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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 medically necessary services are those that are reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or 
treatment of an illness or injury. Medically necessary services include services to improve the functioning of a 
malformed body member. You can find this rule in the Social Security Act, Section 1862(a)(1)(A). 
 
The rules say that services that are not medically necessary are not covered. The rules also say that 
experimental and investigational devices are not covered. You can find this rule at 42 CFR Sections 411.15 and 
411.15(o). 
 
The rules say that Medicare will pay for durable medical equipment that is mainly used to serve a medical 
purpose. Items such as hospital beds, respirators, wheelchairs and crutches are examples of equipment that are 
clearly used for medical purposes. Medicare will not pay for: 
 
1. Equipment that is primarily and customarily used for nonmedical purposes. Examples include air 
conditioners, humidifiers, dehumidifiers and electric air cleaners; 
2. Equipment used for a patients comfort or for the convenience of a person caring for the patient. Examples 
include elevators, stairway elevators, physical fitness equipment and self-help devices such as grab bars. 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.  
 
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 (K0835, K0836, 
K0837, K0838, K0839, K0840, K0841, K0842, K0843, K0848, K0849, K0850, K0851, K0852, K0853, 
K0854, K0855, K0856 K0857, K0858, K0859, K0860, K0861 K0862, K0863, K0864, K0868, K0869, K0870, 
K0871, K0877, K0878, K0879, K0880, K0884, K0885, K0886, K0890, K0891), 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 information in the Local 
Coverage Article (LCA): Wheelchair Options/Accessories (A52504). 
 
The rules say that a custom fabricated seat cushion (E2609) is covered if criteria (1) and (3) are met. A custom 
fabricated back cushion (E2617) is covered if criteria (2) and (3) are met: 
 
1. Beneficiary meets all of the criteria for a prefabricated skin protection seat cushion or positioning seat 
cushion; 
 
2. Beneficiary meets all of the criteria for a prefabricated positioning back cushion; 
 
3. 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. 
 
If a custom fabricated cushion is provided for a beneficiary who does not meet the stated coverage criteria, it 
will be denied as not reasonable and necessary. You can find this information in the Local Coverage 
Determination (LCD): Wheelchair Seating (L33312). 
 
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.