K0046 HCPCS code: Elevating legrest, lower extension tube, replacement only, each
K0046 is the HCPCS Level II code for elevating legrest, lower extension tube, replacement only, each. The 2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule pays $23.58 to $28.78 (NU, new equipment, purchased) depending on the state. Its Medicare coverage code is C (Carrier judgment): Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case. The NCCI unit limit is 2 per day on DME suppliers. Medicare volume fell 21% from 2022 to 2024 (141 to 111 services). In 2024, 62 suppliers billed Medicare for K0046 (purchases), serving 75 beneficiaries. Its average fee ranks 4 of 28 K00 codes billed NU (family range $19.23–$2,627.69); rural fees run 3% higher.
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | K codes — Temporary codes for DME MACs |
| Coverage code | C — Carrier judgment |
| Pricing indicator | 32 — DMEPOS: inexpensive or routinely purchased item |
| BETOS category | D1D — Wheelchairs |
| Added | 1994-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2017-01-01 |
2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule for K0046
| Modifier | Meaning | Lowest state fee | Highest state fee | Ceiling | Floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NU | new equipment, purchased | $23.58 | $28.78 | $23.98 | $20.38 |
| NU | new equipment, purchased | $23.59 | $28.55 | — | — |
| RR | rental (monthly) | $2.36 | $2.85 | — | — |
| RR | rental (monthly) | $2.36 | $2.87 | $2.38 | $2.02 |
| UE | used equipment, purchased | $17.69 | $21.41 | — | — |
| UE | used equipment, purchased | $17.70 | $21.58 | $18.02 | $15.32 |
| State | Modifier | Fee | Rural fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| AK | NU | $25.58 | — |
| AL | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| AR | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| AZ | NU | $23.59 | $25.45 |
| CA | NU | $23.59 | $25.45 |
| CO | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| CT | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| DC | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| DE | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| FL | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| GA | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| HI | NU | $25.58 | — |
| IA | NU | $23.59 | $25.45 |
| ID | NU | $23.59 | $25.45 |
| IL | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| IN | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| KS | NU | $23.59 | $25.45 |
| KY | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| LA | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| MA | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| MD | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| ME | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| MI | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| MN | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| MO | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| MS | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| MT | NU | $23.59 | $25.45 |
| NC | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| ND | NU | $23.59 | $25.45 |
| NE | NU | $23.59 | $25.45 |
| NH | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| NJ | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| NM | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| NV | NU | $23.59 | $25.45 |
| NY | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| OH | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| OK | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| OR | NU | $23.59 | $25.45 |
| PA | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| PR | NU | $28.78 | — |
| RI | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| SC | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| SD | NU | $23.59 | $25.45 |
| TN | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| TX | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| UT | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| VA | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| VI | NU | $25.80 | — |
| VT | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| WA | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| WI | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| WV | NU | $23.98 | $25.80 |
| WY | NU | $23.59 | $25.45 |
| AK | RR | $2.56 | — |
| AL | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| AR | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| AZ | RR | $2.36 | $2.55 |
| CA | RR | $2.36 | $2.55 |
| CO | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| CT | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| DC | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| DE | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| FL | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| GA | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| HI | RR | $2.56 | — |
| IA | RR | $2.36 | $2.55 |
| ID | RR | $2.36 | $2.55 |
| IL | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| IN | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| KS | RR | $2.36 | $2.55 |
| KY | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| LA | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| MA | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| MD | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| ME | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| MI | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| MN | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| MO | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| MS | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| MT | RR | $2.36 | $2.55 |
| NC | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| ND | RR | $2.36 | $2.55 |
| NE | RR | $2.36 | $2.55 |
| NH | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| NJ | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| NM | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| NV | RR | $2.36 | $2.55 |
| NY | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| OH | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| OK | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| OR | RR | $2.36 | $2.55 |
| PA | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| PR | RR | $2.87 | — |
| RI | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| SC | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| SD | RR | $2.36 | $2.55 |
| TN | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| TX | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| UT | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| VA | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| VI | RR | $2.58 | — |
| VT | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| WA | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| WI | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| WV | RR | $2.39 | $2.58 |
| WY | RR | $2.36 | $2.55 |
| AK | UE | $19.19 | — |
| AL | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| AR | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| AZ | UE | $17.70 | $19.09 |
| CA | UE | $17.70 | $19.09 |
| CO | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| CT | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| DC | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| DE | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| FL | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| GA | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| HI | UE | $19.19 | — |
| IA | UE | $17.70 | $19.09 |
| ID | UE | $17.70 | $19.09 |
| IL | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| IN | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| KS | UE | $17.70 | $19.09 |
| KY | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| LA | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| MA | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| MD | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| ME | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| MI | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| MN | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| MO | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| MS | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| MT | UE | $17.70 | $19.09 |
| NC | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| ND | UE | $17.70 | $19.09 |
| NE | UE | $17.70 | $19.09 |
| NH | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| NJ | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| NM | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| NV | UE | $17.70 | $19.09 |
| NY | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| OH | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| OK | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| OR | UE | $17.70 | $19.09 |
| PA | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| PR | UE | $21.58 | — |
| RI | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| SC | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| SD | UE | $17.70 | $19.09 |
| TN | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| TX | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| UT | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| VA | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| VI | UE | $19.38 | — |
| VT | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| WA | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| WI | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| WV | UE | $18.03 | $19.38 |
| WY | UE | $17.70 | $19.09 |
How the K0046 fee compares
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Rank among 28 K00 codes billed NU (lowest = 1) | 4 |
| Family fee range (average of state fees) | $19.23–$2,627.69 |
| Rural fee uplift | 3.2% |
Who bills K0046 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Suppliers billing rentals | — |
| Suppliers billing purchases | 62 |
| Referring clinicians | 75 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 75 |
| States with claims | 0 |
| Year | Suppliers | Beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 81 | 93 |
| 2023 | 76 | 92 |
| 2024 | 62 | 75 |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for K0046, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 141 | 93 | $20.30 | $15.57 |
| 2023 | 140 | 92 | $22.25 | $17.21 |
| 2024 | 111 | 75 | $22.66 | $17.28 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| DME suppliers | 2 | Anatomic Consideration |
Medicare policy articles for this code
- A52504: Wheelchair Options/Accessories - Policy Article (CGS Administrators, LLC (DME MAC) Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC (DME MAC)) — mentions this code in its coding guidance
What changed for K0046
- 2026-01-01: Average state fee (NU) rose 2.0%: $23.56 to $24.03
- 2026-01-01: Average state fee (RR) rose 2.1%: $2.35 to $2.39
- 2026-01-01: Average state fee (UE) rose 2.1%: $17.69 to $18.05
- 1994-01-01: K0046 added to HCPCS Level II
- Next scheduled CMS quarterly update (HCPCS and DMEPOS fee schedule): 2027-01-01
Frequently asked questions
What is HCPCS code K0046?
K0046 is the HCPCS Level II code for elevating legrest, lower extension tube, replacement only, each. Short descriptor: "Elev lgrst lwr exten repl ea".
How much does Medicare pay for K0046?
Under the 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule, non-rural state fees are NU (new equipment, purchased): $23.58–$28.78; NU (new equipment, purchased): $23.59–$28.55; RR (rental (monthly)): $2.36–$2.85; RR (rental (monthly)): $2.36–$2.87; UE (used equipment, purchased): $17.69–$21.41; UE (used equipment, purchased): $17.70–$21.58. Rural fees can be higher.
Does Medicare cover K0046?
Coverage code C — Carrier judgment. Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case.
Did the Medicare fee for K0046 change in 2026?
The average non-rural state fee for NU moved from $23.56 in 2025 to $24.03 in 2026 (+2.0%). CMS's next quarterly HCPCS and DMEPOS update takes effect January 1, 2027.
How many units of K0046 can be billed per day?
2 on DME suppliers (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related K00 codes
- K0001 — Standard wheelchair ($25.23–$53.63)
- K0002 — Standard hemi (low seat) wheelchair ($38.93–$101.05)
- K0003 — Lightweight wheelchair ($36.91–$115.29)
- K0004 — High strength, lightweight wheelchair ($48.55–$163.93)
- K0005 — Ultralightweight wheelchair ($259.07–$2,797.90)
- K0006 — Heavy duty wheelchair ($68.77–$169.03)
- K0007 — Extra heavy duty wheelchair ($96.40–$211.59)
- K0008 — Custom manual wheelchair/base
- K0009 — Other manual wheelchair/base ($101.86–$122.26)
- K0010 — Standard - weight frame motorized/power wheelchair ($516.03–$1,144.42)
- K0011 — Standard - weight frame motorized/power wheelchair with programmable control parameters for speed adjustment, tremor dampening, acceleration control and braking ($641.58–$810.57)
- K0012 — Lightweight portable motorized/power wheelchair ($393.59–$543.05)
Building a device that would bill under a code like this? Caduvo matches a device description to HCPCS/CPT codes, Medicare coverage and payment, and the FDA pathway in one report.
Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under K0046
- Watch K0046 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for K0046
Sources: CMS HCPCS Level II release October 2026; CMS DMEPOS fee schedule 2026; CMS NCCI MUE tables; CMS Medicare utilization (physician and DME supplier files); CMS Medicare Coverage Database articles. Fees are Medicare allowables, not commercial rates. Not billing or legal advice.