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Decision: unknown

 
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 an expandable controller is capable of accommodating one or more of the following 
additional functions: 
 
- Other types of proportional input devices (such as, mini-proportional or compact joysticks, touchpads, chin 
control, head control, and so on) 
- Non-proportional input devices (such as, sip and puff, head array, and so on) 
- 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 (for example, for alternate control devices) 
- Other electronic devices (such as, 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 procedure code E2311 describes the electronic components that allow the beneficiary to 
control two or more of the following motors from a single interface (e.g., proportional joystick, touchpad, or 
non-proportional interface): power wheelchair drive, power tilt, power recline, power shear reduction, power 
leg elevation, power seat elevation, power standing. 
 
You can find this information in the Local Coverage Article for Wheelchair Options/Accessories - Policy 
Article (A52504). 
 
POWER TILT AND/OR RECLINE SEATING SYSTEMS (E1002, E1003, E1004, E1005, E1006, E1007, 
E1008, E1009, E1010, E1012): 
 
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: 
 
The beneficiary meets all the coverage criteria for a power wheelchair described in the Power Mobility Devices 
LCD; and 
 
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 beneficiary's seating and positioning needs. The PT, OT, 
or practitioner may have no financial relationship with the supplier; and 
 
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 beneficiary is at high risk for development of a pressure ulcer and is unable to perform a functional weight 
shift; or 
 
The beneficiary utilizes intermittent catheterization for bladder management and is unable to independently 
transfer from the wheelchair to bed; or 
 
The power seating system is needed to manage increased tone or spasticity. 
 
If these criteria are not met, the power seating component(s) will be denied as not reasonable and necessary. 
 
You can find this information in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) for Wheelchair Options/Accessories 
(L33792). 
 
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.