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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 (PWC) with Single Power Option (K0856) is covered if: 
A. The Group 3 criteria (A) and (B) are met; and 
B. The Group 2 Single Power Option (criteria A and B) are met. 
A Group 3 PWC with no power options 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; 
A Group 2 Single Power Option PWC is covered if all of the coverage criteria (a)-(e) for a PWC are met and if: 
A. Criterion 1 or 2 is met; and 
B. Criteria 3 and 4 are met. 
1. The beneficiary requires a drive control interface other than a hand or chin-operated standard 
proportional joystick. 
2. The beneficiary meets coverage criteria for a power tilt or a power recline seating system and 
the system is being used on the wheelchair. 
3. 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. 
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. 
 A power wheelchair is covered if: 
a. All of the basic coverage criteria (A-C) are met; and 
b. The beneficiary does not meet coverage criterion D, E, or F for a power operated vehicle (POV); and 
c. Either criterion J or K is met; and 
d. Criteria L, M, N, and O are met; and 
e. Any coverage criteria pertaining to the specific wheelchair type (see below) are met. 
J. The beneficiary has the mental and physical capabilities to safely operate the power wheelchair that is 
provided; or 
K. If the beneficiary is unable to safely operate the power wheelchair, the beneficiary has a caregiver who 
is unable to adequately propel an optimally configured manual wheelchair, but is available, willing, and 
able to safely operate the power wheelchair that is provided; and 
L. The beneficiarys weight is less than or equal to the weight capacity of the power wheelchair that is 
provided and greater than or equal to 95% of the weight capacity of the next lower weight class PWC. 
M. The beneficiarys home provides adequate access between rooms, maneuvering space, and surfaces for 
the operation of the power wheelchair that is provided. 
N. Use of a power wheelchair will significantly improve the beneficiarys ability to participate in mobility 
related activities of daily living (MRADLs) and the beneficiary will use it in the home. For beneficiaries 
with severe cognitive and/or physical impairments, participation in MRADLs may require the 
assistance of a caregiver. 
O. The beneficiary has not expressed an unwillingness to use a power wheelchair in the home. 
All of the following basic criteria (A-C) must be met for a power mobility device (K0856) to be covered.  
Additional coverage criteria for specific devices are listed below. 
A. The beneficiary has a mobility limitation that significantly impairs his/her ability to participate in one or 
more MRADLs such as toileting, feeding, dressing, grooming, and bathing in customary locations in 
the home. A mobility limitation is one that: 
-Prevents the beneficiary from accomplishing an MRADL entirely, or 
-Places the beneficiary at reasonably determined heightened risk of morbidity or mortality secondary to 
the attempts to perform an MRADL; or 
-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. 
-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. -An optimally-configured manual wheelchair is one with an appropriate wheelbase, device 
weight, seating options, and other appropriate nonpowered accessories. 
If the PWC base is not covered, then related accessories will be denied. 
 
You can find this information in Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Power Mobility Devices (L33789). 
 
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.