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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDurable medical equipment (DME) Medicare administrative contractors (MACs)HCPCS hcpcs-k0046-elevating-legrest-lower-extension-tube-replacement
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    HCPCS Level II K0046: Elevating Legrest Lower Extension Tube, Replacement Only

    HCPCS Level II code K0046 describes a replacement part: an elevating legrest lower extension tube, intended as a component replacement for durable medical equipment used to support and position a patient’s lower extremity; service type is replacement of a mobility/seat accessory and the typical site of service is durable medical equipment suppliers, outpatient clinics, or the patient’s home where mobility equipment is used.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Interferential Stimulation Devices (for home use), Prior Authorization for Durable Medical Equipment (DME), Breast Pumps.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 72-year-old male nursing home resident with advanced osteoarthritis and vascular disease uses a powered wheelchair with an elevating legrest. During routine maintenance, the facility wheelchair technician documents a broken lower extension tube on the elevating legrest that prevents safe leg support and positioning. A durable medical equipment (DME) provider is contacted to supply a replacement lower extension tube only for the elevating legrest assembly. The order is processed under the wheelchair replacement parts workflow: verification of existing wheelchair ownership, assessment of the part compatibility with the patient’s current seating system, and shipment of the replacement part to the skilled nursing facility. Documentation includes device serial number, part model, functional need to maintain foot/leg support, and proof of delivery. The service is billed using HCPCS Level II code K0046 for replacement of the elevating legrest lower extension tube.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    97760Orthotic management and training, initial encounter (each 15 minutes)Performed by therapists when a new or replacement wheelchair component changes patient function or requires retraining
    97763Assistive technology assessment, initial encounter (e.g., wheelchair)Used for comprehensive seating and mobility evaluation prior to ordering replacement parts for complex systems
    97530Therapeutic activities, direct (one-on-one)May be billed when therapy addresses mobility or transfers after component replacement affects function
    99070Supplies and materials (non-covered)Used when billing for miscellaneous supplies or non-covered accessory parts alongside the replacement
    A9270Noncovered item or service (DME supply)Used if the replacement lower extension tube is noncovered by the payor and billed to patient or facility

    Related Modifiers

    7 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…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    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 CodeSpecialtyNotes
    3336C0002XClinic PharmacyA pharmacy in a clinic, emergency room or hospital (outpatient) that dispenses medications to patients for self-administration under the supervision o…
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    320700000XPhysical Disabilities Residential Treatment FacilityA residential facility that provides habilitation services and other care and treatment to adults or children diagnosed with physical disabilities and…
    242T00000XPerfusionistA perfusionist operates extracorporeal circulation and autotransfusion equipment during any medical situation where it is necessary to support or temp…
    152WL0500XLow Vision Rehabilitation OptometristOptometrists who specialize in low-vision care having training to assess visual function, prescribe low-vision devices, develop treatment plans, and r…
    363LS0200XSchool Nurse PractitionerPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Nurse Practitioner
    207QS1201XSleep Medicine (Family Medicine) PhysicianA Family Medicine Physician who practices Sleep Medicine is certified in the subspecialty of sleep medicine and specializes in the clinical assessment…
    221700000XArt Therapist(1) An individual who uses art to achieve the therapeutic goals of symptom relief, emotional integration, and recovery from or adjustment to illness o…

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Durable Medical Equipment (DME)1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Interferential Stimulation Devices (for home use)Moda Health2026-10-01
    Prior Authorization for Durable Medical Equipment (DME)Blue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island2026-10-01
    Breast PumpsModa Health2026-09-01
    Personal Emergency Response SystemsCareSource Georgia2026-09-01
    Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) DevicesCigna2026-08-15
    Push-Rim Activated Power-Assist Device (E0986) — Manual Wheelchair Accessorymoda_health_plan_inc2026-08-13
    Beds and Mattresses (for Ohio Only)Colorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-08-01
    Beds and Mattresses (for Kentucky Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Pneumatic Compression Devices (for Nebraska Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Indications for Coverage — Hospital beds, support surfaces, and safety enclosure beds (DME)Colorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    HCPCS-K0001-STANDARD-WHEELCHAIR-DURABLE-MEDICAL-EQUIPMENT

    HCPCS K0001: Standard Wheelchair

    HCPCS-K0002-STANDARD-HEMI-LOW-SEAT-WHEELCHAIR

    HCPCS K0002: Standard Hemi (Low Seat) Wheelchair

    HCPCS-K0003-LIGHTWEIGHT-WHEELCHAIR

    HCPCS K0003: Lightweight Wheelchair

    HCPCS-K0004-HIGH-STRENGTH-LIGHTWEIGHT-WHEELCHAIR

    HCPCS K0004: High Strength, Lightweight Wheelchair

    HCPCS-K0005-ULTRALIGHTWEIGHT-WHEELCHAIR

    HCPCS Level II K0005: Ultralightweight Wheelchair

    HCPCS-K0006-HEAVY-DUTY-WHEELCHAIR

    HCPCS Level II K0006: Heavy Duty Wheelchair

    HCPCS-K0007-EXTRA-HEAVY-DUTY-WHEELCHAIR

    HCPCS Level II K0007: Extra Heavy Duty Wheelchair

    HCPCS-K0008-CUSTOM-MANUAL-WHEELCHAIR

    HCPCS K0008: Custom Manual Wheelchair/Base

    HCPCS-K0009-OTHER-MANUAL-WHEELCHAIR-BASE

    HCPCS K0009: Other Manual Wheelchair/Base

    HCPCS-K0010-STANDARD-WEIGHT-FRAME-POWER-WHEELCHAIR

    HCPCS K0010: Standard Weight Frame Motorized/Power Wheelchair

    Showing 1–10 of 135

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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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