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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 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 beneficiarys 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 
You can find this information in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Wheelchair Options/Accessories 
(L33792). 
 
V. A Group 3 PWC with Single Power Option (K0856-K0860) or with Multiple Power Options (K0861-
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 
 
IV. A Group 3 PWC with no power options (K0848-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 
 
III. A Group 2 Multiple Power Option PWC (K0841, K0842, K0843) is covered if all of the coverage criteria 
(a)-(e) for a PWC are met and if: 
 
    Criterion 1 or 2 is met; and 
    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 (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. 
 
If the PWC base is not covered, then related accessories will be denied. 
 
You can find this information in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) Power Mobility Devices (L33789). 
 
When three or more power seating functions/actuators/motors are provided, one unit of E2311 (electronic 
connection between wheelchair controller and two or more power seating system motors), one unit of E2377 
(expandable controller), and one unit of E2313 (harness for upgrade to expandable controller) are allowed. 
 
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 this information in the 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.