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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 to be 
covered: 
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. 
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. 
 
The rules contain additional criteria for a power operated vehicle (POV): 
D. The beneficiary is able to safely transfer to and from a POV, and operate the tiller steering system, and 
maintain postural stability and position while operating the POV in the home. E. The beneficiarys mental capabilities (e.g., cognition, judgment) and physical capabilities (e.g., vision) are 
sufficient for safe mobility using a POV in the home. 
F. The beneficiarys home provides adequate access between rooms, maneuvering space, and surfaces for the 
operation of the POV that is provided. 
 
The rules say that a power wheelchair is covered if: 
 
1. All of the basic coverage criteria (A-C) are met; and 
2. The beneficiary does not meet coverage criterion D, E, or F for a POV; and 
3. Either criterion J or K is met; and 
4. Criteria L, M, N, and O are met; and 
5. 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 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. 
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 power wheelchair (PWC) with Multiple Power Options (K0861) is covered if: 
1. All of the coverage criteria (1)-(5) for a PWC are met; and 
2. The beneficiary's mobility limitation is due to a neurological condition, myopathy, or congenital skeletal 
deformity; and 
3. The beneficiary meets coverage criteria for a power tilt and recline seating system and the system is being 
used on the wheelchair; OR the beneficiary uses a ventilator which is mounted on the wheelchair; and 
4. 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 
5. 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. 
You can find this information in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Power Mobility Devices (L33789). 
 
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; 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 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). 
 
Code E1028 is used for 
1. Swingaway hardware used with remote joysticks or touchpads, 
2. Swingaway or flip-down hardware for head control interfaces E2327, E2328, E2329, E2330, and 
3. Swingaway hardware for an indicator display box that is related to the multi-motor electronic connection 
codes E2310 or E2311. 
 
An expandable controller is capable of accommodating one or more of the following additional functions: 
- Other types of proportional input devices (e.g., mini-proportional or compact joysticks, touchpads, chin 
control, head control, etc.) 
- Non-proportional input devices (e.g., sip and puff, head array, etc.) 
- Operate 3 or more powered seating actuators through the drive control. 
 
An expandable controller may also be able to operate one or more of the following: 
- A separate display (i.e., for alternate control devices) 
- Other electronic devices (e.g., control of an augmentative speech device or computer through the chair's drive 
control) 
- An attendant control 
 
A harness (E2313) describes all of the wires, fuse boxes, fuses, circuits, switches, etc. that are required for the 
operation of an expandable controller. It also includes all the necessary fasteners, connectors, and mounting 
hardware. Code E2313 is separately billable in addition to an expandable controller both at initial issue and 
with complete replacement of the expandable controller. 
 
Codes E2310 and E2311 describe the electronic components that allow the beneficiary to control two or more 
of the following motors from a single interface (e.g., proportional joystick, touchpad, or non-proportional 
interface): power wheelchair drive, power tilt, power recline, power shear reduction, power leg elevation, 
power seat elevation, power standing. It includes a function selection switch which allows the beneficiary to 
select the motor that is being controlled and an indicator feature to visually show which function has been 
selected. When the wheelchair drive function has been selected, the indicator feature may also show the 
direction that has been selected (forward, reverse, left, right). This indicator feature may be in a separate 
display box or may be integrated into the wheelchair interface. Payment for the code includes an allowance for 
fixed mounting hardware for the control box and for the display box (if present). 
 
A power seat elevation feature (E2300) and power standing feature (E2301) are non-covered because they are 
not primarily medical in nature. 
 
You can find this information in the Local Coverage Article: Wheelchair Options/Accessories - Policy Article 
(A52504). 
 
A positioning seat cushion (E2606) and positioning accessory (E0953, E0955, E0956) are 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 that are due to a diagnosis code listed in the rules. 
You can find this information in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Wheelchair Seating (L33312). 
 
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.