Healthcare Insights
Top 10 walking assistive device durable medical equipment codes
Durable medical equipment (DME) codes track the specific types of devices patients use across various conditions and treatment plans.
This Healthcare Insight reviews data from the Atlas All-Payor Claims Dataset to learn about the top DME codes for the DME category “walking aids and related devices” or walking assistance devices. Calendar year 2022 claims were used for the analysis.
| Rank | HCPCS code | DME HCPCS code description | Percent of walking aids and related devices DME claims in 2022 | Explore dataset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E0143 | Walker folding wheeled w/o s | 45.40% | Explore |
| 2 | E0114 | Crutch underarm pair no wood | 20.40% | Explore |
| 3 | E0156 | Walker seat attachment | 14.30% | Explore |
| 4 | E0149 | Heavy duty wheeled walker | 5.60% | Explore |
| 5 | E0100 | Cane adjust/fixed with tip | 4.20% | Explore |
| 6 | E0118 | Crutch substitute | 2.70% | Explore |
| 7 | E0135 | Walker folding adjust/fixed | 1.80% | Explore |
| 8 | E0105 | Cane adjust/fixed quad/3 pro | 1.80% | Explore |
| 9 | E0144 | Enclosed walker w rear seat | 0.70% | Explore |
| 10 | E0154 | Walker platform attachment | 0.60% | Explore |
Fig. 1. Data from the Definitive Healthcare Atlas All-Payor Claims product for calendar year 2022. Claims data is sourced from multiple medical claims clearinghouses in the United States and updated monthly. Accessed May 2023.
What is the most common walking aid DME code?
Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) procedure code E0143 – walker, folding wheeled without seat is the most common walking aid DME code representing nearly half of the 2022 walking aid procedures.
Code E0114 crutch underarm pair no wood makes up another 20% of walking aid procedures for 2022.
What are walking assistive devices?
Assistive devices for walking help with support and balance as well as provide the user independence to help maintain activity.
The types of walking aids covered by DME codes include:
- Canes
- Crutches
- Walkers
What conditions require assistive devices for walking?
Conditions, surgeries, or injuries related to the legs, knees, ankles, or feet may require walking assistance devices.
Crutches and walkers may be used by a patient following knee surgery, for example.
DME is covered by Medicare Part B, and many of the walker HCPCS codes may represent Medicare beneficiaries that use walkers for greater mobility. Walkers and attachments, such as platforms, seats, and wheels, cover more than 63% of the walking aid and related devices’ DME codes.
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