K-levels are the rating system established by Medicare to indicate a person’s rehabilitation potential. The system gives a rating from 0 through 4 and indicates a person’s potential to use a prosthetic device if they had a device that worked well for them and they completed rehabilitation to use the device properly.
Your K-level designation is important because it is the driving factor in the decision on what prosthetic device to provide to you and the payment for that prosthetic device. Payment by Medicare, and most insurers, is guided by the amputee’s K-level designation.
Insurance companies want to ensure that when they pay for a prosthesis, the amputee will likely be able to use the device. Insurance companies do not want to pay for an expensive prosthesis only to have the amputee not use it because it is unrealistic for the person to be up and about. On the other hand, insurance companies also want to be sure that if the person has the potential for walking about in the community, getting back into hobbies, sports, and other recreational activities, that they receive a prosthetic device that will allow the amputee to successfully do those things. In short, the prosthesis should match the person’s need and potential.
There are several outcome measures used to establish K levels which include;
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Amputee Mobility Predictor (AMP)
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Patient Assessment Validation Evaluation Test (PAVET)
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Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire (PEQ)
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Timed Up and Go (TUG)
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Timed Walk Tests
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Distance Walk Tests