A common question I get regarding billing for orthotic devices is how to charge for the casting component. This is becoming more complicated lately because many ProLab clients are now using the ProLab foot scanner rather than plaster casting to capture an image of the foot.

In my own clinic, we have never billed separately for casting of orthotic devices. We have always considered casting an integral part of the orthotic have simply billed for the L3000 code for the right and left orthotics and then an EM code for the evaluation and management portion of the orthotic visit, which includes the evaluation of the patient and decision making regarding the orthotic prescription that is best going to treat the problem of each specific patient.

Another reason we have never billed for casting is that there is no specific CPT code for casting for orthotic devices. There are some unlisted casting codes that might work. A common one is 29799. Since more and more of the top orthotic practitioners, however, are moving toward scanning and there was no code for scanning for orthotic devices. My recommendation is to simply bill for the EM code in the orthotic devices.

I found a very complete article by Tony Poggio on the Podiatry Today website. This article goes into great detail on what every practitioner should know about orthotic billing. You can read that article here.

ProLab takes a scientific approach with our orthoses by integrating evidence-based medicine into orthotic therapy. Our team of Medical Consultants regularly evaluates the medical literature pertaining to orthotic therapy and biomechanics. ProLab clients are encouraged to contact a medical consultant whenever they have questions about an orthotic prescription.

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