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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 a lever activated drive (E0988) is an alternative drive mechanism for propulsion of a manual wheelchair. It includes a user-powered lever-arm mechanism attached to one or both wheel hub(s). The lever activates adjustable-ratio gears and has the capability to shift between forward, reverse and braking. You can find this rule in the Local Coverage Article (LCA) - Wheelchair Options/Accessories - Policy Article (A52504) - 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.  

The rules say that Medicare will pay for durable medical equipment (DME) that is reasonable and necessary for treatment of an illness or injury, or to improve the functioning of a malformed body part. Medicare considers equipment to be reasonable and necessary if the equipment does not serve the same purpose as other equipment already available to an enrollee. You can find these rules in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Internet Only Manual, Publication 100-02, Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 15, Section 110.1(C).  

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.