HCPCS L1834: Knee Orthosis, Rigid, Custom Fabricated

HCPCS Level II code L1834 describes a custom-fabricated rigid knee orthosis without a knee joint, used to provide structural support and immobilization of the knee; the service is a durable medical equipment orthotic fabrication typically delivered in outpatient orthotics/prosthetics clinics or specialty orthopedic offices and may involve fitting and adjustments as part of provision.

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HCPCS L1834: Knee Orthosis, Rigid, Custom Fabricated

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 58-year-old patient with post-traumatic tibial plateau malalignment and chronic knee instability is referred by an orthopedic surgeon for a custom fabricated rigid knee orthosis without a knee joint to provide mid-thigh to proximal calf immobilization and coronal plane support. The orthotist performs a comprehensive evaluation including measurements, a plaster or digital cast of the limb, material selection, and alignment planning. A physician order documenting medical necessity is obtained citing impaired weight-bearing mechanics and instability. The device is fabricated in a custom workshop, fitted to the patient at a dedicated orthotics clinic visit, and adjusted for pressure relief, limb length discrepancy, and skin integrity. Follow-up visits are scheduled at 2 and 8 weeks to assess fit, function, and skin status; documentation includes the initial evaluation, casting/impression record, fabrication details, fit check notes, and any modifications. Billing uses HCPCS code L1834 for the custom rigid knee orthosis without knee joint; supplier and clinician correspondence includes patient demographics, diagnosis, order, and itemized fabrication charges.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`20610`	Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection; major joint or bursa (e.g., shoulder, hip, knee)	Performed pre-fitting if joint injections are needed to control effusion or pain prior to casting and fitting
`97001`	Physical therapy evaluation	Functional assessment frequently performed before ordering a custom orthosis to document deficits and goals
`97760`	Orthotic management and training; initial device	Provider education and training on use and care of the custom rigid knee orthosis, typically billed during the fitting visit
`99070`	Supplies and materials provided by physician over and above those usually included with the office visit	May be used for ancillary supplies provided at fitting (subject to payer rules)

Related Modifiers

5 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
52	Modifier ‑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…
59	Modifier 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…
62	Modifier 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…
78	CPT 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…
80	CPT® 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	Specialty	Notes
225100000X	Physical Therapist	Physical therapists (PTs) are licensed health care professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the very oldest, who…
208000000X	Pediatrics Physician	A pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
207L00000X	Anesthesiology Physician	An anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
2471C1106X	Cardiac-Interventional Technology Radiologic Technologist	A radiologic technologist who specializes in cardiac interventional and is appropriately educated and trained, consistent with nationally recognized s…
103TP0016X	Prescribing (Medical) Psychologist	A licensed, doctoral-level psychologist authorized to prescribe and has undergone specialized education and training in preparation for prescriptive p…
111NR0400X	Rehabilitation Chiropractor	Rehabilitation is the discipline focused on restoring a patient's functional abilities to pre-injury or pre-disease status. Functional abilities are d…
202C00000X	Independent Medical Examiner Physician	A special evaluator not involved with the medical care of the individual examinee that impartially evaluates the care being provided by other practiti…
101YP1600X	Pastoral Counselor	Behavioral Health & Social Service Providers · Counselor

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

22 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
M17.0	Bilateral primary osteoarthritis of knee
M17.10	Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, unspecified knee
M17.11	Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, right knee
M17.12	Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, left knee
M17.2	Bilateral post-traumatic osteoarthritis of knee
M17.9	Osteoarthritis of knee, unspecified
M22.2X1	Patellofemoral disorders, right knee
M22.2X2	Patellofemoral disorders, left knee
M25.461	Effusion, right knee
M25.462	Effusion, left knee

Showing 1–10 of 22

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-L0174-CERVICAL-COLLAR-SEMI-RIGID-THORACIC-EXTENSION

HCPCS L0174: Cervical Collar, Semi-Rigid Thermoplastic with Thoracic Extension

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

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

Showing 1–10 of 466

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`20610`	Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection; major joint or bursa (e.g., shoulder, hip, knee)	Performed pre-fitting if joint injections are needed to control effusion or pain prior to casting and fitting
`97001`	Physical therapy evaluation	Functional assessment frequently performed before ordering a custom orthosis to document deficits and goals
`97760`	Orthotic management and training; initial device	Provider education and training on use and care of the custom rigid knee orthosis, typically billed during the fitting visit
`99070`	Supplies and materials provided by physician over and above those usually included with the office visit	May be used for ancillary supplies provided at fitting (subject to payer rules)

Related Modifiers

5 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
52	Modifier ‑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…
59	Modifier 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…
62	Modifier 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…
78	CPT 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…
80	CPT® 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	Specialty	Notes
225100000X	Physical Therapist	Physical therapists (PTs) are licensed health care professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the very oldest, who…
208000000X	Pediatrics Physician	A pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
207L00000X	Anesthesiology Physician	An anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
2471C1106X	Cardiac-Interventional Technology Radiologic Technologist	A radiologic technologist who specializes in cardiac interventional and is appropriately educated and trained, consistent with nationally recognized s…
103TP0016X	Prescribing (Medical) Psychologist	A licensed, doctoral-level psychologist authorized to prescribe and has undergone specialized education and training in preparation for prescriptive p…
111NR0400X	Rehabilitation Chiropractor	Rehabilitation is the discipline focused on restoring a patient's functional abilities to pre-injury or pre-disease status. Functional abilities are d…
202C00000X	Independent Medical Examiner Physician	A special evaluator not involved with the medical care of the individual examinee that impartially evaluates the care being provided by other practiti…
101YP1600X	Pastoral Counselor	Behavioral Health & Social Service Providers · Counselor

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

22 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
M17.0	Bilateral primary osteoarthritis of knee
M17.10	Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, unspecified knee
M17.11	Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, right knee
M17.12	Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, left knee
M17.2	Bilateral post-traumatic osteoarthritis of knee
M17.9	Osteoarthritis of knee, unspecified
M22.2X1	Patellofemoral disorders, right knee
M22.2X2	Patellofemoral disorders, left knee
M25.461	Effusion, right knee
M25.462	Effusion, left knee

Showing 1–10 of 22

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-L0174-CERVICAL-COLLAR-SEMI-RIGID-THORACIC-EXTENSION

HCPCS L0174: Cervical Collar, Semi-Rigid Thermoplastic with Thoracic Extension

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

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

Showing 1–10 of 466

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

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HCPCS L1834: Knee Orthosis, Rigid, Custom Fabricated

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HCPCS L1834: Knee Orthosis, Rigid, Custom Fabricated

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

Related Codes

References

HCPCS L1834: Knee Orthosis, Rigid, Custom Fabricated

Sign up for hcpcs L1834 policy alerts

HCPCS L1834: Knee Orthosis, Rigid, Custom Fabricated

Sign up for hcpcs L1834 policy alerts

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

Related Codes

What does HCPCS L1834 describe?

What documentation is commonly required when billing L1834?

What clinical and fabrication steps are involved in providing a device billed with L1834?

Which related CPT codes are commonly associated with a custom rigid knee orthosis service?

What diagnoses listed in the page are relevant clinical indications for L1834?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

Related Codes

What does HCPCS L1834 describe?

What documentation is commonly required when billing L1834?

What clinical and fabrication steps are involved in providing a device billed with L1834?

Which related CPT codes are commonly associated with a custom rigid knee orthosis service?

What diagnoses listed in the page are relevant clinical indications for L1834?

References