Unlike traditional prosthetic devices, the BiOM Ankle restores lost muscle power and ankle-foot movement, enabling lower limb amputees to have a greater quality of life by:
Increasing walking distance and speed 2,17
- Powered propulsion enhances mobility by emulating lost muscles and tendons using less metabolic energy
- Productivity gains allow a return to work, school or re-training programs
- Mobility to prevent weight gain and allow moderate exercise for increased overall health
Reducing joint damage, pain and risk of osteoarthritis 2,7,16,17
- Mimics normal ankle movement for a natural stride
- Centers alignment to reduce joint forces and damage on the spine, hips, knees
Improving safety and stability on variable terrain2, 12
- Dynamic resistance controls the ankle movement from heel strike to foot push off
- Provides balance for ambulatory confidence
- Reduction of fall risk
Providing easier climbing of ramps, hills and stairs2, 12
- Powered propulsion drives the patient forward and upward while balancing weight transfer
- Reduction of fall risk
BiOM Patient Profile
The BiOM Ankle is for people with above or below the knee amputations who are low to moderately active and want to maintain an active lifestyle.
| Amputation Level |
|
| Functional Level | K3, K4 (Low to moderate impact; Ability to walk at variable speeds) |
| Maximum Weight | 287 lbs (130 kg) |
| Foot Sizes | 25-30 cm |
| Minimum Clearance | 8 5/8’ (21.7 cm) |
Learn more Bionx Patient Profile
Insurance Coverage
The BiOM Ankle is covered by a number of providers, including Workers’ Compensation, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and Non-Profit Funding for veterans who do not have the VA benefit. Private insurers who have provided reimbursement for their enrollees - on a case-by-case basis - include Aetna, various Blue Cross and Blue Shield insurers, Empire State, Humana, United Healthcare and Tricare.
Clinical References & Key Publications
A list of peer-reviewed publications citing the functional improvement of the BiOM Ankle versus conventional prosthetic technology can be found here (link).
Reimbursement Coding
BiOM L Code Status
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) has recognized the unique aspects of the BiOM Ankle and has designated a unique code to supplement the existing L5973 Code. The BiOM Ankle is reimbursed using both the L5973 and the L5969 together.
The L5969 Code reimburses the unique power assist technology of the BiOM Ankle, describing it as, “Addition, endoskeletal ankle-foot or Ankle, power assist, includes any type motor(s).”
The word “Addition” included in the code enables practitioners to add the L5969 code to the existing L5973 code that reimburses the microprocessor computing of the BiOM Ankle.
Development & Adoption with the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans’ Affairs
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Department of Defense helped fund and conduct clinical research on the early BiOM Ankle designs. Initial published research on the BiOM Ankle was conducted and published by researchers at the VA Center of Restorative and Regenerative Medicine in Providence, Rhode Island, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, MA, and the Center for the Intrepid in San Antonio, Texas.
U.S. veterans have served as the most prolific users of the technology, while also providing us with consistent feedback and suggestions. The U.S. war fighter’s commitment to Personal Bionics has helped provide a more natural gait and normalized function to so many civilian individuals with lower-extremity amputation.
Learn more about one veteran’s BiOM experience
