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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.
All of the following basic criteria (A-C) must be met for a power mobility device (K0861) or a push-rim activated power assist device (E0986) 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 mobility-related activities of daily living (MRADLs) such as toileting, feeding, dressing, grooming, and bathing in customary locations in the home. A mobility limitation is one that:
o Prevents the beneficiary from accomplishing an MRADL entirely, or
o Places the beneficiary at reasonably determined heightened risk of morbidity or mortality secondary to the attempts to perform an MRADL; or
o Prevents the beneficiary from completing an MRADL within a reasonable time frame.
B. The beneficiary's 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.
o 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.
o An optimally-configured manual wheelchair is one with an appropriate wheelbase, device weight, seating options, and other appropriate nonpowered accessories.
You can find this rule in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Power Mobility Devices (L33789).
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 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Local Coverage Article: Wheelchair Options/Accessories - Policy Article (A52504).
The rules say that a power seating system - tilt only, recline only, or combination tilt and recline - with or without power elevating leg rests 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 beneficiary's 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. If these criteria are not met, the power seating component(s) will be denied as not reasonable and necessary.
You can find this rule in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Internet Only Manual, Local Coverage Determination (LCD): 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.