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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 all of the following basic criteria (A-C) must be met for a power mobility device (K0800, K0801, K0802, K0806, K0807, K0808, K0812, K0813, K0814, K0815, K0816, K0820, K0821, K0822, K0823, K0824, K0825, K0826, K0827, K0828, K0829, K0835, K0836, K0837, K0838, K0839, K0840, K0841, K0842, K0843, K0848, K0849, K0850, K0851, K0852, K0853, K0854, K0855, K0856, K0857, K0858, K0859, K0860, K0861, K0862, K0863, K0864, K0868, K0869, K0870, K0871, K0877, K0878, K0879, K0880, K0884, K0885, K0886, K0890, K0891, K0898) 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:
o Prevents the beneficiary from accomplishing an MRADL entirely, or
o Places the beneficiary at reasonably determined heightened risk of morbidity or mortality secondary to the attempts to perform an MRADL; or
o 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.
o 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.
o An optimally-configured manual wheelchair is one with an appropriate wheelbase, device weight, seating options, and other appropriate nonpowered accessories.

The rules say a power wheelchair is covered if:

a. All of the basic coverage criteria (A-C) are met; and
b. The beneficiary does not meet coverage criterion D, E, or F for a POV; and
c. Either criterion J or K is met; and
d. Criteria L, M, N, and O are met; and
e. Any coverage criteria pertaining to the specific wheelchair type (see below) are met.
J. The beneficiary has the mental and physical capabilities to safely operate the power wheelchair that is provided; or
K. If the beneficiary is unable to safely operate the power wheelchair, the beneficiary has a caregiver who is unable to adequately propel an optimally configured manual wheelchair, but is available, willing, and able to safely operate the power wheelchair that is provided; and
L. The beneficiary's weight is less than or equal to the weight capacity of the power wheelchair that is provided and greater than or equal to 95% of the weight capacity of the next lower weight class PWC - i.e., a Heavy Duty PWC is covered for a beneficiary weighing 285 - 450 pounds; a Very Heavy Duty PWC is covered for a beneficiary weighing 428 - 600 pounds; an Extra Heavy Duty PWC is covered for a beneficiary weighing 570 pounds or more.
M. The beneficiary's home provides adequate access between rooms, maneuvering space, and surfaces for the operation of the power wheelchair that is provided.
N. Use of a power wheelchair will significantly improve the beneficiary's ability to participate in MRADLs and the beneficiary will use it in the home. For beneficiaries with severe cognitive and/or physical impairments, participation in MRADLs may require the assistance of a caregiver.
O. The beneficiary has not expressed an unwillingness to use a power wheelchair in the home.

If a PWC will be used inside the home and if coverage criteria (a)-(e) are not met, it will be denied as not reasonable and necessary.

A Group 3 PWC with no power options (K0848, K0849, K0850, K0851, K0852, K0853, K0854, K0855) is covered if:

A. All of the coverage criteria (a)-(e) for a PWC are met; and
B. The beneficiary's mobility limitation is due to a neurological condition, myopathy, or congenital skeletal deformity

A Group 2 Multiple Power Option PWC (K0841, K0842, K0843) is covered if all of the coverage criteria (a)-(e) for a PWC are met and if:

A. Criterion 1 or 2 is met; and
B. Criteria 3 and 4 are met.
1. The beneficiary meets coverage criteria for a power tilt and recline seating system (see Wheelchair Options and Accessories policy) and the system is being used on the wheelchair.
2. The beneficiary uses a ventilator which is mounted on the wheelchair.
3. The beneficiary has had a specialty evaluation that was performed by a licensed/certified medical professional, such as a PT or OT, or practitioner who has specific training and experience in rehabilitation wheelchair evaluations and that documents the medical necessity for the wheelchair and its special features (see Documentation Requirements section). The PT, OT, or practitioner may have no financial relationship with the supplier.
4. The wheelchair is provided by a supplier that employs a RESNA-certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) who specializes in wheelchairs and who has direct, in-person involvement in the wheelchair selection for the beneficiary.

If a Group 2 Multiple Power Option PWC is provided and if criterion III(A) or III(B) is not met, it will be denied as not reasonable and necessary. 

A Group 3 PWC with Single Power Option (K0856, K0857, K0858, K0859, K0860) or with Multiple Power Options (K0861, K0862, K0863, K0864) is covered if:

A. The Group 3 criteria IV(A) and IV(B) are met; and
B. The Group 2 Single Power Option (criteria II[A] and II[B]) or Multiple Power Options (criteria III[A] and III[B]) (respectively) are met.

If a Group 3 Single Power Option or Multiple Power Options PWC is provided and if criterion V(A) or (V)(B) is not met, it will be denied as not reasonable and necessary. 

You can find this rule in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Power Mobility Devices (L33789).

A power seating system - tilt only, recline only, or combination tilt and recline - with or without power elevating legrests will be covered if criteria 1, 2, and 3 are met and if criterion 4, 5, or 6 is met:

1. The beneficiary meets all the coverage criteria for a power wheelchair described in the Power Mobility Devices LCD; and
2. A specialty evaluation that was performed by a licensed/certified medical professional, such as a physical therapist (PT) or occupational therapist (OT) or practitioner who has specific training and experience in rehabilitation wheelchair evaluations of the beneficiary's seating and positioning needs. The PT, OT, or practitioner may have no financial relationship with the supplier; and
3. The wheelchair is provided by a supplier that employs a RESNA-certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) who specializes in wheelchairs and who has direct, in-person involvement in the wheelchair selection for the beneficiary.
4. The beneficiary is at high risk for development of a pressure ulcer and is unable to perform a functional weight shift; or
5. The beneficiary utilizes intermittent catheterization for bladder management and is unable to independently transfer from the wheelchair to bed; or
6. The power seating system is needed to manage increased tone or spasticity.

If these criteria are not met, the power seating component(s) will be denied as not reasonable and necessary.

You can find this rule in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Wheelchair Options/Accessories (L33792).

The rules say a headrest (E0955) is also covered when the beneficiary has a covered manual tilt-in-space, manual semi or fully reclining back on a manual wheelchair, a manual fully reclining back on a power wheelchair, or power tilt and/or recline power seating system.

You can find this rule in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Wheelchair Seating (L33312).

The rules say that an expandable controller is capable of accommodating one or more of the following additional functions:

- Other types of proportional input devices (e.g., mini-proportional or compact joysticks, touchpads, chin control, head control, etc.)
- Non-proportional input devices (e.g., sip and puff, head array, etc.)
- Operate 3 or more powered seating actuators through the drive control. (Note: Control of the power seating actuators though the Control Input Device would require the use of an additional component, E2310 or E2311.)

An expandable controller may also be able to operate one or more of the following:
- A separate display (i.e., for alternate control devices)
- Other electronic devices (e.g., control of an augmentative speech device or computer through the chair's drive control)
- An attendant control

For power wheelchairs which are capable of being upgraded to an expandable controller (K0835, K0836, K0837, K0838, K0839, K0840, K0841, K0842, K0843, K0848, K0849, K0850, K0851, K0852, K0853, K0854, K0855, K0856 K0857, K0858, K0859, K0860, K0861 K0862, K0863, K0864, K0868, K0869, K0870, K0871, K0877, K0878, K0879, K0880, K0884, K0885, K0886, K0890, K0891), E2377 is used if an expandable controller is provided at the time of initial issue. Code E2376 is used with complete replacement of an expandable controller.

A harness (E2313) describes all of the wires, fuse boxes, fuses, circuits, switches, etc. that are required for the operation of an expandable controller. It also includes all the necessary fasteners, connectors, and mounting hardware. Code E2313 is separately billable in addition to an expandable controller both at initial issue and with complete replacement of the expandable controller. Code K0108 must not be used for any component or feature of an expandable controller at the time of initial issue. The reimbursement for any type of complete expandable controller is included in the allowance for codes E2377/E2376 plus E2313. However, if individual components of the harness are replaced, code K0108 should be used.

You can find this rule in the Local Coverage Article: Wheelchair Options/Accessories - Policy Article (A52504).

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.