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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 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). 
 
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 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 replacement refers to the provision of an identical or nearly identical item. Equipment which 
the beneficiary owns or is a capped rental item may be replaced in cases of loss or irreparable damage. 
Irreparable damage refers to a specific accident or to a natural disaster (e.g., fire, flood).  A physician's order 
and/or new Certificate of Medical Necessity (CMN), when required, is needed to reaffirm the medical necessity 
of the item. Irreparable wear refers to deterioration sustained from day-to-day usage over time and a specific 
event cannot be identified.  Replacement of equipment due to irreparable wear takes into consideration the 
reasonable useful lifetime of the equipment. You can find this rule in the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, 
Chapter 15, Section 100.2. 
 
The rules say that the reasonable useful lifetime of durable medical equipment is determined through program 
instructions. In the absence of program instructions, A/B MACs may determine the reasonable useful lifetime 
of equipment, but in no case can it be less than five years. You can find this rule in the Medicare Benefit Policy 
Manual, Chapter 15, Section 100.2. 
 
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.