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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 that Medicare will cover a Power Mobility Device (PMD) (i.e., power wheelchair or scooter) for 
a person who meets the following criteria:  
 
1. The person must have a personal mobility deficit;  
2. The deficit must impair their participation in mobility related activities of daily living (MRADLs) such 
as toileting, feeding, grooming and bathing in customary locations within the home;  
3. The persons condition must not be able to be ameliorated by a walker, cane or manual wheelchair; and 
4. The person must be capable of safely operating the PMD.  
 
You can find this rule in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Internet Only Manual, Publication 
100-03, Medicare National Coverage Determinations Manual, Section 280.3(B). 
 
The rules say that Medicare will pay for durable medical equipment that is needed for use in the home. Your 
home may be a dwelling, an apartment, a relatives home, a home for the aged, or some other type of 
institution. However, an institution may not be considered your home if it is an acute hospital or a skilled 
nursing facility (SNF). You can find these rules in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Internet 
Only Manual, Publication 100-02, Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 15, Section 110.1(D). 
 
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 You can find this rule in Local Coverage Article: Power Mobility Devices - Policy Article (A52498) - Effective 
January 1, 2020. 
 
The rules say that code E2311 describes an electronic component that allows 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 
 
You can find this rule in Local Coverage Article: Power Mobility Devices - Policy Article (A52498) - Effective 
January 1, 2020. 
 
The rules say that a harness (E2313) describes all the wires, fuse boxes, fuses, circuits, switches, etc. that are 
required for the operation of an expandable controller (E2377). It also includes all the necessary fasteners, 
connectors, and mounting hardware. You can find this rule in Local Coverage Article: Power Mobility Devices 
- Policy Article (A52498) - Effective January 1, 2020. 
 
The rules say 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 rule in Local Coverage Determination (LCD):Wheelchair Options/Accessories (L33792) - 
Effective January 1, 2020. 
 
The rules say that a positioning back cushion (E2620) is covered for a beneficiary who meets both of the 
following criteria: 
 
1. The beneficiary has a manual wheelchair or a power wheelchair with a sling/solid seat/back and the 
beneficiary meets Medicare coverage criteria for it; and 
2. The beneficiary has any significant postural asymmetries 
 
You can find this rule in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) - Wheelchair Seating (L33312) - Effective 
January 1, 2020. 
 
 The rules say that a custom-fabricated seat cushion (E2609) is covered if: 
 
1. Beneficiary meets all of the criteria for a prefabricated skin protection seat cushion or positioning seat 
cushion; 
2. There is a comprehensive written evaluation by a licensed/certified medical professional, such as a physical 
therapist (PT) or occupational therapist (OT), which clearly explains why a prefabricated seating system is not 
sufficient to meet the beneficiarys seating and positioning needs. The PT or OT may have no financial 
relationship with the supplier. 
 
You can find this rule in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) - Wheelchair Seating (L33312) - Effective 
January 1, 2020. 
 
The rules say that a Group 3 power wheelchair can be covered only for enrollees who have a mobility 
limitation that is due to: 
 
1. A neurological condition; 
 
2. Myopathy; or 
 
3. Congenital skeletal deformity. 
 
You can find this rule in Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Power Mobility Devices L33789 (eff 1/1/17). 
 
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.