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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 state that all of the following basic criteria (A-C) must be met for a power mobility device to be 
covered. Additional coverage criteria for specific devices are listed below. 
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. 
The beneficiarys mobility limitation cannot be sufficiently and safely resolved by the use of an appropriately 
fitted cane or walker. 
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 power wheelchair is covered if: 
All of the basic coverage criteria (A-C) are met; and 
The beneficiary does not meet coverage criteria for a power operated vehicle (POV); and 
Either criterion J or K is met; and 
Criteria L, M, N, and O are met; and 
Any coverage criteria pertaining to the specific wheelchair type (see below) are met. 
The beneficiary has the mental and physical capabilities to safely operate the power wheelchair that is 
provided; or 
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 
The beneficiarys 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. 
The beneficiarys home provides adequate access between rooms, maneuvering space, and surfaces for the 
operation of the power wheelchair that is provided. 
Use of a power wheelchair will significantly improve the beneficiarys 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. 
The beneficiary has not expressed an unwillingness to use a power wheelchair in the home. 
If the base power wheelchair is not covered, all related accessories will also be denied. You can find these rules 
in Local Coverage Determination (LCD) Power Mobility Devices (L33789). 
 
The rules also say 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 the Local Coverage Article for Wheelchair Options/Accessories 
- Policy Article (A52504). 
 
Codes E2310 and E2311 describe electronic components that allow the patient to control two or more of the 
following motors from a single interface, e.g., proportional joystick, touchpad, or nonproportional interface: 
Power tilt 
Power recline, with or without shear reduction 
Combination power tilt and recline, with or without shear reduction 
Power leg elevation with or without articulation, power center mount elevating foot platform with or without 
articulating properties. 
The interface includes a function selection switch that allows the patient to select the motor that is being 
controlled and an indicator feature to visually show which function has been selected. When the wheelchair 
drive function has been selected, the indicator feature may also show the direction that has been selected 
(forward, reverse, left, right). This indicator feature may be in a separate display box or may be integrated into 
the wheelchair interface. Payment for the interface code includes an allowance for fixed mounting hardware for 
the control box and the display box, if present. You can find this information in the Local Coverage Article for 
Power Mobility Devices - Policy Article (A52498). 
 
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.