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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 person's 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 power mobility devices require a Standard Written Order (SWO) prior to delivery. This order may also list all associated options and accessories that are billed separately. The treating practitioner who completes the face-to-face requirements must be the same practitioner who writes the order/prescription for the power mobility device. The face-to-face encounter must be conducted within six (6) months prior to the order date. You can find this rule in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) - Power Mobility Devices (L33789) - Effective January 1, 2020. The rules say that one example (not all-inclusive) of a covered indication for swingaway, retractable, or removable hardware (E1028) would be to move the component out of the way so that a beneficiary can perform a slide transfer to a chair or bed. You can find this rule in Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Wheelchair Options/Accessories (L33792) - 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 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.
You can find this rule in Local Coverage Determination (LCD):Wheelchair Options/Accessories (L33792) -
Effective January 1, 2020.
The rules say that a combination skin protection and positioning seat cushion (E2607) is covered for a
beneficiary who meets the criteria for both a skin protection seat cushion and a positioning seat cushion. You
can find this rule in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) - Wheelchair Seating (L33312) - Effective
January 1, 2020.
The rules say that positioning accessory (E0955) is covered for a beneficiary who meets both of the following
criteria:
1. The beneficiary has a manual wheelchair or a power wheelchair with a sling/solid seat/back and the
beneficiary meets Medicare coverage criteria for it; and
2. The beneficiary has any significant postural asymmetries
You can find this rule in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) - Wheelchair Seating (L33312) - Effective
January 1, 2020.
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.