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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 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 rule in the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services, Local Coverage Article: Wheelchair Options/Accessories - Policy Article (A52504)
effective January 1, 2020.
All of the following basic criteria (A-C) must be met for a power mobility device (K0861) or a push-rim
activated power assist device (E0986) to be covered.
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 optimallyconfigured
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.
You can find this rule in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Local Coverage Determination
(LCD): Power Mobility Devices (L33789).
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 (K0861), 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 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 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.