant ankle positioning needs an orthotic footplate to provide support, alignment, and pressure distribution. Typical candidates include adults recovering from stroke with weakness of ankle dorsiflexors, patients with peripheral neuropathy and foot deformity, or those requiring a custom wheelchair foot support. In a common outpatient workflow, a prosthetist/orthotist evaluates the patient in a clinic or durable medical equipment (DME) provider setting, documents the functional impairment and measurements, selects an K0040 adjustable angle footplate (each), and fits the component to a wheelchair footrest or custom orthosis. The provider documents medical necessity, the device description, laterality if applicable, and any adjustments performed. The footplate may be ordered by a physiatrist, orthopedist, neurologist, or primary care clinician after conservative measures are documented. Typical site of service is an outpatient DME supplier clinic, orthotics clinic, rehabilitation facility, or hospital outpatient department when provided as part of a complex orthotic or wheelchair fitting.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
LT | Left side | Use when the K0040 footplate is furnished for the left foot. |