Welcome to a Smarter Way to Support Osteoarthritis Patients
If you’re in the business of durable medical equipment (DME), you know that the right brace can do more than just stabilize a joint it can improve lives, speed up recovery, and help providers stay compliant.
The L1852 knee brace is one of the most commonly prescribed braces for osteoarthritis and post-op rehab and for good reason. It offers rigid support, adjustability, and, most importantly for U.S. DME providers, it’s billable under a PDAC-approved HCPCS code.
In this blog, we will walk through exactly what you need to know to confidently supply, bill, and ship L1852 knee braces in today’s healthcare landscape.
What Makes the L1852 Brace a Go-To for Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA) doesn’t just cause discomfort it can severely limit a patient’s ability to walk, work, or live independently. That’s why the orthopedic specialists often recommend L1852 knee brace for moderate to severe OA.
Rigid, hinged frame offers strong support while still allowing controlled movement.
Adjustable flexion & extension settings help tailor mobility to each patient’s stage of recovery.
Side-to-side (medial/lateral) stability reduces strain on the joint during everyday activities.
Prefabricated, off-the-shelf design means faster fitting and quicker patient turnaround no long lead times.
It’s also commonly used after knee surgery or when ligament support is needed for knee conditions like ACL or MCL instability.
What the L1852 Code Covers And Why It Matters
The HCPCS code L1852 isn’t just a billing formality. It tells Medicare and insurers:
“This knee brace offers rigid support, multiple axis control, and is medically necessary.”
This type of brace is typically used after surgeries such as:
Let’s break it down:
✔️ Included under L1852:
✔️Prefabricated, rigid-frame knee orthoses
✔️Adjustable flexion/extension joints
✔️Support for medial/lateral movement and rotation
To qualify for billing under L1852, the brace must:
✔️ Be rigid with adjustable flexion/extension joints
✔️Offer medial/lateral and rotational support
✔️Be PDAC-approved and off-the-shelf (not custom-fabricated)
Billing L1852 Braces Without Headaches
To get paid and stay compliant you’ll need to submit a complete and accurate claim. Here’s your billing checklist:
Prescription signed by a licensed healthcare provider
Chart notes showing diagnosis and medical necessity (OA, instability, post-op rehab)
Proof of fitting or delivery keep documentation on hand
Brace must be PDAC-approved for L1852 don’t guess, confirm it.
Pro Tip: Always verify with your supplier that the brace is listed on the PDAC registry under L1852. At Ava Medical Supply, we do this work for you.
Why Dropshipping L1852 Braces Is a Game-Changer for Providers
Managing inventory and shipping in-house can slow down your workflow — especially when you’re juggling multiple suppliers or regions.
That’s where dropshipping steps in. Here’s how it helps:
✔️ Reduces overhead by eliminating storage and stockpiling
✔️ Direct-to-clinic or patient delivery, anywhere in the U.S.
✔️ Ava Medical Supply includes documentation for billing
✔️ Faster turnaround = better patient care and higher satisfaction
Whether you’re supporting a small clinic or a growing orthopedic group, dropshipping lets you focus on patients not logistics.
Why DME Providers Nationwide Choose Ava Medical Supply
At Ava Medical Supply, we’re more than just a supplier, we’re the behind-the-scenes partner helping DME providers stay compliant, efficient, and ready for anything.
We know how frustrating it can be dealing with unclear L-codes, delayed shipments, or ever changing billing requirements. That’s why we’ve built our services around your daily workflow so you can focus on patients, not paperwork.
Here’s how we support your success:
✔️ PDAC-approved L1852 braces — so you’re never left guessing about compliance
✔️ Ready-to-use billing documents and templates saving your team hours
✔️ Fast, reliable shipping across the U.S. from California clinics to Florida rehab centers
✔️ Real support from real people no chatbots, no hold music, just knowledgeable reps who know the DME space.
We specialize in B2B DME dropshipping, helping practices, hospitals, and home care providers deliver quality orthopedic care without the overhead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, as long as it’s PDAC-listed and supported by proper documentation of medical necessity from the prescribing provider.
Definitely. Ava Medical Supply offers secure, HIPAA-compliant direct-to-patient shipping for clinics, hospitals, and home health providers.
The L1852 provides rotation control and a more rigid level of support—ideal for moderate to severe OA or ligament instability. L1851 is less restrictive and better suited for milder cases.
This brace is commonly used for moderate to severe osteoarthritis, ACL/MCL instability, and post-operative recovery where joint stability and range-of-motion control are key.
Your supplier should provide proof. We do. Every L1852 brace from Ava Medical Supply comes PDAC-verified.
Practical, Profitable, and Patient-Focused
The L1852 OA knee brace isn’t just another product. It’s a tool that helps patients move with less pain and providers stay compliant and profitable.
✅ Choose braces with PDAC approval
✅ Submit clean documentation for faster payments
✅ Work with a trusted dropship supplier to streamline operations
Ava Medical Supply is here to help you every step of the way.
📞 Let’s Talk
Ready to order or dropship L1852 braces for your practice or facility?
Reach out today and discover how Ava Medical Supply makes DME supply simple, compliant, and nationwide.
📍 Serving DME clinics, orthopedic centers, and hospitals across the U.S.
