HCPCS Level II L1844: Knee Orthosis, Single Upright, Custom Fabricated

HCPCS Level II code L1844 describes a custom-fabricated knee orthosis, single upright with thigh and calf sections, featuring an adjustable flexion/extension joint (unicentric or polycentric) and medial-lateral and rotation control, with or without varus/valgus adjustment; service type: custom knee orthosis fabrication and fitting; typical site of service: orthotics/prosthetics clinic, outpatient rehabilitation, or specialty orthopedic clinic.

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HCPCS Level II L1844: Knee Orthosis, Single Upright, Custom Fabricated

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 62-year-old patient with medial compartment osteoarthritis and varus knee alignment is evaluated in an outpatient orthotics clinic following conservative management with physical therapy and medications. The orthotist performs a measured evaluation, documents knee instability and functional limitations, and prescribes a custom-fabricated single upright knee orthosis with adjustable flexion/extension joint and medial-lateral/rotation control to unload the affected compartment and improve stability during ambulation. The workflow includes: patient evaluation and measurement, selection of L1844 as the device, fabrication based on custom casts or digital measurements, fitting and adjustments at delivery, patient education on donning/doffing and joint lock settings, and scheduled follow-up visits for reassessment.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`99213`	Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, typically 15 minutes	Used for the orthotics evaluation visit where `L1844` is prescribed and measurements are obtained
`97760`	Orthotic(s) management and training, upper extremity, lower extremity, and/or trunk, initial; one or more pieces, each 15 minutes	Billed by therapists for patient training in donning, doffing, and functional use of the knee orthosis
`97763`	Orthotic(s) management and training, each 15 minutes, subsequent	Used for follow-up training visits after initial instruction
`73660`	X-ray, ankle, complete, minimum of 3 views (example musculoskeletal imaging code)	Imaging such as knee radiographs (`73660` is an example code for lower extremity imaging) ordered during evaluation; used as diagnostic support prior to orthosis fitting
`20610`	Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection; major joint or bursa (e.g., knee)	May be performed by the treating clinician for symptomatic management prior to or in coordination with orthotic treatment

Related Modifiers

5 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
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…
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…
53	Modifier 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…
22	Modifier –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…
81	Modifier -81 indicates a physician served as a minimal assistant surgeon for part—not all—of an operative procedure. Use when a physician’s assisting role is limited and does not represent full…	- Use CPT modifier -81 when a physician acts as a minimum assistant surgeon who assists during only part (a limited portion) of an operative procedure; append -81 to the primary surgical CPT code to…

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…
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…
2080P0206X	Pediatric Gastroenterology Physician	A pediatrician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive systems of infants, children and adolescents. This speciali…
207K00000X	Allergy & Immunology Physician	An allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
213ES0131X	Foot Surgery Podiatrist	Podiatric Medicine & Surgery Service Providers · Podiatrist
163WH0200X	Home Health Registered Nurse	Nursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse
2251E1200X	Ergonomics Physical Therapist	A licensed physical therapist who has demonstrated specialized knowledge and skills pertaining to the workplace, occupational demands, prevention of w…
207VF0040X	Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery (Obstetrics & Gynecology) Physician	A subspecialist in Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery is a physician in Urology or Obstetrics and Gynecology who, by virtue of education …

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
`99213`	Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, typically 15 minutes	Used for the orthotics evaluation visit where `L1844` is prescribed and measurements are obtained
`97760`	Orthotic(s) management and training, upper extremity, lower extremity, and/or trunk, initial; one or more pieces, each 15 minutes	Billed by therapists for patient training in donning, doffing, and functional use of the knee orthosis
`97763`	Orthotic(s) management and training, each 15 minutes, subsequent	Used for follow-up training visits after initial instruction
`73660`	X-ray, ankle, complete, minimum of 3 views (example musculoskeletal imaging code)	Imaging such as knee radiographs (`73660` is an example code for lower extremity imaging) ordered during evaluation; used as diagnostic support prior to orthosis fitting
`20610`	Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection; major joint or bursa (e.g., knee)	May be performed by the treating clinician for symptomatic management prior to or in coordination with orthotic treatment

Related Modifiers

5 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
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…
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…
53	Modifier 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…
22	Modifier –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…
81	Modifier -81 indicates a physician served as a minimal assistant surgeon for part—not all—of an operative procedure. Use when a physician’s assisting role is limited and does not represent full…	- Use CPT modifier -81 when a physician acts as a minimum assistant surgeon who assists during only part (a limited portion) of an operative procedure; append -81 to the primary surgical CPT code to…

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…
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…
2080P0206X	Pediatric Gastroenterology Physician	A pediatrician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive systems of infants, children and adolescents. This speciali…
207K00000X	Allergy & Immunology Physician	An allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
213ES0131X	Foot Surgery Podiatrist	Podiatric Medicine & Surgery Service Providers · Podiatrist
163WH0200X	Home Health Registered Nurse	Nursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse
2251E1200X	Ergonomics Physical Therapist	A licensed physical therapist who has demonstrated specialized knowledge and skills pertaining to the workplace, occupational demands, prevention of w…
207VF0040X	Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery (Obstetrics & Gynecology) Physician	A subspecialist in Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery is a physician in Urology or Obstetrics and Gynecology who, by virtue of education …

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 Level II L1844: Knee Orthosis, Single Upright, Custom Fabricated

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HCPCS Level II L1844: Knee Orthosis, Single Upright, Custom Fabricated

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Codes

References

HCPCS Level II L1844: Knee Orthosis, Single Upright, Custom Fabricated

Sign up for hcpcs L1844 policy alerts

HCPCS Level II L1844: Knee Orthosis, Single Upright, Custom Fabricated

Sign up for hcpcs L1844 policy alerts

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Codes

What exactly does HCPCS code L1844 represent and where is it typically furnished?

Which modifiers are commonly used with L1844 and when should they be applied?

What clinical indications and workflow are associated with prescribing and fitting L1844?

Which CPT codes are commonly associated with the evaluation, training, or imaging related to L1844?

Which payers are commonly involved with coverage of L1844 and is there guidance on payer-specific policy use?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Codes

What exactly does HCPCS code L1844 represent and where is it typically furnished?

Which modifiers are commonly used with L1844 and when should they be applied?

What clinical indications and workflow are associated with prescribing and fitting L1844?

Which CPT codes are commonly associated with the evaluation, training, or imaging related to L1844?

Which payers are commonly involved with coverage of L1844 and is there guidance on payer-specific policy use?

References