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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 a Group 3 power wheelchair with multiple power options is covered if all of the following 
are met:  
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:  
a) Prevents the beneficiary from accomplishing an MRADL entirely, or 
b) Places the beneficiary at reasonably determined heightened risk of morbidity or mortality 
secondary to the attempts to perform an MRADL; or 
c) Prevents the beneficiary from completing an MRADL within a reasonable time frame. 
B. The beneficiarys 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.  
a) 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. 
b) An optimally-configured manual wheelchair is one with an appropriate wheelbase, device 
weight, seating options, and other appropriate nonpowered accessories. 
D. The beneficiary is able to:  
a) Safely transfer to and from a POV, and 
b) Operate the tiller steering system, and 
c) Maintain postural stability and position while operating the POV in the home 
E. The beneficiarys 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 mobility limitation is due to a neurological condition, myopathy, or congenital 
skeletal deformity; 
A group 3 power wheelchair with multiple power options is covered if A, B, C, and D or E, F, G, and H are 
met:  
A. 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). 
B. The beneficiary meets coverage criteria for a power tilt or a power recline seating system and the 
system is being used on the wheelchair. 
C. 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. The PT, OT, or practitioner may have no financial 
relationship with the supplier. 
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. 
E. The beneficiary meets coverage criteria for a power tilt and recline seating system and the system is 
being used on the wheelchair. 
F. The beneficiary uses a ventilator which is mounted on the wheelchair. 
G. 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. 
H. 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. 
The rules state that if the power wheelchair base is not covered, then related accessories will be denied. 
 
You can find these rules in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) for Power Mobility Devices, L33789. 
 
The rules state that an expandable controller is an electronic system that is capable of accommodating one or 
more of the following additional functions: 
a. Proportional input devices (e.g., mini, compact, or short throw joysticks, touchpads, chin control, head 
control, etc.) other than a standard proportional joystick. 
b. Non-proportional input devices (e.g., sip and puff, head array, etc.) 
c. Operate 3 or more powered seating actuators through the drive control.  
 
An expandable controller may also be able to operate one or more of the following: 
d. A separate display (i.e., for alternate control devices) 
e. Other electronic devices (e.g., control of an augmentative speech device or computer through the chair's 
drive control) 
f. An attendant control 
 
A power tilt and recline seating system (E1006-E1008) includes: a solid seat platform and a solid back; any 
frame width and depth; detachable or flip-up fixed height or adjustable height armrests; fixed or swingaway 
detachable legrests; fixed or flip-up footplates; two motors and related electronics with or without variable 
speed programmability; a switch control which is independent of the power wheelchair drive control interface. 
 A power leg elevation feature (E1010, E1012) involves dedicated motor(s) and related electronics with or 
without variable speed programmability which allows the legrest to be raised and lowered independently of the 
recline and/or tilt of the seating system. It includes a switch control which may or may not be integrated with 
the power tilt and/or recline control(s). 
 
You can find these rules in the Local Coverage Article for 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.