Summary & Overview
HCPCS L3320: Lift, Elevation, Heel and Sole, Cork, Per Inch
HCPCS Level II code L3320 denotes a cork heel-and-sole lift measured and billed per inch. The code applies to orthopedic shoe modifications that add vertical elevation to address limb length discrepancy, gait abnormalities, or post-surgical requirements. Nationally, such durable medical equipment and shoe-modification codes are relevant for musculoskeletal rehabilitation, durable medical equipment coverage determinations, and billing consistency across outpatient orthotics suppliers.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of the clinical context for heel-and-sole lifts, typical sites of service, and the range of billing considerations tied to HCPCS Level II code L3320. The publication summarizes benchmarkable elements such as common payer coverage patterns, coding and billing practice points, and where to look for policy updates affecting reimbursement and documentation requirements.
The content provides operational guidance on how this code is categorized within durable medical equipment and orthotic services, clarifies the service type and likely clinical indications, and highlights which payers to review for specific coverage rules and prior authorization requirements. Data not available in the input is noted where appropriate.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code L3320 describes a lift, elevation, heel and sole, cork, per inch. This code represents an orthopedic shoe modification that adds vertical lift or elevation to the heel and sole using cork material, billed per inch of lift applied.
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Service type: Durable medical equipment / orthotic shoe modification
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Typical site of service: Outpatient orthotics and prosthetics clinics, specialty footwear suppliers, and durable medical equipment providers
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Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult presenting to a podiatry or orthopedic clinic with a symptomatic leg-length discrepancy, plantar pressure imbalance, or localized heel pain due to a limb-length inequality or heel/sole wear requiring a built-up cork lift. The clinician documents height of the required lift in inches and prescribes a cork heel/sole lift L3320 (priced per inch). The workflow: evaluation by a podiatrist or orthopedic surgeon including gait assessment and measurement of discrepancy, order for a cork lift with documented inches, communication with a DME supplier or orthotist, fabrication or adjustment of the lift, and follow-up to assess symptom improvement and fit. Typical site of service is outpatient podiatry, orthopedics clinic, or durable medical equipment (DME) supplier; the item may be furnished in clinic or delivered to patient at home.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
LT | Left side | When the lift is specifically for the left shoe/foot |
RT | Right side | When the lift is specifically for the right shoe/foot |