L1852 HCPCS code: Knee orthosis (ko), double upright, thigh and calf, with adjustable flexion and extension joint (unicentric or polycentric), medial-lateral and rotation control, with or without varus/valgus adjustment, prefabricated, off-the-shelf
L1852 is the HCPCS Level II code for knee orthosis (ko), double upright, thigh and calf, with adjustable flexion and extension joint (unicentric or polycentric), medial-lateral and rotation control, with or without varus/valgus adjustment, prefabricated, off-the-shelf. The 2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule pays $573.13 to $940.49 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. Its average fee ranks 10 of 21 L18 codes (family range $74.67–$2,029.02); rural fees run 32% higher.
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 | 2017-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2017-01-01 |
2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule for L1852
| Modifier | Meaning | Lowest state fee | Highest state fee | Ceiling | Floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | base fee | $573.13 | $940.49 | — | — |
| State | Modifier | Fee | Rural fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| AK | — | $830.33 | — |
| AL | — | $700.49 | $928.91 |
| AR | — | $700.49 | $888.40 |
| AZ | — | $573.13 | $819.86 |
| CA | — | $573.13 | $819.86 |
| CO | — | $583.90 | $835.27 |
| CT | — | $678.38 | $850.63 |
| DC | — | $634.46 | $908.68 |
| DE | — | $634.46 | $908.68 |
| FL | — | $700.49 | $928.91 |
| GA | — | $700.49 | $928.91 |
| HI | — | $863.62 | — |
| IA | — | $632.13 | $819.86 |
| ID | — | $583.90 | $837.96 |
| IL | — | $641.72 | $864.98 |
| IN | — | $641.72 | $864.98 |
| KS | — | $632.13 | $819.86 |
| KY | — | $700.49 | $928.91 |
| LA | — | $700.49 | $888.40 |
| MA | — | $678.38 | $850.63 |
| MD | — | $634.46 | $908.68 |
| ME | — | $678.38 | $850.63 |
| MI | — | $641.72 | $864.98 |
| MN | — | $632.13 | $864.98 |
| MO | — | $632.13 | $819.86 |
| MS | — | $700.49 | $928.91 |
| MT | — | $583.90 | $835.27 |
| NC | — | $700.49 | $928.91 |
| ND | — | $632.13 | $835.27 |
| NE | — | $632.13 | $819.86 |
| NH | — | $678.38 | $850.63 |
| NJ | — | $634.46 | $940.49 |
| NM | — | $573.13 | $888.40 |
| NV | — | $573.13 | $819.86 |
| NY | — | $634.46 | $940.49 |
| OH | — | $641.72 | $864.98 |
| OK | — | $573.13 | $888.40 |
| OR | — | $573.13 | $837.96 |
| PA | — | $634.46 | $908.68 |
| PR | — | $902.28 | — |
| RI | — | $678.38 | $850.63 |
| SC | — | $700.49 | $928.91 |
| SD | — | $632.13 | $835.27 |
| TN | — | $700.49 | $928.91 |
| TX | — | $573.13 | $888.40 |
| UT | — | $583.90 | $835.27 |
| VA | — | $700.49 | $908.68 |
| VI | — | $940.49 | — |
| VT | — | $678.38 | $850.63 |
| WA | — | $573.13 | $837.96 |
| WI | — | $641.72 | $864.98 |
| WV | — | $700.49 | $908.68 |
| WY | — | $583.90 | $835.27 |
How the L1852 fee compares
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Rank among 21 L18 codes (lowest = 1) | 10 |
| Family fee range (average of state fees) | $74.67–$2,029.02 |
| Rural fee uplift | 32.3% |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| DME suppliers | 2 | Anatomic Consideration |
| outpatient hospital claims | 2 | Anatomic Consideration |
What changed for L1852
- 2026-01-01: Average state fee rose 2.7%: $642.51 to $659.58
- 2017-01-01: L1852 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 L1852?
L1852 is the HCPCS Level II code for knee orthosis (ko), double upright, thigh and calf, with adjustable flexion and extension joint (unicentric or polycentric), medial-lateral and rotation control, with or without varus/valgus adjustment, prefabricated, off-the-shelf. Short descriptor: "Ko double upright prefab ots".
How much does Medicare pay for L1852?
Under the 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule, non-rural state fees are base (base fee): $573.13–$940.49. Rural fees can be higher.
Does Medicare cover L1852?
Coverage code C — Carrier judgment. Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case.
Did the Medicare fee for L1852 change in 2026?
The average non-rural state fee moved from $642.51 in 2025 to $659.58 in 2026 (+2.7%). CMS's next quarterly HCPCS and DMEPOS update takes effect January 1, 2027.
How many units of L1852 can be billed per day?
2 on DME suppliers; 2 on outpatient hospital claims (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related L18 codes
- L1810 — Knee orthosis, elastic with joints, prefabricated item that has been trimmed, bent, molded, assembled, or otherwise customized to fit a specific patient by an individual with expertise ($113.17–$166.75)
- L1812 — Knee orthosis, elastic with joints, prefabricated, off-the-shelf ($70.12–$126.23)
- L1820 — Knee orthosis, elastic with condylar pads and joints, with or without patellar control, prefabricated item that has been trimmed, bent, molded, assembled, or otherwise customized to fit a specific patient by an individual with expertise ($148.99–$194.23)
- L1821 — Knee orthosis, elastic with condylar pads and joints, with or without patellar control, prefabricated, off the shelf ($148.99–$194.23)
- L1830 — Knee orthosis, immobilizer, canvas longitudinal, prefabricated, off-the-shelf ($63.18–$149.93)
- L1831 — Knee orthosis, locking knee joint(s), positional orthosis, prefabricated, includes fitting and adjustment ($353.04–$388.33)
- L1832 — Knee orthosis, adjustable knee joints (unicentric or polycentric), positional orthosis, rigid support, prefabricated item that has been trimmed, bent, molded, assembled, or otherwise customized to fit a specific patient by an individual with expertise ($698.63–$1,618.03)
- L1833 — Knee orthosis, adjustable knee joints (unicentric or polycentric), positional orthosis, rigid support, prefabricated, off-the shelf ($455.16–$1,087.16)
- L1834 — Knee orthosis, without knee joint, rigid, custom fabricated ($892.02–$1,808.36)
- L1836 — Knee orthosis, rigid, without joint(s), includes soft interface material, prefabricated, off-the-shelf ($89.34–$142.64)
- L1840 — Knee orthosis, derotation, medial-lateral, anterior cruciate ligament, custom fabricated ($1,056.60–$1,606.15)
- L1843 — Knee orthosis, single upright, thigh and calf, with adjustable flexion and extension joint (unicentric or polycentric), medial-lateral and rotation control, with or without varus/valgus adjustment, prefabricated item that has been trimmed, bent, molded, assembled, or otherwise customized to fit a specific patient by an individual with expertise ($1,076.26–$1,183.90)
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Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under L1852
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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.