2025 HCPCS code L1832
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Orthotics - Knee Orthotics Orthotic Procedures and services Feed
Prefabsricated, customized knee orthosis with adjustable joints and rigid support, modified to fit a specific patient.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of service.Consult the most current modifier guidelines for applicable options.
Medical necessity for L1832 is established by the presence of a condition requiring a custom-fitted knee orthosis for support, stability, and controlled range of motion. The documentation must support the clinical need for the specific features of the orthosis (e.g., adjustable joints, rigid support) and show that these features are necessary to improve the patient's function and quality of life.
The clinical responsibility lies with the physician or other qualified healthcare professional who assesses the patient's needs, orders the orthosis, and ensures proper fitting and adjustment by a qualified orthotist.
In simple words: This code is for a special knee brace that's made to fit a person's leg exactly. It has adjustable parts to help control how the knee bends, and it's usually used after knee surgery to help the knee heal.
This HCPCS code represents a prefabricated, customized, unicentric or polycentric positional knee orthosis featuring adjustable joints and rigid support.A qualified provider modifies it to fit a specific patient. The orthosis aids in supporting or correcting the alignment of bony structures.The adjustable knee joint controls knee movement in one or multiple directions (medially, laterally, rotationally).Unicentric joints have a single axis of movement, while polycentric joints allow movement along multiple axes.The brace uses uprights (often metal) to control movement and may offer flexion and extension adjustability. It's designed for weight-bearing patients and is frequently used in early post-operative knee rehabilitation.
Example 1: Post-operative knee replacement: A patient undergoes total knee arthroplasty.The surgeon orders a custom-fitted knee orthosis (L1832) for post-operative support and controlled range of motion during rehabilitation., Knee ligament injury: A patient sustains a significant knee ligament injury requiring surgical repair.Following surgery, a customized knee brace (L1832) is prescribed to provide stability and support during the healing process and to guide rehabilitation exercises., Osteoarthritis management:A patient with severe osteoarthritis experiences significant knee pain and instability.A custom-fitted knee orthosis (L1832) helps to alleviate pain, improve stability, and enhance the patient's mobility and functional capacity.
* Physician's order specifying the need for a custom-fitted knee orthosis.* Detailed clinical assessment documenting the patient's condition, diagnosis, and functional limitations.* Measurements and specifications taken by a qualified orthotist to ensure proper fitting of the orthosis.* Documentation of the modifications made to the prefabricated orthosis to customize it for the patient.* Evidence of the orthotist's expertise in fitting and adjusting custom knee orthoses.* Progress notes demonstrating the effectiveness of the orthosis in improving the patient's condition.
** Ensure that the documentation clearly distinguishes L1832 (custom-fitted) from L1833 (prefabricated, off-the-shelf).
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: The use of a technical component (TC) modifier is not applicable to this code as it represents the supply of a custom-fitted orthosis.
- Specialties:Orthopedics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Sports Medicine
- Place of Service:Office, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center