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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 all of the following basic criteria (A-C) must be met for a power mobility device 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: 
- 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. 
 
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 criteria 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 power 
wheelchair (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 
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. 
 
A Group 3 PWC with Single Power Option (such as code K0856) 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; and 
C. Criterion 1 or 2 is met; and 
D. 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 (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 Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive 
Technology Society of North America (RESNA)-certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) who 
specializes in wheelchairs and who has direct, in-person involvement in the wheelchair selection for the 
beneficiary. 
 
If the PWC base is not covered, all related accessories will also be denied.  
 
You can find these rules 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.