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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 state that all of the following basic criteria (A-C) must be met for a power mobility device or a push-rim activated power assist device 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 non-powered accessories.
A power wheelchair (PWC) 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.
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.
A Group 2 Multiple Power Option PWC 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 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. 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.
A Group 3 PWC with no power options 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; and
C. 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. The PT, OT, or practitioner may have no financial relationship with the supplier; and
D. 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.
A Group 3 PWC with Single Power Option or with Multiple Power Options is covered if:
A. The Group 3 criteria A and B are met; and
B. The Group 2 Single Power Option or Multiple Power Options (respectively) are met.
If a Group 3 Single Power Option or Multiple Power Options PWC is provided and if one of these criteria are not met, it will be denied as not reasonable and necessary. You can find these rules in Local Coverage Determination (LCD) Power Mobility Devices (L33789).
The rules state that up to two batteries at any one time are allowed if required for a power wheelchair. One example (not all-inclusive) of a covered indication for swing-away, retractable, or removable hardware would be to move the component out of the way so that a beneficiary can perform a slide transfer to a chair or bed. A power seating system - tilt only, recline only, or combination tilt and recline - with or without power elevating leg rests 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; 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 these rules in Local Coverage Determination (LCD) Wheelchair Options/Accessories (L33792).
The rules state that a skin protection seat cushion is covered for a beneficiary who meets both of the following criteria:
1. The beneficiary has a manual wheelchair or a power wheelchair with a sling/solid seat/back and the beneficiary meets Medicare coverage criteria for it; and
2. The beneficiary has either of the following (a or b):
a. Current pressure ulcer or past history of a pressure ulcer on the area of contact with the seating surface; or
b. Absent or impaired sensation in the area of contact with the seating surface or inability to carry out a functional weight shift
A positioning seat cushion, positioning back cushion, and positioning accessory are covered for a beneficiary who meets both of the following criteria:
1. The beneficiary has a manual wheelchair or a power wheelchair with a sling/solid seat/back and the beneficiary meets Medicare coverage criteria for it; and
2. The beneficiary has any significant postural asymmetries that are due to certain diagnoses.
A combination skin protection and positioning seat cushion is covered for a beneficiary who meets the criteria for both a skin protection seat cushion and a positioning seat cushion. A headrest 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 these rules in Local Coverage Determination (LCD) Wheelchair Seating (L33312).
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).
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.