Knee brace HCPCS code
A knee brace is usually billed under HCPCS code 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); related codes are L1812, L1820, L1830, L1832, L1833. The 2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule pays $113.17 to $166.75 for L1810, depending on the state. Medicare paid for 2,880 L1810 services from 568 suppliers in 2024.
HCPCS codes for knee brace
| Code | Description | Medicare coverage | DMEPOS fee (state range) | Medicare services |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Carrier judgment | $113.17–$166.75 | 2,880 (2024) |
| L1812 | Knee orthosis, elastic with joints, prefabricated, off-the-shelf | Carrier judgment | $70.12–$126.23 | 32,673 (2024) |
| 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 | Carrier judgment | $148.99–$194.23 | 54,930 (2024) |
| L1830 | Knee orthosis, immobilizer, canvas longitudinal, prefabricated, off-the-shelf | Carrier judgment | $63.18–$149.93 | 24,666 (2024) |
| 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 | Carrier judgment | $698.63–$1,618.03 | 4,237 (2024) |
| L1833 | Knee orthosis, adjustable knee joints (unicentric or polycentric), positional orthosis, rigid support, prefabricated, off-the shelf | Carrier judgment | $455.16–$1,087.16 | 54,965 (2024) |
| 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 | Carrier judgment | $1,076.26–$1,183.90 | 23,379 (2024) |
| L1845 | Knee orthosis, 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 item that has been trimmed, bent, molded, assembled, or otherwise customized to fit a specific patient by an individual with expertise | Carrier judgment | $939.24–$1,180.51 | 8,553 (2024) |
| L1850 | Knee orthosis, swedish type, prefabricated, off-the-shelf | Carrier judgment | $205.78–$408.53 | 251 (2024) |
| L1851 | Knee orthosis (ko), 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, off-the-shelf | Carrier judgment | $600.78–$959.09 | 10,234 (2024) |
| L1852 | 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 | Carrier judgment | $573.13–$940.49 | 152,672 (2024) |
Medicare revenue estimate for L1810
Units per month × state fee = monthly Medicare revenue. At 10 units a month, L1810 pays $1,667.50 in HI and $1,131.70 in DC, before the 20% patient coinsurance.
Medicare coverage policy
Frequently asked questions
What is the HCPCS code for a knee brace?
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. Other knee brace codes: L1812 (Ko elastic w/joints pre ots); L1820 (Ko elas w/ condyle pads & jo); L1830 (Ko immob canvas long pre ots); L1832 (Ko adj jnt pos r sup pre cst); L1833 (Ko adj jnt pos r sup pre ots).
Does Medicare cover a knee brace?
By HCPCS coverage code — L1810: Carrier judgment; L1812: Carrier judgment; L1820: Carrier judgment; L1830: Carrier judgment; L1832: Carrier judgment; L1833: Carrier judgment.
How much does Medicare pay for a knee brace?
Under the 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule (non-rural state fees): L1810 $113.17 to $166.75; L1812 $70.12 to $126.23; L1820 $148.99 to $194.23; L1830 $63.18 to $149.93; L1832 $698.63 to $1,618.03.
Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under L1810
- Watch L1810 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for L1810
Part of Orthotic braces.
Related equipment
- Wrist brace HCPCS code
- Finger splint HCPCS code
- CAM walking boot HCPCS code
- Post-op shoe HCPCS code
- Back brace HCPCS code
- TLSO brace HCPCS code
- Ankle brace HCPCS code
- Elbow brace HCPCS code
- Cervical collar HCPCS code
- Shoulder immobilizer HCPCS code
Sources: CMS HCPCS Level II; CMS DMEPOS fee schedule 2026; CMS Medicare utilization; CMS Medicare Coverage Database. Fees are Medicare allowables (non-rural, by state), not commercial rates. Code choice depends on the exact item; check the descriptor. Not billing or legal advice.