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    v1.0.31
    OpenPayerBilling CodesOrthotic Procedures and servicesHCPCS hcpcs-l1933-prefabricated-carbon-fiber-rigid-afo
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    HCPCS L1933: Ankle-Foot Orthosis, Rigid Carbon Fiber, Prefabricated

    HCPCS Level II code L1933 describes a prefabricated, off-the-shelf ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) with a rigid anterior tibial section made of total carbon fiber or equivalent material; service type is prosthetic/orthotic device supply and the typical site of service is outpatient clinics, orthotics/prosthetics offices, or durable medical equipment suppliers where off-the-shelf AFOs are evaluated, fitted, and dispensed.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Patient-Controlled End Range of Motion Stretching Devices, Sleep Position Trainer, Hospital Beds Corporate Medical Policy.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 62-year-old ambulatory patient presents to an outpatient orthopedic or durable medical equipment (DME) clinic with progressive drop foot and anterior tibialis weakness following a cerebrovascular accident six months prior. The patient ambulates with a foot slap and frequent tripping, and conservative measures (physical therapy, ankle-foot exercises, and ankle stabilization footwear) produced insufficient improvement. The prescribing clinician (orthopedist or physiatrist) documents functional gait impairment and orders an off-the-shelf prefabricated rigid anterior tibial section ankle-foot orthosis made of total carbon fiber (L1933) to provide dorsiflexion assist, reduce foot drop, and improve safety during community ambulation.

    Workflow:

    • Initial evaluation by a physician (orthopedics, physical medicine & rehabilitation) including gait assessment, neurologic exam, and documentation of functional limitations and prior conservative care.

    • Order written for a prefabricated rigid anterior tibial section AFO (L1933) with justification (medical necessity, functional deficits).

    • DME supplier performs fitting visit in the clinic or outpatient DME facility, verifies size, and provides the off-the-shelf L1933 device. Supplier documents item serial/lot, manufacturing specifications, fitting adjustments, patient education, and return precautions.

    • Post-delivery follow-up visit (in-person or telehealth) to assess fit, skin integrity, gait changes, and need for adjustment or escalation to custom-molded orthosis if inadequate benefit.

    • Typical sites of service: outpatient orthopedic clinic, rehabilitation clinic, durable medical equipment supplier location, or outpatient hospital-based DME clinic.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    99203Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of a new patient, typically 30 minutesUsed when an initial physician evaluation results in the order for L1933; documents medical necessity and prior conservative care.
    99213Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, typically 15 minutesUsed for follow-up visits assessing fit, function, and documented response after orthosis delivery.
    97760Orthotic management and training, upper extremity, lower extremity, and trunk, initial orthotic use and training, with training of patient to use deviceUsed by physical therapists or orthotists to provide gait training and instruction after provision of the L1933.
    97763

    Related Modifiers

    8 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    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…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    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…
    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…
    82Modifier 82 is appended to a surgical CPT code to indicate that an attending physician acted as an assistant because a qualified resident surgeon was unavailable. In teaching hospitals it documents…- When to use: Append modifier 82 in teaching-hospital settings to indicate a physician served as an assistant surgeon because a qualified resident surgeon was unavailable (includes situations where…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207X00000X
    208100000X
    363A00000X
    363LX0001X
    103K00000X
    2083C0008X
    364SX0200X
    207WX0200X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Durable Medical Equipment (DME)1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Patient-Controlled End Range of Motion Stretching DevicesBluecross Idaho2027-01-01
    Sleep Position Trainerregence2027-01-01
    Hospital Beds Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2027-01-01
    Continuous Passive Motion Devices with Remote Monitoring or Adaptive CapabilitiesBlue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island2026-12-01
    Bone Growth StimulatorsMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-12-01
    Prior Authorization for Durable Medical Equipment (DME)Blue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island2026-12-01
    Patient Liftsuniverahealthcare2026-11-16
    Durable Medical Equipment RepairsCareSource Georgia2026-11-01
    Custom Compression GarmentsModa Health2026-11-01
    Tonic Motor Activation (TOMAC) for Restless Legs Syndromeregence2026-11-01

    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-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

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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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    Orthotic/prosthetic device management (including assessment, fitting, and training) by a prosthetist, orthotist, or technician
    Used by certified orthotists for fitting, minor modifications, and patient education related to L1933.
    99070Supplies and materials (except spectacles), provided by the physician over and above those usually included with the office visitUse for non-billable accessory supplies associated with fitting or skin protection when payer allows.