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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 rules say that medically necessary services are those that are reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of an illness or injury. Medically necessary services include services to improve the functioning of a malformed body member. You can find this rule in the Social Security Act, Section 1862(a)(1)(A). 

The rules say that for the items addressed in this LCD, the "reasonable and necessary" criteria, based on Social Security Act section 1862(a)(1)(A) provisions, are defined by the coverage indications, limitations and/or medical necessity. A determination of the medical necessity for certain components/additions to the prosthesis is based on the beneficiary's potential functional abilities. Potential functional ability is based on the reasonable expectations of the prosthetist, and treating practitioner, considering factors including, but not limited to:
1. The beneficiary's past history (including prior prosthetic use if applicable); and
2. The beneficiary's current condition including the status of the residual limb and the nature of other medical problems; and
3. The beneficiary's desire to ambulate.
Clinical assessments of beneficiary rehabilitation potential must be based on the following classification levels: 

Level 0: Does not have the ability or potential to ambulate or transfer safely with or without assistance and a prosthesis does not enhance their quality of life or mobility. 

Level 1: Has the ability or potential to use a prosthesis for transfers or ambulation on level surfaces at fixed cadence. Typical of the limited and unlimited household ambulator. 

Level 2: Has the ability or potential for ambulation with the ability to traverse low level environmental barriers such as curbs, stairs or uneven surfaces. Typical of the limited community ambulator. 

Level 3: Has the ability or potential for ambulation with variable cadence. Typical of the community ambulator who has the ability to traverse most environmental barriers and may have vocational, therapeutic, or exercise activity that demands prosthetic utilization beyond simple locomotion.

The records must document the beneficiary's current functional capabilities and his/her expected functional potential, including an explanation for the difference, if that is the case. It is recognized, within the functional classification hierarchy, that bilateral amputees often cannot be strictly bound by functional level classifications. You can find this rule in the Local Coverage Determination for Lower Limb Prostheses, L33787 (eff 01/01/20).

The rules say that the medical record is not limited to treating practitioner's office records but may include records from hospitals, nursing facilities, home health agencies, other healthcare professionals, etc. (not all-inclusive). Records from suppliers or healthcare professionals with a financial interest in the claim outcome are not considered sufficient by themselves for determining that an item is reasonable and necessary. You can find this rule in the Local Coverage Article for Standard Documentation Requirements for All Claims Submitted to DME MACs, A55426 (eff 04/06/20).

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.