L0170 HCPCS code: Cervical, collar, molded to patient model
L0170 is the HCPCS Level II code for cervical, collar, molded to patient model. The 2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule pays $729.99 to $1,050.52 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 1 per day on DME suppliers. Medicare volume fell 25% from 2022 to 2024 (73 to 55 services). In 2024, 38 suppliers billed Medicare for L0170 (purchases), serving 55 beneficiaries. Its average fee ranks 11 of 12 L01 codes (family range $35.00–$1,711.51).
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | L codes — Orthotic and prosthetic procedures and devices |
| Coverage code | C — Carrier judgment |
| Pricing indicator | 38 — DMEPOS: orthotics, prosthetics, prosthetic devices and vision services |
| BETOS category | D1F — Prosthetic and orthotic devices |
| Added | 1986-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 1996-01-01 |
2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule for L0170
| Modifier | Meaning | Lowest state fee | Highest state fee | Ceiling | Floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | base fee | $729.99 | $1,050.52 | $988.11 | $741.08 |
| State | Modifier | Fee | Rural fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| AK | — | $982.38 | — |
| AL | — | $866.65 | — |
| AR | — | $786.01 | — |
| AZ | — | $979.74 | — |
| CA | — | $979.74 | — |
| CO | — | $741.08 | — |
| CT | — | $945.02 | — |
| DC | — | $741.08 | — |
| DE | — | $741.08 | — |
| FL | — | $866.65 | — |
| GA | — | $866.65 | — |
| HI | — | $1,050.52 | — |
| IA | — | $755.21 | — |
| ID | — | $873.00 | — |
| IL | — | $988.11 | — |
| IN | — | $988.11 | — |
| KS | — | $755.21 | — |
| KY | — | $866.65 | — |
| LA | — | $786.01 | — |
| MA | — | $945.02 | — |
| MD | — | $741.08 | — |
| ME | — | $945.02 | — |
| MI | — | $988.11 | — |
| MN | — | $988.11 | — |
| MO | — | $755.21 | — |
| MS | — | $866.65 | — |
| MT | — | $741.08 | — |
| NC | — | $866.65 | — |
| ND | — | $741.08 | — |
| NE | — | $755.21 | — |
| NH | — | $945.02 | — |
| NJ | — | $741.08 | — |
| NM | — | $786.01 | — |
| NV | — | $979.74 | — |
| NY | — | $741.08 | — |
| OH | — | $988.11 | — |
| OK | — | $786.01 | — |
| OR | — | $873.00 | — |
| PA | — | $741.08 | — |
| PR | — | $729.99 | — |
| RI | — | $945.02 | — |
| SC | — | $866.65 | — |
| SD | — | $741.08 | — |
| TN | — | $866.65 | — |
| TX | — | $786.01 | — |
| UT | — | $741.08 | — |
| VA | — | $741.08 | — |
| VI | — | $741.08 | — |
| VT | — | $945.02 | — |
| WA | — | $873.00 | — |
| WI | — | $988.11 | — |
| WV | — | $741.08 | — |
| WY | — | $741.08 | — |
How the L0170 fee compares
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Rank among 12 L01 codes (lowest = 1) | 11 |
| Family fee range (average of state fees) | $35.00–$1,711.51 |
| Rural fee uplift | — |
Who bills L0170 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Suppliers billing rentals | — |
| Suppliers billing purchases | 38 |
| Referring clinicians | 46 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 55 |
| States with claims | 1 |
| Year | Suppliers | Beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 42 | 73 |
| 2023 | 42 | 62 |
| 2024 | 38 | 55 |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for L0170, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 73 | 73 | $696.91 | $545.84 |
| 2023 | 62 | 62 | $737.37 | $567.41 |
| 2024 | 55 | 55 | $806.92 | $627.14 |
States with the most L0170 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 13 | $642.42 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| DME suppliers | 1 | Anatomic Consideration |
| outpatient hospital claims | 1 | Anatomic Consideration |
What changed for L0170
- 2026-01-01: Average state fee rose 2.0%: $830.93 to $847.55
- 1986-01-01: L0170 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 L0170?
L0170 is the HCPCS Level II code for cervical, collar, molded to patient model. Short descriptor: "Cervical collar molded to pt".
How much does Medicare pay for L0170?
Under the 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule, non-rural state fees are base (base fee): $729.99–$1,050.52. Rural fees can be higher.
Does Medicare cover L0170?
Coverage code C — Carrier judgment. Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case.
Did the Medicare fee for L0170 change in 2026?
The average non-rural state fee moved from $830.93 in 2025 to $847.55 in 2026 (+2.0%). CMS's next quarterly HCPCS and DMEPOS update takes effect January 1, 2027.
How many units of L0170 can be billed per day?
1 on DME suppliers; 1 on outpatient hospital claims (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related L01 codes
- L0112 — Cranial cervical orthosis, congenital torticollis type, with or without soft interface material, adjustable range of motion joint, custom fabricated ($1,678.86–$1,846.76)
- L0113 — Cranial cervical orthosis, torticollis type, with or without joint, with or without soft interface material, prefabricated, includes fitting and adjustment ($342.07–$376.32)
- L0120 — Cervical, flexible, non-adjustable, prefabricated, off-the-shelf (foam collar) ($30.50–$60.33)
- L0130 — Cervical, flexible, thermoplastic collar, molded to patient ($187.48–$733.83)
- L0140 — Cervical, semi-rigid, adjustable (plastic collar) ($64.20–$142.76)
- L0150 — Cervical, semi-rigid, adjustable molded chin cup (plastic collar with mandibular/occipital piece) ($124.18–$172.80)
- L0160 — Cervical, semi-rigid, wire frame occipital/mandibular support, prefabricated, off-the-shelf ($179.98–$239.97)
- L0172 — Cervical, collar, semi-rigid thermoplastic foam, two-piece, prefabricated, off-the-shelf ($145.89–$199.42)
- L0174 — Cervical, collar, semi-rigid, thermoplastic foam, two piece with thoracic extension, prefabricated, off-the-shelf ($247.47–$537.31)
- L0180 — Cervical, multiple post collar, occipital/mandibular supports, adjustable ($425.78–$587.47)
- L0190 — Cervical, multiple post collar, occipital/mandibular supports, adjustable cervical bars (somi, guilford, taylor types) ($569.23–$880.70)
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 L0170
- Watch L0170 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for L0170
Sources: CMS HCPCS Level II release October 2025; 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.