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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 services that are not medically necessary are not covered. The rules also say that
experimental and investigational devices are not covered. You can find this rule at 42 CFR Sections 411.15 and
411.15(o).
The rules say a manual wheelchair for use inside the home (E1037 - E1039, E1161, K0001 - 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 information in Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Manual Wheelchair Bases (L33788).
HOME ASSESSMENT
Information showing that the coverage criteria in the Coverage Indications, Limitations, and/or Medical
Necessity section of the related LCD have been met must be present in the beneficiary's medical record.
Information about whether the beneficiary's home can accommodate the wheelchair (Criterion C), also called
the home assessment, must be fully documented in the medical record or elsewhere by the supplier.
You can find this information in Local Coverage Article: Manual Wheelchair Bases - Policy Article (A52497).
In order to justify payment for DMEPOS items, suppliers must meet the following requirements:
-Prescription (orders)
-Medical Record Information (including continued need/use if applicable)
-Correct Coding
-Proof of Delivery
You can find this information 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.