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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesOrthotic Procedures and servicesHCPCS hcpcs-l3960-shoulder-elbow-wrist-hand-orthosis-abduction-airplane-prefab
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    HCPCS Level II L3960: Shoulder-Elbow-Wrist-Hand Abduction Orthosis

    HCPCS Level II code L3960 describes a prefabricated shoulder-elbow-wrist-hand orthosis in an abduction positioning, airplane design that includes fitting and adjustment; this device is used for upper extremity immobilization and positioning following shoulder or proximal arm injury or surgery and is typically supplied by durable medical equipment providers for use in outpatient clinics, orthopedic or physical medicine practices, and home settings as a therapeutic/supportive orthotic.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Interferential Stimulation Devices (for home use), Durable Medical Equipment (DME): Tumor Treating Fields (Alternating Electric Field Therapy) Medical Guideline, Durable Medical Equipment (DME): Bone Growth Stimulators Medical Guideline.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 46-year-old patient presents to an outpatient orthotics and prosthetics clinic three weeks after rotator cuff repair and open reduction internal fixation of a proximal humerus fracture. The surgeon orders an abduction positioning orthosis to maintain the shoulder in an abducted, slightly externally rotated position to protect the repair during the early healing phase. The device supplied is a prefabricated shoulder-elbow-wrist-hand orthosis in an airplane (abduction) design, documented as L3960, and includes fitting and adjustment by a certified orthotist. Clinical workflow: initial evaluation by the orthotist to confirm prescription and sizing; delivery and in-clinic fitting with straps and pads adjusted; patient education on donning/doffing, skin checks, wear schedule, and precautions; documentation of medical necessity, device model, side (RT or LT), and any modifier use; follow-up visits for adjustments and to support transition to a removable sling as healing progresses. Typical sites of service are outpatient orthotics/prosthetics clinics, hospital-based DME departments, and ambulatory surgery centers for immediate postoperative fittings.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    99070Supplies and materials (except spectacles), provided by the physician over and above those usually included with the office visitMay be used for additional non-covered consumable supplies provided during fitting (per payer rules)
    97760Orthotic(s) management and training; initial encounter, lower extremity, upper extremity, and/or trunk, with training one or more areas, each 15 minutesUsed when the orthotist or therapist provides training on use, care, and donning/doffing of the shoulder abduction orthosis
    97530Therapeutic activities, direct (one-on-one) patient contact by the provider, each 15 minutesMay be billed by occupational therapy for functional retraining while using the orthosis
    99203Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of a new patient, typically 30 minutesInitial evaluation visit when medical necessity and prescription for L3960 are documented
    99080Special reports such as treatment plans, narrative summaries, and other medical documentation as required by payerUsed when a payer requires additional documentation to support medical necessity for the orthosis

    Related Modifiers

    7 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    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…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    225100000XPhysical TherapistPhysical therapists (PTs) are licensed health care professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the very oldest, who…
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    207P00000XEmergency Medicine PhysicianAn emergency physician focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the pre-hospit…
    207R00000XInternal Medicine PhysicianA physician who provides long-term, comprehensive care in the office and the hospital, managing both common and complex illness of adolescents, adults…
    2083P0901XPublic Health & General Preventive Medicine PhysicianPublic health and general preventive medicine focuses on promoting health, preventing disease, and managing the health of communities and defined popu…
    2085U0001XDiagnostic Ultrasound PhysicianA Radiology doctor of Osteopathy that specializes in Diagnostic Ultrasound.
    106E00000XAssistant Behavior AnalystAn assistant behavior analyst is qualified by Behavior Analyst Certification Board certification and/or a state-issued license or credential in behavi…
    126800000XDental AssistantAn individual who may or may not have completed an accredited dental assisting education program and who aids the dentist in providing patient care se…

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Durable Medical Equipment (DME)1 / 3

    5 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    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
    General Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Medical GuidelineWPS Health Insurance2026-10-01
    Prior Authorization for Durable Medical Equipment (DME)Blue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island2026-10-01

    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-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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