K0053 — Elevating footrests, articulating (telescoping), each
K0053 is a HCPCS Level II code for elevating footrests, articulating (telescoping), each. It belongs to the Durable Medical Equipment (DME MAC Temporary) section. Whether Medicare pays it depends on the coverage rule below.
Medicare coverage: Carrier judgment
Coverage is decided by your Medicare contractor, not by national policy. Whether this is paid depends on the LCD for your jurisdiction and on what the documentation supports.
From the coverage field of the CMS Alpha-Numeric HCPCS File, release 2026Q3-Jul. This states Medicare’s position on the code, not on your particular claim.
Medically Unlikely Edits — units per day
The most units of K0053 Medicare will pay on one date of service. Bill more on a single line and it is denied. The limit is not the same in every setting, so the row that matters is the one matching the claim you are building.
- practitioner
- 0 — never payable MAI 3 — Date of Service Edit: Clinical · CMS Policy
- outpatient
- 0 — never payable MAI 3 — Date of Service Edit: Clinical · CMS Policy
- DME supplier
- 2 units MAI 2 — Date of Service Edit: Policy · Anatomic Consideration
The adjudication indicator decides whether exceeding the limit is worth appealing at all: MAI 1 is a line edit you can support with documentation, MAI 3 is a date-of-service edit that is also appealable, and MAI 2 is absolute — no documentation overrides it. CMS MUE 2026Q3.
The CMS record for K0053
- Long descriptor
- Elevating footrests, articulating (telescoping), each
- Short descriptor
- Elevate footrest articulate
- Added
- January 1, 1994
- BETOS
- D1D
- Pricing indicator
- 32 — DMEPOS
The official wording. This is what the code means.
CMS's 28-character form, which is what shows up on a remittance advice.
When CMS introduced the code.
Berenson-Eggers Type of Service — CMS's own analytic grouping.
Inexpensive and routinely purchased DME. Price subject to floors and ceilings.
Codes adjacent to K0053
HCPCS has no hierarchy — related items simply sit next to each other in the numbering. If K0053 is not quite right, the correct code is very often within a few positions of it.
- K0043Footrest, lower extension tube, replacement only, each
- K0044Footrest, upper hanger bracket, replacement only, each
- K0045Footrest, complete assembly, replacement only, each
- K0046Elevating legrest, lower extension tube, replacement only, each
- K0047Elevating legrest, upper hanger bracket, replacement only, each
- K0050Ratchet assembly, replacement only
- K0051Cam release assembly, footrest or legrest, replacement only, each
- K0052Swingaway, detachable footrests, replacement only, each
- K0056Seat height less than 17" or equal to or greater than 21" for a high strength, lightweight, or ultralightweight wheelchair
- K0065Spoke protectors, each
- K0069Rear wheel assembly, complete, with solid tire, spokes or molded, replacement only, each
- K0070Rear wheel assembly, complete, with pneumatic tire, spokes or molded, replacement only, each
- K0071Front caster assembly, complete, with pneumatic tire, replacement only, each
- K0072Front caster assembly, complete, with semi-pneumatic tire, replacement only, each
- K0073Caster pin lock, each
- K0077Front caster assembly, complete, with solid tire, replacement only, each
Questions about K0053
What is HCPCS code K0053?
K0053 is a HCPCS Level II code for elevating footrests, articulating (telescoping), each. It sits in the Durable Medical Equipment (DME MAC Temporary) section.
Does Medicare cover K0053?
The CMS HCPCS file marks K0053 as "Carrier judgment". Coverage is decided by your Medicare contractor, not by national policy. Whether this is paid depends on the LCD for your jurisdiction and on what the documentation supports.