L0140 Cervical Semi-Rigid Collar | HCPCS Reimbursement | OpenPayer

Summary & Overview

HCPCS L0140: Cervical Semi-Rigid Adjustable Plastic Collar

HCPCS Level II code L0140 denotes a cervical, semi-rigid, adjustable plastic collar used as an external cervical orthosis. Nationally, this code is important for coding and reimbursement of commonly prescribed neck collars for immobilization following mild to moderate cervical strain, postoperative support, or during conservative management of cervical conditions. Accurate use of L0140 affects durable medical equipment (DME) billing workflows, patient access to appropriate orthotic devices, and payer coverage determinations.

Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. The publication summarizes coverage patterns and coding considerations across these payers and highlights clinical contexts where a semi-rigid adjustable collar is typically used.

Readers will find: benchmark information on how L0140 is billed across major payers, a concise clinical context for device use, and summaries of common documentation and coding elements relevant to DME claims. Where input data is not provided, the report notes "Data not available in the input." The focus is national in scope and aims to clarify coding nomenclature, service settings, and the role of L0140 in orthotic management pathways.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicareL0140HCPCS Level IIcervical collardurable medical equipmentorthosisspine supportoutpatient DMEmedical billingdevice coding

Billing Code Overview

HCPCS Level II code L0140 describes a cervical, semi-rigid, adjustable (plastic collar). This device is an external cervical orthosis intended to provide immobilization and support to the cervical spine.

Service Type: Durable medical equipment — cervical orthosis

Typical Site of Service: Outpatient clinic, durable medical equipment supplier, or patient home for use in non-acute settings

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 68-year-old male presents to the outpatient orthopedic clinic after a ground-level fall with neck pain, decreased range of motion, and point tenderness over the cervical spine. A lateral cervical spine X-ray obtained in the emergency department shows no acute displaced fracture but the clinician documents suspected cervical strain with need for immobilization while pain and soft-tissue injury are managed. The clinician prescribes a semi-rigid, adjustable plastic cervical collar (L0140) to provide short-term stabilization, limit motion, and reduce pain during the acute recovery period. The device is fitted in the clinic by orthopedic or durable medical equipment staff, with instructions provided on wear time, skin checks, and return precautions. Typical sites of service include outpatient orthopedic/sports medicine clinics, hospital outpatient departments, emergency departments, and durable medical equipment suppliers where fitting and delivery occur.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`LT`	Left side	Use when a procedure or device pertains specifically to the left side; rarely applicable for midline cervical collars but used if laterality is documented for associated procedures or supply records.

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HCPCS-L4070-REPLACE-KAFO-UPRIGHTS

HCPCS L4070: Replace Proximal and Distal Uprights for KAFO

HCPCS-L1904-CUSTOM-ANKLE-ORTHOSIS-ANKLE-GAUNTLET

HCPCS L1904: Custom-Fabricated Ankle Orthosis, Ankle Gauntlet

HCPCS-L2375-LOWER-EXTREMITY-TORSION-CONTROL-ANKLE-HALF-STIRRUP

HCPCS L2375: Lower Extremity Torsion Control Ankle Joint, Half Solid Stirrup

HCPCS-L1240-TLSO-LOW-PROFILE-LUMBAR-DEROTATION-PAD

HCPCS L1240: TLSO Addition, Low-Profile Lumbar Derotation Pad

HCPCS-L3225-ORTHOPEDIC-MANS-OXFORD-SHOE-FOR-ORTHOSIS

HCPCS L3225: Orthopedic Man's Oxford Shoe as Part of Orthosis

HCPCS-L0472-TLSO-TRIPLANAR-CONTROL-HYPEREXTENSION-RIGID-FRAME

HCPCS L0472: TLSO Triplanar Control Hyperextension, Rigid Anterior/Lateral Frame

HCPCS-L3400-METATARSAL-BAR-WEDGE-ROCKER

HCPCS L3400: Metatarsal Bar Wedge, Rocker

HCPCS-L3150-FOOT-ABDUCTION-ROTATION-BAR-WITHOUT-SHOES

HCPCS L3150: Foot Abduction Rotation Bar, Without Shoes

HCPCS-L2210-LOWER-EXTREMITY-DORSIFLEXION-ASSIST-ADDITION

HCPCS L2210: Addition to Lower Extremity, Dorsiflexion Assist (Each Joint)

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RT

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`207R00000X`	Orthopedic Surgery	Orthopedic surgeons commonly order and fit cervical collars for acute neck injuries and postoperative immobilization.
`207L00000X`	Spine Surgery	Spine surgeons prescribe cervical orthoses for cervical spine stabilization after trauma or surgery.
`207V00000X`	Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation	Physiatrists manage nonoperative spine care, including bracing and functional rehabilitation.
`3336C0002X`	Durable Medical Equipment Supplier	DME providers fit, supply, and bill for semi-rigid cervical collars under DME billing processes.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`S13.4XXA`	Sprain of ligaments of cervical spine, initial encounter	Cervical collars are used to immobilize and limit motion for acute cervical sprain.
`S16.1XXA`	Contusion of neck, initial encounter	Semi-rigid collars provide support and symptom relief after blunt neck trauma.
`M50.121`	Cervical disc disorder with radiculopathy, high cervical region	Collars may be used short-term to reduce motion and pain associated with symptomatic disc disease.
`M53.2X1`	Cervicogenic headache, right side	Immobilization and reduced cervical motion can be part of conservative management for cervical pain-related headaches.
`M48.02`	Spinal stenosis, cervical region	Temporary cervical immobilization may be used in selected symptomatic patients as adjunctive therapy.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`99202`	Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of a new patient, low complexity	Initial outpatient visit during which the cervical collar may be prescribed and fitted.
`99213`	Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, low to moderate complexity	Follow-up visit to reassess pain, fit, and ongoing need for the cervical collar.
`72100`	Radiologic examination, spine, cervical; single view	Single-view cervical spine X-ray often performed before issuing a cervical collar to evaluate for fracture.
`72110`	Radiologic examination, spine, cervical; 2 or 3 views	Multi-view cervical spine radiographs obtained in acute neck injury evaluation prior to bracing.
`97010`	Application of a modality to 1 or more areas; hot or cold packs	Adjunctive conservative therapy commonly used alongside bracing for symptom control.

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