HCPCS Level II L3973: Shoulder Elbow Wrist Hand Abduction Positioning Orthosis

HCPCS Level II code L3973 describes a custom-fabricated shoulder-elbow-wrist-hand abduction positioning orthosis (airplane design) that includes a thoracic component and support bar, one or more nontorsion joints, elastic bands, turnbuckles, and may include a soft interface, straps, and fitting/adjustment; this represents an upper extremity orthotic device typically provided as a custom durable medical equipment service and delivered in outpatient orthotics/prosthetics clinics or hospital-based orthotics departments.

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HCPCS Level II L3973: Shoulder Elbow Wrist Hand Abduction Positioning Orthosis

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Get alerted when payer policies referencing L3973 are released or updated.

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 45-year-old patient presents to an orthotics clinic following shoulder stabilization surgery for a multidirectional instability and rotator cuff repair. The surgeon orders a custom-fabricated shoulder elbow wrist hand orthosis (abduction positioning, airplane design) to maintain postoperative shoulder abduction and thoracic stabilization during the early healing phase. The orthotist performs a full evaluation, takes measurements and casts, fabricates the device with a thoracic component and support bar, fits the orthosis in clinic, adjusts one or more nontorsion joints and elastic straps, and documents fitting and patient education. Typical workflow: surgeon referral → orthotist initial evaluation and measurement → custom fabrication → fitting and adjustments (same-day or follow-up visits) → communication to surgeon and inclusion of device delivery in post-op documentation.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`20550`	Injection, tendon sheath, ligament, or ganglion cyst; single or multiple trigger point injections	May be performed pre-provision if corticosteroid injection is used prior to splinting for inflammatory conditions.
`25240`	Application of splint; shoulder immobilizer, with or without sling	A temporary or prefabricated alternative preceding custom fabrication of an abduction orthosis.
`99070`	Supplies and materials (except spectacles), provided by the physician over and above those usually included with the office visit	Used for billing supplemental non-covered supplies or specialized interface materials when allowed by payor policy.
`97760`	Orthotic management and training; initial orthotic(s) fitting and training, upper extremity	Often billed for professional orthotic fitting, training, and adjustments associated with delivery of the custom orthosis.
`97763`	Orthotic(s) management and training; subsequent orthotic visit	Used for follow-up fitting and adjustments after initial delivery of the device.

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…
26	Modifier 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…
33	Modifier 33 was created by the American Medical Association in response to the Affordable Care Act to identify services provided for preventive intent. It is appended to CPT/HCPCS codes that could be…	- Use modifier -33 when a CPT/HCPCS service that can be billed as either preventive or diagnostic/treatment is provided with preventive intent and aligns with USPSTF A or B recommendations or other…
66	Modifier 66 (Surgical Team) is used when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons on a single, highly complex procedure. The AMA defines it for use when a surgical team — often composed of…	- Use modifier 66 when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons working collaboratively as a surgical team on a single, highly complex or difficult procedure (for example organ…
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…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207K00000X	Allergy & Immunology Physician	An allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
208D00000X	General Practice Physician	A physician who specializes in the general practice of diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with a variety of illnesses and conditions.
335U00000X	Organ Procurement Organization	A federally designated organization that works with hospital personnel in retrieval of organs for transplantation. The federal government designates a…
1223G0001X	General Practice Dentistry	A general dentist is the primary dental care provider for patients of all ages. The general dentist is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, manag…
208100000X	Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physician	Physical medicine and rehabilitation, also referred to as rehabilitation medicine, is the medical specialty concerned with diagnosing, evaluating, and…
246QM0706X	Medical Technologist	Technologists, Technicians & Other Technical Service Providers · Specialist/Technologist, Pathology
2279P1005X	Pulmonary Rehabilitation Registered Respiratory Therapist	The respiratory therapist can assist the chronic pulmonary patient in returning to an optimal role in society by providing an effective program. It i…
163WD0400X	Diabetes Educator Registered Nurse	Nursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

27 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
G56.01	Carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper limb
G56.02	Carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper limb
G56.21	Lesion of ulnar nerve, right upper limb
M19.011	Primary osteoarthritis, right shoulder
M19.012	Primary osteoarthritis, left shoulder
M19.071	Primary osteoarthritis, right ankle and foot
M19.072	Primary osteoarthritis, left ankle and foot
M24.211	Disorder of ligament, right shoulder
M24.212	Disorder of ligament, left shoulder
M25.511	Pain in right shoulder

Showing 1–10 of 27

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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Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`20550`	Injection, tendon sheath, ligament, or ganglion cyst; single or multiple trigger point injections	May be performed pre-provision if corticosteroid injection is used prior to splinting for inflammatory conditions.
`25240`	Application of splint; shoulder immobilizer, with or without sling	A temporary or prefabricated alternative preceding custom fabrication of an abduction orthosis.
`99070`	Supplies and materials (except spectacles), provided by the physician over and above those usually included with the office visit	Used for billing supplemental non-covered supplies or specialized interface materials when allowed by payor policy.
`97760`	Orthotic management and training; initial orthotic(s) fitting and training, upper extremity	Often billed for professional orthotic fitting, training, and adjustments associated with delivery of the custom orthosis.
`97763`	Orthotic(s) management and training; subsequent orthotic visit	Used for follow-up fitting and adjustments after initial delivery of the device.

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…
26	Modifier 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…
33	Modifier 33 was created by the American Medical Association in response to the Affordable Care Act to identify services provided for preventive intent. It is appended to CPT/HCPCS codes that could be…	- Use modifier -33 when a CPT/HCPCS service that can be billed as either preventive or diagnostic/treatment is provided with preventive intent and aligns with USPSTF A or B recommendations or other…
66	Modifier 66 (Surgical Team) is used when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons on a single, highly complex procedure. The AMA defines it for use when a surgical team — often composed of…	- Use modifier 66 when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons working collaboratively as a surgical team on a single, highly complex or difficult procedure (for example organ…
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…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207K00000X	Allergy & Immunology Physician	An allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
208D00000X	General Practice Physician	A physician who specializes in the general practice of diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with a variety of illnesses and conditions.
335U00000X	Organ Procurement Organization	A federally designated organization that works with hospital personnel in retrieval of organs for transplantation. The federal government designates a…
1223G0001X	General Practice Dentistry	A general dentist is the primary dental care provider for patients of all ages. The general dentist is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, manag…
208100000X	Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physician	Physical medicine and rehabilitation, also referred to as rehabilitation medicine, is the medical specialty concerned with diagnosing, evaluating, and…
246QM0706X	Medical Technologist	Technologists, Technicians & Other Technical Service Providers · Specialist/Technologist, Pathology
2279P1005X	Pulmonary Rehabilitation Registered Respiratory Therapist	The respiratory therapist can assist the chronic pulmonary patient in returning to an optimal role in society by providing an effective program. It i…
163WD0400X	Diabetes Educator Registered Nurse	Nursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

27 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
G56.01	Carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper limb
G56.02	Carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper limb
G56.21	Lesion of ulnar nerve, right upper limb
M19.011	Primary osteoarthritis, right shoulder
M19.012	Primary osteoarthritis, left shoulder
M19.071	Primary osteoarthritis, right ankle and foot
M19.072	Primary osteoarthritis, left ankle and foot
M24.211	Disorder of ligament, right shoulder
M24.212	Disorder of ligament, left shoulder
M25.511	Pain in right shoulder

Showing 1–10 of 27

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.

OpenPayer

HCPCS Level II L3973: Shoulder Elbow Wrist Hand Abduction Positioning Orthosis

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HCPCS Level II L3973: Shoulder Elbow Wrist Hand Abduction Positioning Orthosis

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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 Level II L3973: Shoulder Elbow Wrist Hand Abduction Positioning Orthosis

Sign up for hcpcs L3973 policy alerts

HCPCS Level II L3973: Shoulder Elbow Wrist Hand Abduction Positioning Orthosis

Sign up for hcpcs L3973 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 L3973 represent and where is it typically provided?

Which modifiers are commonly associated with billing L3973?

Are there CPT codes or other services commonly billed with L3973?

What clinical situations and diagnoses are commonly associated with L3973?

Which payers are referenced and does payer policy affect how L3973 is billed?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

Related Codes

What does HCPCS L3973 represent and where is it typically provided?

Which modifiers are commonly associated with billing L3973?

Are there CPT codes or other services commonly billed with L3973?

What clinical situations and diagnoses are commonly associated with L3973?

Which payers are referenced and does payer policy affect how L3973 is billed?

References