ORIGINAL POST
Can someone explain the functional difference between L3908 and L3914?
When is one of the codes indicated vs. the other?
I’ll post responses.
Thanks,
Randy McFarland, CPO
Fullerton, CA
RESPONSES
In order to understand the difference you would have to go back to the
original Illustrated Guide for O&P.
The L3908 is a non molded, usually cloth,neoprene or elastic WHO with a
palmar stay.
The original L3914 is a metal or plastic cock-up WHO set in extension
and adjustable by bending or heating.
Both are prefabricated and custom fitted to patient.Unfortunately in an
attempt to consolidate explanation for computer use the description does
not
include the original differences between the particular orthoses. Hope
this clears it up.
Depending on the DMERC and what they think is abuse dictates how
they view these codes. In the past the differences were not questioned
because each individual insurance company in your geographic area made
the decision as to which to code is reimbursed. When we went to DMERCs
the SADMERC identified the HCPCS code simply by description which
changes over time. Basically most practitioners use the code that best
reflects what they are dispensing to the patient but in reality the
DMERC could take a second look and decide to eliminate one of the codes
in order to “save money”.
If you look in the “picture book” the differences are the traditional
lace up verses a hybrid metal..however they say the same thing in the
descriptors and if your billing expert tells you you lose money for
medicad..the 3914 it is…….The “functional” difference is hamburger
or lobster for lunch
L3908 provides support to the wrist by keeping the wrist in a neutral
position and actually prevents flexion, to aid healing and reduce pain
associated with Carpel Tunnel Syndrome for example, by preventing the
wrist from curling in during sleep.
L3914 holds the wrist at extension to assist healing of a fx or to
therapeutically stretch tendons for example, when a more rigid type of
immobilization might be required.
Not to be glib but one pays more! I use L3908 on a short wrist support
and L3914 on a longer long. However your guess is as good as mine.
L3908 is a “non-molded” device and therefore not made of plastic etc.
L3914 does not stated that it is a molded device but by the fact the
L3908 exists to describe the non-molded devices it is logical to
interpret the L3914 as describing a WHO made of molded material.
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