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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 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: 
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 criterion D, E, or F for a 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 
 
AX. 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 PWC  i.e., a 
Heavy Duty PWC is covered for a beneficiary weighing 285  450 pounds; a Very Heavy Duty PWC is 
covered for a beneficiary weighing 428  600 pounds; an Extra Heavy Duty PWC is covered for a beneficiary 
weighing 570 pounds or more. 
 
ALL. 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. 
If a PWC will be used inside the home and if coverage criteria (a)-(e) are not met, it will be denied as not 
reasonable and necessary. 
 
A Group 3 PWC with Single Power Option (K0856, K0857, K0858, K0859, K0860) or with Multiple Power 
Options (K0861, K0862, K0863, 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. 
 
A Group 3 PWC with no power options (K0848, K0849, K0850, K0851, K0852, K0853, K0854, 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 
 
A Group 2 Multiple Power Option PWC (K0841, K0842, K0843) 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 meets coverage criteria for a power tilt and recline seating system (see Wheelchair Options 
and Accessories policy) and the system is being used on the wheelchair. 
2. The beneficiary uses a ventilator which is mounted on the wheelchair. 
3. 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. 
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. 
 
If a Group 2 Multiple Power Option PWC is provided and if criterion III(A) or III(B) is not met, it will be 
denied as not reasonable and necessary. If the PWC base is not covered, then related accessories will be denied. 
You can find this information 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.