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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesProsthetic ProceduresHCPCS hcpcs-l5979-lower-extremity-prosthesis-multi-axial-ankle-dynamic-foot
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    HCPCS L5979: Lower Extremity Prosthesis, Multi-Axial Ankle with Dynamic Foot

    HCPCS Level II code L5979 describes an all lower extremity prosthesis that combines a multi-axial ankle with a dynamic response foot in a one-piece system; this device is used as a prosthetic lower limb component (prosthesis) designed to provide controlled ankle articulation and energy-return during ambulation, typically provided by prosthetists in outpatient prosthetics clinics, orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) offices, or specialized rehabilitation centers for patients requiring a transtibial or higher lower extremity prosthesis component.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Clinical Review Criteria — Lymphedema Therapy and Training (Complete Decongestive Therapy; LVA), Therapy Services — Electric Stimulation for Pain, Swelling and Function in a Clinic Setting, Site of Care: Outpatient Hospital Setting for Physical and Occupational Therapy.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 56-year-old male with transtibial amputation from a motor vehicle collision presents to a regional prosthetics clinic for prosthetic fitting and delivery. He has stable residual-limb volume, intact skin, good balance, and community ambulator goals. The prosthetist prescribes a lower extremity prosthesis that integrates a multi-axial ankle with a dynamic response foot as a one-piece system billed with L5979. The clinical workflow includes pre-fitting evaluation (residual-limb assessment, gait analysis, functional level determination), ordering and fabrication of the customized one-piece prosthesis, in-clinic fitting and alignment, patient education on donning/doffing and gait training, and scheduled follow-up visits for adjustments and functional outcome assessment. Typical durable medical equipment supplier and prosthetist interaction includes verification of benefit coverage, medical necessity documentation, and use of appropriate modifier codes on claims. Typical site of service is an outpatient prosthetics clinic or ambulatory specialty clinic; occasional fittings occur in a hospital outpatient department for postoperative patients or in skilled nursing facilities for homebound patients.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    97760Orthotic management and training, initial encounter; fitting and training on use of prosthesis, lower extremityUsed for initial training and education after delivery of L5979 prosthesis.
    97763Orthotic/prosthetic management and training, subsequent encounterUsed for follow-up gait training, adjustments, and functional progression after initial fitting.
    97001Physical therapy evaluationPerformed prior to or during prosthetic fitting to document functional status and plan therapy.
    97750Physical performance test or measurementUsed to document baseline and post-fitting functional outcome measures (timed walk, balance).
    99070Supplies and materials provided by the physician over and above those usually includedUsed when additional supplies for fitting, padding, or liners are provided that are not included in the prosthesis fee.

    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…
    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…
    55Modifier –55 indicates the billing provider furnished only postoperative management for a procedure that has a global surgical period. According to AAPC, this modifier is appended to the same CPT…- Use modifier -55 when billing the same CPT surgical code that has a 10- or 90-day global period and you, as a provider other than the original surgeon, furnished ONLY postoperative management (no…
    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 CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    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…
    208D00000XGeneral Practice PhysicianA physician who specializes in the general practice of diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with a variety of illnesses and conditions.
    103TR0400XRehabilitation PsychologistA psychologist who specializes in the study and application of psychological principles on behalf of persons who have disability due to injury or illn…
    364SX0106XOccupational Health Clinical Nurse SpecialistPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Clinical Nurse Specialist
    167G00000XLicensed Psychiatric TechnicianAn individual licensed by the state board as a Psychiatric Technician based upon completion of a prescribed course of theory and clinical practice, wi…
    225XN1300XNeurorehabilitation Occupational TherapistRespiratory, Developmental, Rehabilitative and Restorative Service Providers · Occupational Therapist
    376K00000XNurse's Aide(1) An unlicensed individual who is trained to function in an assistive role to the licensed nurse in the provision of patient/client activities as de…

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    24 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    E10.621Type 1 diabetes mellitus with foot ulcer
    E11.621Type 2 diabetes mellitus with foot ulcer
    G54.6Phantom limb syndrome with pain
    G57.61Lesion of plantar nerve, right lower limb
    G62.0Drug-induced polyneuropathy
    M21.6X1Other acquired deformities of right foot
    M21.6X2Other acquired deformities of left foot
    M84.461APathological fracture, right tibia, initial encounter for fracture
    M86.171Other acute osteomyelitis, right ankle and foot
    O99.892Other specified diseases and conditions complicating childbirth

    Showing 1–10 of 24

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Physical Medicine, Rehab & Therapies1 / 2

    3 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Clinical Review Criteria — Lymphedema Therapy and Training (Complete Decongestive Therapy; LVA)Kaiser Permanente2026-09-01
    Therapy Services — Electric Stimulation for Pain, Swelling and Function in a Clinic SettingCigna2026-08-15
    Site of Care: Outpatient Hospital Setting for Physical and Occupational TherapyCigna2026-08-15

    Related Codes

    HCPCS-L5000-PARTIAL-FOOT-SHOE-INSERT-LONGITUDINAL-ARCH-TOE-FILLER

    HCPCS Level II L5000: Partial Foot Shoe Insert with Longitudinal Arch, Toe Filler

    HCPCS-L5010-PARTIAL-FOOT-MOLDED-SOCKET-ANKLE-HEIGHT-TOE-FILLER

    HCPCS L5010: Partial Foot Molded Socket, Ankle Height, With Toe Filler

    HCPCS-L5020-PARTIAL-FOOT-MOLDED-SOCKET-TIBIAL-TUBERCLE-TOE-FILLER

    HCPCS L5020: Partial Foot Molded Socket with Toe Filler

    HCPCS-L5050-ANKLE-SYMES-MOLDED-SOCKET-SACH-FOOT

    HCPCS L5050: Ankle/Symes Molded Socket with SACH Foot

    HCPCS-L5060-ANKLE-SYMES-METAL-FRAME-MOLDED-LEATHER-SOCKET-ARTICULATED-ANKLE-FOOT

    HCPCS L5060: Ankle/Symes Metal Frame with Molded Leather Socket

    HCPCS-L5100-BELOW-KNEE-MOLDED-SOCKET-SHIN-SACH-FOOT

    HCPCS Level II L5100: Below-Knee Molded Socket with Shin and SACH Foot

    HCPCS-L5105-BELOW-KNEE-PLASTIC-SOCKET-SACH-FOOT

    HCPCS L5105: Below-Knee Plastic Socket Prosthesis with SACH Foot

    HCPCS-L5150-KNEE-DISARTICULATION-MOLDED-SOCKET-EXTERNAL-KNEE-SACH-FOOT

    HCPCS L5150: Knee Disarticulation Molded Socket with External Knee and SACH Foot

    HCPCS-L5160-KNEE-DISARTICULATION-MOLDED-SOCKET-BENT-KNEE-SACH-FOOT

    HCPCS Level II L5160: Knee Disarticulation Molded Socket, Bent Knee Configuration

    HCPCS-L5200-ABOVE-KNEE-MOLDED-SOCKET-SINGLE-AXIS-KNEE-SACH-FOOT

    HCPCS Level II L5200: Above-knee Prosthesis with Molded Socket and Single-axis Knee

    Showing 1–10 of 472

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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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