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Decision: unknown

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,
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:
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 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.
POWER WHEELCHAIRS (K0013, 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):
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.
If a PWC will only be used outside the home, see related Policy Article for information concerning
noncoverage.
II. A Group 2 Single Power Option PWC (K0835, K0836, K0837, K0838, K0839, K0840) 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 requires a drive control interface other than a hand or chin-operated standard
proportional joystick (examples include but are not limited to head control, sip and puff, switch control).
2. The beneficiary meets coverage criteria for a power tilt or a power recline seating system (see
Wheelchair Options and Accessories policy for coverage criteria) and the system is being used on the
wheelchair.
3. The beneficiary has had 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 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.
IV. 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; 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 (see
Documentation Requirements section). 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.
If a Group 3 PWC is provided and if criteria (IV)(A) - (IV)(D) are not met, it will be denied as not reasonable
and necessary.
V. 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 information in Medicare's Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Power Mobility Devices
(L33789).
The rules say that POWER TILT AND/OR RECLINE SEATING SYSTEMS (E1002, E1003, E1004, E1005,
E1006, E1007, E1008, E1009, E1010, E1012):
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.
A power seat elevation feature (E2300) and power standing feature (E2301) are non-covered because they are
not primarily medical in nature. If a wheelchair has an electrical connection device described by code E2310 or
E2311 and if the sole function of the connection is for a power seat elevation or power standing feature, it will
be denied as non-covered.
You can find this information in Medicare's Local Coverage Article: Wheelchair Options/Accessories - Policy
Article (A52504) and Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Wheelchair Options/Accessories (L33792).
If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com.