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Foot Orthotics and Other Podiatric Appliances
05.00.35g

Policy

State mandates do not automatically apply to self-funded groups; therefore, individual group benefits must be verified.

Foot orthotics and other podiatric appliances are not covered by the Company because they are a benefit contract exclusion. Therefore, they are not eligible for reimbursement consideration, except for the following circumstances:

INDIVIDUALS ENROLLED IN PENNSYLVANIA PLANS
  • In accordance with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's mandate, orthotics used for the treatment of diabetes are covered when prescribed by an eligible professional provider for individuals enrolled in Pennsylvania Commercial plans that are subject to Pennsylvania's insurance law.
    • State mandates do not automatically apply to self-funded groups, but may be included or excluded at the option of the group; therefore, individual group benefits must be verified.
  • For individuals with a benefit that allows for the coverage of orthotics and podiatric appliances for the prevention of complications associated with diabetes.
INDIVIDUALS ENROLLED IN NEW JERSEY PLANS
  • In accordance with the State of New Jersey's orthotic and prosthetic appliances mandate, individuals who are enrolled in New Jersey commercial plans may obtain an orthotic appliance from any licensed orthotist prosthetist, or certified pedorthist, as determined medically necessary and prescribed by a professional provider. These appliances will be covered by the Company accordingly. ​
  • For individuals who are enrolled in New Jersey plans, certain foot orthotics and podiatric appliances may be prescribed and obtained from a New Jersey podiatrist (refer to the coding for a list of the foot orthotics and podiatric appliances).
ADDITIONAL COVERAGE REQUIREMENTS ​

A foot orthotic is a fitted, custom-fabricated device only available by prescription. Items available over-the-counter do not meet the Company's definition of an orthotic.

If the foot orthotic or other podiatric appliance is a replacement for a previously covered orthotic or other podiatric appliance, report the code for the item itself appended with the appropriate modifier.

When a product includes benefits for foot orthotics and/or other podiatric appliances provided for conditions other than diabetes and/or its complications (e.g., peripheral vascular disease), only the items outlined as exceptions to the standard contract exclusion are covered and eligible for reimbursement consideration. Individual member benefits must be verified.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

The Company may conduct reviews and audits of services to our members regardless of the participation status of the provider. Medical record documentation must be maintained on file to reflect the medical necessity of the care and services provided. These medical records may include but are not limited to: records from the professional provider’s office, hospital, nursing home, home health agencies, therapies, and test reports. This policy is consistent with Medicare's documentation requirements, including the following required documentation:

PRESCRIPTION (ORDER) REQUIREMENTS
Before submitting a claim to the Company, the supplier must have on file a timely, appropriate, and complete order for each item billed that is signed and dated by the professional provider who is treating the member. Requesting a provider to sign a retrospective order at the time of an audit or after an audit for submission as an original order, reorder, or updated order will not satisfy the requirement to maintain a timely professional provider order on file.

PROOF OF DELIVERY
Medical record documentation must include a contemporaneously prepared delivery confirmation or member’s receipt of supplies and equipment. The medical record documentation must include a copy of delivery confirmation if delivered by a commercial carrier and a signed copy of delivery confirmation by member/caregiver if delivered by the DME supplier/provider. All documentation is to be prepared contemporaneous with delivery and be available to the Company upon request.

CONSUMABLE SUPPLIES
The durable medical equipment (DME) supplier must monitor the quantity of accessories and supplies an individual is actually using. Contacting the individual regarding replenishment of supplies should not be done earlier than approximately seven days prior to the delivery/shipping date. Dated documentation of this contact with the individual is required in the individual’s medical record. Delivery of the supplies should not be done earlier than approximately five days before the individual would exhaust their on-hand supply.

If required documentation is not available on file to support a claim at the time of an audit or record request, the durable medical equipment (DME) supplier may be required to reimburse the Company for overpayments.

Guidelines

BENEFIT APPLICATION

Subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable benefit contract, foot orthotics and other podiatric appliances are, generally, benefit contract exclusions for all products of the Company, with the following exceptions:
  • Foot orthotics are covered for individuals with diabetes and/or its complications under the medical benefits of the Company’s products. Individual member benefits must be verified.
  • Foot orthotics are a benefit for individuals in accordance with applicable state mandates.
MANDATES

This policy is consistent with applicable state mandates. The laws of the state where the group benefit contract is issued determine the mandated coverage.
  • For members enrolled in New Jersey products,  refer to the applicable Orthotic and Prosthetic mandate.
  • This policy is consistent with New Jersey and Pennsylvania mandates for coverage of diabetic supplies.
  • In accordance with the State of Pennsylvania's mandate, for orthotics related to the treatment of diabetes illness and benefit contracts, members who are enrolled in Pennsylvania commercial plans subject to Pennsylvania's insurance law may obtain foot orthotics and other podiatric appliances for the prevention and treatment of diabetes illness, when prescribed by an eligible professional provider.

Description

A foot orthotic is a fitted, custom-fabricated, rigid or semi-rigid device that supports a weak or deformed foot, or restricts or eliminates motion in a diseased or injured foot. Foot orthotics are available only by prescription.

 The term foot orthotic does not include items that are carried in stock and sold as over-the-counter items (e.g., off-the-shelf arch supports, low-temperature plastic splints).

Over-the-counter refers to prefabricated, mass-produced items that are prepackaged and require no professional advice or judgment in either size selection or use, including generic insoles and arch supports.

Other podiatric appliances include shoe inserts such as heel pads, heel cups, and lifts. These items may be obtained by prescription or over the counter. However, as used in this policy, a podiatric appliance is a supportive device for the foot that is available only by prescription.

For information regarding inserts specifically designed for therapeutic shoes and prosthetic (shoe) inserts, refer to the Cross References section in this policy.

References

Company Benefit Contracts.

New Jersey (NJ) Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI). Bulletin NO. 08-10: P.L. 2007, c. 345 – Health benefits coverage for orthotic and prosthetic appliances. [NJ DOBI Web site]. 05/29/2008. Available at: http://www.state.nj.us/dobi/bulletins/blt08_10.pdf. Accessed Accessed August 12, 2024.

New Jersey (NJ) Legislature.P.L.2007, chapter.345 (C.17:48-6ff).Senate, No. 2882. Introduced May 13, 2024. An act concerning health benefits coverage for orthotic and prosthetic appliances from podiatrists and amending P.L.2007, c.345.) [NJ State Legislature Web site].
Available at: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S1439/bill-text?f=S1500&n=1439_R1. Accessed August 12, 2024.

Pennsylvania (PA) Act 98 of 1998. 10/16/1998. Available at: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/1998/0/0098..HTM. Accessed August 12, 2024.

Pennsylvania (PA) General Assembly. House Bill 401. An act establishing the state board of orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthotics. [PA General Assembly Web site]. 02/09/05. Available at: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&sessYr=2005&sessInd=0&billBody=H&billTyp=B&billnbr=0401&pn=0426. Accessed August 12, 2024​.

Pennsylvania (PA) General Assembly. House Bill 656. An act amending the PA Insurance Company Law of 1921 and providing reimbursement for diabetic supplies. [PA General Assembly Web site]. 10/27/97. Available at: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=PDF&sessYr=1997&sessInd=0&billBody=H&billTyp=B&billNbr=0656&pn=2505. Accessed August 12, 2024​.

Coding

CPT Procedure Code Number(s)
N/A
ICD - 10 Procedure Code Number(s)
N/A
ICD - 10 Diagnosis Code Number(s)
See Attachment A.
HCPCS Level II Code Number(s)
MEDICALLY NECESSARY
A9283Foot pressure off loading/supportive device, any type, each
L3000Foot insert, removable, molded to patient model, UCB type, Berkeley shell, each
L3001Foot insert, removable, molded to patient model, Spenco, each
L3002Foot insert, removable, molded to patient model, Plastazote or equal, each
L3003Foot insert, removable, molded to patient model, silicone gel, each
L3010Foot insert, removable, molded to patient model, longitudinal arch support, each
L3020Foot insert, removable, molded to patient model, longitudinal/metatarsal support, each
L3030Foot insert, removable, formed to patient foot, each
L3031Foot, insert/plate, removable, addition to lower extremity orthotic, high strength, lightweight material, all hybrid lamination/prepreg composite, each
L3040Foot, arch support, removable, premolded, longitudinal, each
L3050Foot, arch support, removable, premolded, metatarsal, each
L3060Foot, arch support, removable, premolded, longitudinal/metatarsal, each
L3070Foot, arch support, nonremovable, attached to shoe, longitudinal, each
L3080Foot, arch support, nonremovable, attached to shoe, metatarsal, each
L3090Foot, arch support, nonremovable, attached to shoe, longitudinal/metatarsal, each
L3300Lift, elevation, heel, tapered to metatarsals, per in.
L3310Lift, elevation, heel and sole, neoprene, per in.
L3320Lift, elevation, heel and sole, cork, per in.
L3330Lift, elevation, metal extension (skate)
L3332Lift, elevation, inside shoe, tapered, up to one-half in.
L3334Lift, elevation, heel, per in.
L3340Heel wedge, SACH
L3350Heel wedge
L3360Sole wedge, outside sole
L3370Sole wedge, between sole
L3380Clubfoot wedge
L3390Outflare wedge
L3400Metatarsal bar wedge, rocker
L3410Metatarsal bar wedge, between sole
L3420Full sole and heel wedge, between sole
L3430Heel, counter, plastic reinforced
L3440Heel, counter, leather reinforced
L3450Heel, SACH cushion type
L3455Heel, new leather, standard
L3460Heel, new rubber, standard
L3465Heel, Thomas with wedge
L3470Heel, Thomas extended to ball
L3480Heel, pad and depression for spur
L3485Heel, pad, removable for spur

For individuals who are enrolled in New Jersey plans, the following foot orthotics and podiatric appliances may be prescribed and obtained from a New Jersey podiatrist.
L3000Foot insert, removable, molded to patient model, UCB type, Berkeley shell, each
L3020Foot insert, removable, molded to patient model, longitudinal/metatarsal support, each
L3030Foot insert, removable, formed to patient foot, each
L3300Lift, elevation, heel, tapered to metatarsals, per in.
L3310Lift, elevation, heel and sole, neoprene, per in.
L3320Lift, elevation, heel and sole, cork, per in.
L3330Lift, elevation, metal extension (skate)
L3332Lift, elevation, inside shoe, tapered, up to one-half in.
L3334Lift, elevation, heel, per in.
L3340Heel wedge, SACH
L3350Heel wedge
L3360Sole wedge, outside sole
L3370Sole wedge, between sole
L3380Clubfoot wedge
L3390Outflare wedge

BENEFIT EXCLUSION
L3100 Hallus-valgus night dynamic splint, prefabricated, off-the-shelf
L3170 Foot, plastic, silicone or equal, heel stabilizer, prefabricated, off-the-shelf, each

Revenue Code Number(s)
N/A

Modifiers

WHEN THERE IS NO SPECIFIC HCPCS CODE FOR THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF A FOOT ORTHOSIS, THE FOLLOWING MODIFIERS ARE APPENDED TO THE HCPCS CODE FOR THE DEVICE ITSELF

RA Replacement of a DME, orthotic or prosthetic item

RB Replacement of a part of a DME, orthotic or prosthetic item furnished as part of a repair​

Coding and Billing Requirements

Policy History

Revisions frrom 05.00.35g

10/01/2025

This policy has been identified and updated for the CPT/HCPCS code update effective 10/01/2025. 

The following ICD-10 code has been added to this policy: 

E11.A


Revisions From 05.00.35f:

9/04/2024

This policy has been reissued in accordance with the Company's annual review process.

06/15/2022

This policy has been reissued in accordance with the Company's annual review process.

05/04/2020

This version of the policy will become effective 05/04/2020.

The following HCPCS code has been removed from the coding table under the heading Medical Necessary: L3170.

The following HCPCS codes were added to the coding table as a benefit exclusion: L3100 and L3170.

Effective 10/05/2017 this policy has been updated to the new policy template format.
10/1/2025
10/6/2025
05.00.35
Claim Payment Policy Bulletin
Commercial
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Independence Blue Cross is a subsidiary of Independence Health Group, Inc. — independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, serving the health insurance needs of Philadelphia and southeastern Pennsylvania.