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The rules say that plans must pay for a medical service or item if regular Medicare would pay for it in this case. You can find this rule at 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 422.101.
The patient's medical records must establish medical necessity for a hospital bed due to one of the following reasons: 1. The patient's condition requires positioning of the body; e.g., to alleviate pain, promote good body alignment, prevent contractures, avoid respiratory infections, in ways not feasible in an ordinary bed; or 2. The patient's condition requires special attachments that cannot be fixed and used on an ordinary bed. You can find this rule in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Internet Only Manual, National Coverage Determinations Manual, Section 280.7(A). In order to qualify for a semi-electric hospital bed, the patient's condition must require frequent change in body position and/or there may be an immediate need for a change in body position (i.e., no delay can be tolerated) and the patient can operate the controls and cause the adjustments. Exceptions may be made to this last requirement in cases of spinal cord injury and brain damaged patients. You can find this rule in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Internet Only Manual, Medicare National Coverage Determinations Manual, Section 280.7(D).
A manual wheelchair for use inside the home (E1037, E1038, E1039, E1161, K0001, K0002, K0003, K0004, K0005, K0006, K0007, K0008, K0009) is covered if:
- Criteria A, B, C, D, and E are met; and
- Criterion F or G is met.
A. The beneficiary has a mobility limitation that significantly impairs his/her ability to participate in one or more mobility-related activities of daily living (MRADLs) such as toileting, feeding, dressing, grooming, and bathing in customary locations in the home. A mobility limitation is one that:
1. Prevents the beneficiary from accomplishing an MRADL entirely, or
2. Places the beneficiary at reasonably determined heightened risk of morbidity or mortality secondary to the attempts to perform an MRADL; or
3. Prevents the beneficiary from completing an MRADL within a reasonable time frame.
B. The beneficiary's mobility limitation cannot be sufficiently resolved by the use of an appropriately fitted cane or walker.
C. The beneficiary's home provides adequate access between rooms, maneuvering space, and surfaces for use of the manual wheelchair that is provided.
D. Use of a manual wheelchair will significantly improve the beneficiary's ability to participate in MRADLs and the beneficiary will use it on a regular basis in the home.
E. The beneficiary has not expressed an unwillingness to use the manual wheelchair that is provided in the home.
F. The beneficiary has sufficient upper extremity function and other physical and mental capabilities needed to safely self-propel the manual wheelchair that is provided in the home during a typical day. Limitations of strength, endurance, range of motion, or coordination, presence of pain, or deformity or absence of one or both upper extremities are relevant to the assessment of upper extremity function.
G. The beneficiary has a caregiver who is available, willing, and able to provide assistance with the wheelchair.
You can find this rule in Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Manual Wheelchair Bases (L33788).
If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com.
The Plan contract says that the Plan covers items and services in accordance with Medicare rules.