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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 all of the following basic criteria (A-C) must be met for a power mobility device (K0800) or a push-rim activated power assist device (E0986) to be covered. Additional coverage criteria for specific devices are listed below.

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: Prevents the beneficiary from accomplishing an MRADL entirely, or Places the beneficiary at reasonably determined heightened risk of morbidity or mortality secondary to the attempts to perform an MRADL; or Prevents the beneficiary from completing an MRADL within a reasonable time frame. 

B. The beneficiary's mobility limitation cannot be sufficiently and safely resolved by the use of an appropriately fitted cane or walker.

C. The beneficiary does not have sufficient upper extremity function to self-propel an optimally-configured manual wheelchair in the home to perform MRADLs 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. An optimally-configured manual wheelchair is one with an appropriate wheelbase, device weight, seating options, and other appropriate nonpowered accessories.

A POV is covered if all of the basic coverage criteria (A-C) have been met and if criteria D-I are also met. 

D. The beneficiary is able to: Safely transfer to and from a power operated vehicles (POV), and Operate the tiller steering system, and Maintain postural stability and position while operating the POV in the home. 

E. The beneficiary's mental capabilities (e.g., cognition, judgment) and physical capabilities (e.g., vision) are sufficient for safe mobility using a POV in the home.

F. The beneficiary's home provides adequate access between rooms, maneuvering space, and surfaces for the operation of the POV that is provided.

G. The beneficiary's weight is less than or equal to the weight capacity of the POV that is provided and greater than or equal to 95% of the weight capacity of the next lower weight class POV - i.e., a Heavy Duty POV is covered for a beneficiary weighing 285 - 450 pounds; a Very Heavy Duty POV is covered for a beneficiary weighing 428 - 600 pounds.

H. Use of a POV will significantly improve the beneficiary's ability to participate in MRADLs and the beneficiary will use it in the home. 

I. The beneficiary has not expressed an unwillingness to use a POV in the home.

If a POV will be used inside the home and coverage criteria A-I are not met, it will be denied as not reasonable and necessary. 

Group 2 POVs (K0806, K0807, K0808) have added capabilities that are not needed for use in the home. Therefore, if a Group 2 POV is provided it will be denied as not reasonable and necessary. If a POV will only be used outside the home, see related Policy Article for information concerning noncoverage. 

You can find this information in Medicare's Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Power Mobility Devices (L33789).

If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com.