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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 power tilt and/or recline seating systems (E1002, E1003, E1004, E1005, E1006, E1007, 
E1008, E1009, E1010, E1012) 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 information in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Wheelchair Options/Accessories 
(L33792). 
 
V. A Group 3 PWC with Single Power Option (K0856-K0860) or with Multiple Power Options (K0861-
K0864) is covered if: 
A. The Group 3 criteria IV(A) and IV(B) are met; and 
B. The Group 2 Single Power Option (criteria II[A] and II[B]) or Multiple Power Options (criteria III[A] and 
III[B]) (respectively) are met. 
 
If the PWC base is not covered, then related accessories will be denied. 
 
IV. A Group 3 PWC with no power options (K0848-K0855) 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; 
C. The beneficiary has had a specialty evaluation that was performed by a licensed/certified medical 
professional, such as a PT or 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 (see 
Documentation Requirements section). The PT, OT, or practitioner may have no financial relationship with the 
supplier; and 
D. 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 
 
II. A Group 2 Single Power Option PWC (K0835, K0836, K0837, K0838, K0839, K0840) 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 (examples include but are not limited to head control, sip and puff, switch control). 
2. The beneficiary meets coverage criteria for a power tilt or a power recline seating system (see Wheelchair 
Options and Accessories policy for coverage criteria) 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 (see Documentation Requirements section). 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. 
 
You can find this information in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) Power Mobility Devices (L33789) 
 
Expandable Controller - An electronic system that is capable of accommodating one or more of the following 
additional functions: 
a. Proportional input devices (e.g., mini, compact, or short throw joysticks, touchpads, chin control, head 
control, etc.) other than a standard proportional joystick. 
b. Non-proportional input devices (e.g., sip and puff, head array, etc.) 
c. 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: 
d. A separate display (i.e., for alternate control devices) 
e. Other electronic devices (e.g., control of an augmentative speech device or computer through the chairs 
drive control) 
 f. An attendant control 
  
A power tilt seating system (E1002) includes: a solid seat platform and a solid back; any frame width and 
depth; detachable or flip-up fixed height or adjustable height armrests; fixed or swingaway detachable legrests; 
fixed or flip-up footplates; a motor and related electronics with or without variable speed programmability; a 
switch control which is independent of the power wheelchair drive control interface. 
You can find this information in the Local Coverage Article: Wheelchair Options/Accessories - Policy Article 
(A52504). 
 
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.