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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 CFR 422.101.
The rules say that Medicare will pay for durable medical equipment (DME) that is reasonable and necessary for treatment of an illness or injury, or to improve the functioning of a malformed body part. Medicare considers equipment to be reasonable and necessary if the equipment does not serve the same purpose as other equipment already available to an enrollee. You can find these rules in the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 15, Section 110.1(C). The rules say that the reasonable useful lifetime (RUL) of durable medical equipment is determined through program instructions. In the absence of program instructions, carriers may determine the reasonable useful lifetime of equipment, but in no case can it be less than 5 years. Computation of the useful lifetime is based on when the equipment is delivered to the beneficiary, not the age of the equipment. Replacement due to wear is not covered during the reasonable useful lifetime of the equipment. During the reasonable useful lifetime, Medicare does cover repair up to the cost of replacement (but not actual replacement) for medically necessary equipment owned by the beneficiary. Cases suggesting malicious damage, culpable neglect, or wrongful disposition of equipment should be investigated and denied where the DME MACs determines that it is unreasonable to make program payment under the circumstances. The rules can be found in the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual Chapter 15 under Covered Medical and Other Services Section 110.2. for Repairs, Maintenance, Replacement, and Delivery. CPAP REPLACEMENT: This section applies to PAP devices initially provided and covered while the beneficiary was in Medicare fee-for-service (FFS). If a PAP device is replaced during the 5-year reasonable useful lifetime (RUL) because of loss, theft, or irreparable damage due to a specific incident, there is no requirement for a new clinical evaluation, sleep test, or trial period. If a PAP device is replaced following the 5 year RUL, there must be a face-to-face evaluation by their treating practitioner that documents that the beneficiary continues to use and benefit from the PAP device. There is no requirement for a new sleep test or trial period. For PAP devices with initial dates of service on or after November 1, 2008, documentation of clinical benefit is demonstrated by: 1. Face-to-face clinical re-evaluation by the treating practitioner with documentation that symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea are improved; and, 2. Objective evidence of adherence to use of the PAP device, reviewed by the treating practitioner. Adherence to therapy is defined as use of PAP =4 hours per night on 70% of nights during a consecutive thirty (30) day period anytime during the first three (3) months of initial usage. You can find this information in Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Devices for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (L33718).
If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this web site www.medicareappeal.com.
The Plan contract says that the Plan covers items and services in accordance with Medicare rules.