December 21, 2020

APMA’s DME Workgroup coordinator Paul Kesselman, DPM, presented during the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Public Meeting on December 21 to support APMA’s request that HCPCS L3010 narrative description be updated to reflect current usage and to address member issues in prescribing and dispensing these devices. APMA argued that HCPCS L3010 Code Descriptors should be updated to:

• reflect advances in technology and materials since origin of these codes in 1970s;
• provide uniformity and consistency for utilizers of L3010; and
• avoid access to care issues for patients due to ICD-10 issues so that patients may “usually” receive these devices bilaterally.

The current coding language mainly dates back prior to development of the HCPCS code set in the 1970s and has not been updated since 1993, well prior to the advent of modern-day materials and manufacturing techniques. Representatives from the American Orthotics and Prosthetics Association (AOPA) and the Pedorthic Footcare Association (PFA) also presented in support of APMA’s efforts. Outcomes from the public meeting will be available in January 2021, and APMA will update members when additional information is available. 

For other information on APMA’s L300-family collaborative efforts, visit www.apma.org/l3000. For more information on APMA’s DME advocacy, visit www.apma.org/dme.

Related Resources

National STOP THE BLEED® Day is May 19

—

Learn More

About APMA Advocacy Foot Health Treatment Footwear & Products Practice Management Reimbursement Issues Coding Medicare

CMS Updates its FAQS for Accelerated and Advance Payment

—

Learn More

About APMA Advocacy Foot Health Treatment Footwear & Products Practice Management Reimbursement Issues Coding Medicare