L5973 HCPCS code: Endoskeletal ankle foot system, microprocessor controlled feature, dorsiflexion and/or plantar flexion control, includes power source
L5973 is the HCPCS Level II code for endoskeletal ankle foot system, microprocessor controlled feature, dorsiflexion and/or plantar flexion control, includes power source. The 2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule pays $20,916.61 to $23,785.15 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 rose 12% from 2022 to 2024 (746 to 836 services). In 2024, 423 suppliers billed Medicare for L5973 (purchases), serving 736 beneficiaries; Texas, California, Pennsylvania accounted for 34% of services. Its average fee ranks 32 of 32 L59 codes (family range $280.68–$21,399.63).
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 | 2010-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2010-01-01 |
2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule for L5973
| Modifier | Meaning | Lowest state fee | Highest state fee | Ceiling | Floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | base fee | $20,916.61 | $23,785.15 | $25,594.72 | $19,196.04 |
| State | Modifier | Fee | Rural fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| AK | — | $21,106.11 | — |
| AL | — | $21,299.94 | — |
| AR | — | $21,297.95 | — |
| AZ | — | $21,127.66 | — |
| CA | — | $21,127.66 | — |
| CO | — | $21,711.59 | — |
| CT | — | $21,085.93 | — |
| DC | — | $21,041.00 | — |
| DE | — | $21,041.00 | — |
| FL | — | $21,299.94 | — |
| GA | — | $21,299.94 | — |
| HI | — | $21,106.11 | — |
| IA | — | $21,540.27 | — |
| ID | — | $21,127.66 | — |
| IL | — | $21,739.52 | — |
| IN | — | $21,739.52 | — |
| KS | — | $21,540.27 | — |
| KY | — | $21,299.94 | — |
| LA | — | $21,297.95 | — |
| MA | — | $21,085.93 | — |
| MD | — | $21,041.00 | — |
| ME | — | $21,085.93 | — |
| MI | — | $21,739.52 | — |
| MN | — | $21,739.52 | — |
| MO | — | $21,540.27 | — |
| MS | — | $21,299.94 | — |
| MT | — | $21,711.59 | — |
| NC | — | $21,299.94 | — |
| ND | — | $21,711.59 | — |
| NE | — | $21,540.27 | — |
| NH | — | $21,085.93 | — |
| NJ | — | $20,916.61 | — |
| NM | — | $21,297.95 | — |
| NV | — | $21,127.66 | — |
| NY | — | $20,916.61 | — |
| OH | — | $21,739.52 | — |
| OK | — | $21,297.95 | — |
| OR | — | $21,127.66 | — |
| PA | — | $21,041.00 | — |
| PR | — | $23,785.15 | — |
| RI | — | $21,085.93 | — |
| SC | — | $21,299.94 | — |
| SD | — | $21,711.59 | — |
| TN | — | $21,299.94 | — |
| TX | — | $21,297.95 | — |
| UT | — | $21,711.59 | — |
| VA | — | $21,041.00 | — |
| VI | — | $23,065.06 | — |
| VT | — | $21,085.93 | — |
| WA | — | $21,127.66 | — |
| WI | — | $21,739.52 | — |
| WV | — | $21,041.00 | — |
| WY | — | $21,711.59 | — |
How the L5973 fee compares
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Rank among 32 L59 codes (lowest = 1) | 32 |
| Family fee range (average of state fees) | $280.68–$21,399.63 |
| Rural fee uplift | — |
Who bills L5973 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Suppliers billing rentals | — |
| Suppliers billing purchases | 423 |
| Referring clinicians | 557 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 736 |
| States with claims | 23 |
| Share of services in top 3 states (Texas, California, Pennsylvania) | 34% |
| Year | Suppliers | Beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 365 | 657 |
| 2023 | 398 | 674 |
| 2024 | 423 | 736 |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for L5973, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 746 | 657 | $18,289.76 | $14,284.35 |
| 2023 | 756 | 674 | $19,876.70 | $15,452.22 |
| 2024 | 836 | 736 | $20,346.83 | $15,796.73 |
States with the most L5973 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 107 | $15,873.27 |
| California | 86 | $15,858.55 |
| Pennsylvania | 51 | $14,922.28 |
| Florida | 49 | $15,993.96 |
| New York | 42 | $15,715.30 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| DME suppliers | 2 | Anatomic Consideration |
| outpatient hospital claims | 2 | Anatomic Consideration |
Medicare policy articles for this code
- A52496: Lower Limb Prostheses - Policy Article (CGS Administrators, LLC (DME MAC) Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC (DME MAC)) — mentions this code in its coding guidance
What changed for L5973
- 2026-01-01: Average state fee rose 2.0%: $20,980.02 to $21,399.63
- 2010-01-01: L5973 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 L5973?
L5973 is the HCPCS Level II code for endoskeletal ankle foot system, microprocessor controlled feature, dorsiflexion and/or plantar flexion control, includes power source. Short descriptor: "Ank-foot sys dors-plant flex".
How much does Medicare pay for L5973?
Under the 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule, non-rural state fees are base (base fee): $20,916.61–$23,785.15. Rural fees can be higher.
Does Medicare cover L5973?
Coverage code C — Carrier judgment. Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case.
Did the Medicare fee for L5973 change in 2026?
The average non-rural state fee moved from $20,980.02 in 2025 to $21,399.63 in 2026 (+2.0%). CMS's next quarterly HCPCS and DMEPOS update takes effect January 1, 2027.
How many units of L5973 can be billed per day?
2 on DME suppliers; 2 on outpatient hospital claims (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related L59 codes
- L5910 — Addition, endoskeletal system, below knee, alignable system ($379.75–$856.60)
- L5920 — Addition, endoskeletal system, above knee or hip disarticulation, alignable system ($612.00–$1,713.20)
- L5925 — Addition, endoskeletal system, above knee, knee disarticulation or hip disarticulation, manual lock ($411.36–$742.65)
- L5926 — Addition to lower extremity prosthesis, endoskeletal, knee disarticulation, above knee, hip disarticulation, positional rotation unit, any type ($494.92–$1,173.77)
- L5930 — Addition, endoskeletal system, high activity knee control frame ($4,045.31–$4,449.83)
- L5940 — Addition, endoskeletal system, below knee, ultra-light material (titanium, carbon fiber or equal) ($614.10–$1,142.13)
- L5950 — Addition, endoskeletal system, above knee, ultra-light material (titanium, carbon fiber or equal) ($939.43–$1,269.97)
- L5960 — Addition, endoskeletal system, hip disarticulation, ultra-light material (titanium, carbon fiber or equal) ($1,134.89–$2,331.87)
- L5961 — Addition, endoskeletal system, polycentric hip joint, pneumatic or hydraulic control, rotation control, with or without flexion and/or extension control ($5,299.60–$6,659.78)
- L5962 — Addition, endoskeletal system, below knee, flexible protective outer surface covering system ($719.60–$959.46)
- L5964 — Addition, endoskeletal system, above knee, flexible protective outer surface covering system ($1,146.54–$1,408.24)
- L5966 — Addition, endoskeletal system, hip disarticulation, flexible protective outer surface covering system ($1,460.97–$1,825.66)
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 L5973
- Watch L5973 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for L5973
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.