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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDurable medical equipment (DME) Medicare administrative contractors (MACs)HCPCS hcpcs-k0053-elevating-articulating-footrest
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    HCPCS Level II K0053: Elevating Articulating (Telescoping) Footrest

    HCPCS Level II code K0053 describes an elevating, articulating (telescoping) footrest, a durable medical equipment accessory used to adjust leg and foot position for pressure relief or positioning; service typically involves supply or adjustment of the footrest component for a wheelchair or seating system and is provided as durable medical equipment in outpatient, home, or mobility device supplier settings.

    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 patient who uses a manual or power wheelchair presents for a seating and mobility adjustment visit to improve lower extremity positioning and comfort. Typical patients include individuals with spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke-related hemiparesis, or lower‑extremity contractures who require modification of the wheelchair footrests. The service K0053 (elevating footrests, articulating (telescoping), each) is supplied when a clinician or durable medical equipment (DME) technician fits or replaces an articulating, telescoping elevating footrest on a wheelchair to allow adjustable knee and ankle positioning for pressure management, improved transfer safety, pain reduction, or to accommodate leg-length discrepancy.

    The clinical workflow: the DME supplier receives an order from a treating clinician documenting medical necessity (for example, impaired mobility with risk of skin breakdown, pain with dependent leg positioning, or need for improved transfer mechanics). A seating assessment is completed by a physical therapist or occupational therapist when indicated. The DME technician measures and selects the appropriate K0053 component(s), fits the articulating elevating footrests to the wheelchair, verifies range of motion and secure attachment, instructs the patient/caregiver on use and safe transfer technique, and documents fit, function, and education in the medical record. Follow-up visits evaluate skin integrity, fit, and need for adjustments or replacement.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    97760Orthotic(s)/prosthetic(s) provision, initial encounter, fitted and supplied; short term (e.g., less than 30 days) training for use of deviceUsed when the provider documents patient training in use of the elevating footrest and wheelchair transfers during the initial fitting visit.
    97763Orthotic(s)/prosthetic(s) management and training, initial encounter, each 15 minutesUsed for ongoing device training and management sessions after initial fitting.
    97530Therapeutic activities, direct (one-on-one) patient contact by the provider (use of dynamic activities to improve functional performance)Used by occupational or physical therapists addressing functional mobility and transfer training related to footrest use.
    99070Supplies and materials (except spectacles), provided by the physician over and above those usually included with the office visit or other servicesUsed to report additional non-billable supplies or minor components provided during the fitting (facility-specific billing practices may vary).
    A9270Non-covered item or service (used by some payors for reporting supplies)Used administratively by some payors/suppliers when non-covered components or accessories are provided alongside K0053.

    Related Modifiers

    8 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    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…
    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…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    225100000XPhysical TherapistPhysical therapists (PTs) are licensed health care professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the very oldest, who…
    225200000XPhysical Therapy Assistant(1)Physical therapist assistants are skilled health care providers who are graduates of a physical therapist assistant associate degree program accred…
    333600000XPharmacyA facility used by pharmacists for the compounding and dispensing of medicinal preparations and other associated professional and administrative servi…
    207Q00000XFamily Medicine PhysicianFamily Medicine is the medical specialty which is concerned with the total health care of the individual and the family. It is the specialty in breadt…
    261QM1300XMulti-Specialty Clinic/CenterAmbulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
    246QL0901XDiplomate Laboratory Management Specialist/TechnologistTechnologists, Technicians & Other Technical Service Providers · Specialist/Technologist, Pathology
    261QX0100XOccupational Medicine Clinic/CenterAmbulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
    2084S0012XSleep Medicine (Psychiatry & Neurology) PhysicianA Psychiatrist or Neurologist who practices Sleep Medicine is certified in the subspecialty of sleep medicine and specializes in the clinical assessme…

    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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