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    OpenPayerBilling CodesOrthotic Procedures and servicesHCPCS hcpcs-l0174-cervical-collar-semi-rigid-thoracic-extension
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    HCPCS L0174: Cervical Collar, Semi-Rigid Thermoplastic with Thoracic Extension

    HCPCS Level II code L0174 describes a prefabricated, off-the-shelf semi-rigid thermoplastic cervical collar with foam and a two-piece design that includes a thoracic extension, intended to provide cervical and upper thoracic support; service type is durable medical equipment (cervical orthosis) and the typical site of service is outpatient clinics, durable medical equipment suppliers, or inpatient settings where immobilization is required.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Hospital Beds Corporate Medical Policy, Patient Lifts, Home Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV) Devices for Respiratory Insufficiency and Failure.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 68-year-old patient presents to an outpatient orthotics clinic after a low-energy fall at home with acute neck pain and suspected cervical instability. The patient has a history of cervical spondylosis and osteoporosis, and imaging (radiographs and/or CT) demonstrates multilevel degenerative change without acute displaced fracture but with decreased cervical alignment and symptomatic radiculopathy. The treating clinician (orthopedist or physiatrist) determines immobilization with a semi-rigid cervical collar with thoracic extension is required for symptomatic stabilization and comfort while undergoing further evaluation and conservative management.

    The device supplied is a prefabricated, off-the-shelf two-piece thermoplastic foam semi-rigid cervical collar with thoracic extension (L0174). In the typical workflow the patient is evaluated in clinic, the device is selected and fitted by a medical professional or orthotist, and documentation includes indication, size, fitting details, patient instructions, and plan for follow-up. Billing uses the HCPCS code L0174 for the off-the-shelf orthotic. Common sites of service include outpatient orthotics clinics, physician office settings, emergency departments, and hospital-based clinics. The patient is instructed on wear time, skin checks, and follow-up for reassessment or custom orthosis consideration if symptoms persist or worsen.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    99203Office or other outpatient visit for evaluation and management of a new patient, moderate complexityInitial clinician evaluation that may result in prescription and fitting of L0174 in clinic
    20610Aspiration and/or injection, major joint or bursa (e.g., for cervical facet injection would be different code)Interventional procedures for cervical pain often occur in the overall care pathway; listed as an example of procedures performed in conjunction with conservative orthotic management
    97001Physical therapy evaluationRehabilitation evaluation that often follows orthotic fitting to coordinate mobility and cervical precautions
    97530Therapeutic activitiesTherapy services provided during follow-up care while the patient uses the cervical orthosis
    99070Supplies and materials provided by the physician over and above those usually included with the serviceOccasionally used when additional non-standard supplies related to orthosis fitting are provided

    Related Modifiers

    6 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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207X00000X
    207L00000X
    332B00000X
    208000000X
    363A00000X
    261QA0006X
    163WS0200X
    207RR0500X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    23 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    M48.01Spinal stenosis, occipito-atlanto-axial region
    M48.02Spinal stenosis, cervical region
    M50.00Cervical disc disorder with myelopathy, unspecified cervical region
    M50.01Cervical disc disorder with myelopathy, high cervical region
    M50.10Cervical disc disorder with radiculopathy, unspecified cervical region
    M50.11Cervical disc disorder with radiculopathy, high cervical region
    M50.13Cervical disc disorder with radiculopathy, cervicothoracic region
    M50.20Other cervical disc displacement, unspecified cervical region
    M50.21Other cervical disc displacement, high cervical region
    M50.30Other cervical disc degeneration, unspecified cervical region

    Showing 1–10 of 23

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Durable Medical Equipment (DME)1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Hospital Beds Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2027-01-01
    Patient Liftsuniverahealthcare2026-11-16
    Home Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV) Devices for Respiratory Insufficiency and Failureexcellus_health_plan_inc2026-10-15
    Positive Airway Pressure Devices for Pulmonary Disorders Continued RentalCareSource Georgia2026-10-01
    Bone Growth StimulatorsProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Medical Necessity and CoverageMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-10-01
    Speech Generating DevicesMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-10-01
    Interferential Stimulation Devices (for home use)Moda Health2026-10-01
    Durable Medical Equipment (DME): Tumor Treating Fields (Alternating Electric Field Therapy) Medical GuidelineWPS Health Insurance2026-10-01
    Durable Medical Equipment (DME): Bone Growth Stimulators Medical GuidelineWPS Health Insurance2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    HCPCS-L0112-CRANIAL-CERVICAL-ORTHOSIS-CONGENITAL-TORTICOLLIS-CUSTOM

    HCPCS L0112: Cranial Cervical Orthosis, Congenital Torticollis Type

    HCPCS-L0113-CRANIAL-CERVICAL-ORTHOSIS-TORTICOLLIS

    HCPCS Level II L0113: Prefabricated Cranial Cervical Orthosis for Torticollis

    HCPCS-L0130-CERVICAL-FLEXIBLE-THERMOPLASTIC-COLLAR-MOLDED-TO-PATIENT

    HCPCS Level II L0130: Cervical Flexible Thermoplastic Collar, Molded to Patient

    HCPCS-L0140-CERVICAL-SEMI-RIGID-ADJUSTABLE-PLASTIC-COLLAR

    HCPCS Level II L0140: Cervical Semi-Rigid Adjustable Plastic Collar

    HCPCS-L0150-CERVICAL-SEMI-RIGID-ADJUSTABLE-CHIN-CUP

    HCPCS Level II L0150: Cervical Semi-Rigid Adjustable Chin Cup

    HCPCS-L0160-CERVICAL-SEMI-RIGID-OCCIPITAL-MANDIBULAR-SUPPORT

    HCPCS Level II L0160: Cervical Semi-Rigid Occipital/Mandibular Support

    HCPCS-L0170-CERVICAL-COLLAR-MOLDED-TO-PATIENT-MODEL

    HCPCS Level II L0170: Cervical Collar, Custom-Molded

    HCPCS-L0172-CERVICAL-COLLAR-SEMI-RIGID-THERMOPLASTIC-FOAM

    HCPCS L0172: Cervical Collar, Semi-Rigid Prefabricated

    HCPCS-L0180-CERVICAL-MULTIPLE-POST-COLLAR-OCCIPITAL-MANDIBULAR-ADJUSTABLE

    HCPCS Level II L0180: Cervical Orthosis with Occipital/Mandibular Supports

    HCPCS-L0190-CERVICAL-MULTIPLE-POST-COLLAR-OCCIPITAL-MANDIBULAR-SUPPORT

    HCPCS L0190: Cervical Multiple Post Collar with Occipital/Mandibular Supports

    Showing 1–10 of 466

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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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