LIGHTWEIGHT WHEELCHAIR

A manual wheelchair for use inside the home is covered if:

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Criteria A, B, C, D, and E are met; and

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Criterion F or G is met.

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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:

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• 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

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• Prevents the beneficiary from completing an MRADL within a reasonable time frame.

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B.  The beneficiary’s mobility limitation cannot be sufficiently resolved by the use of an appropriately fitted cane or walker.

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C.  The beneficiary’s home provides adequate access between rooms, maneuvering space, and surfaces for use of the manual wheelchair that is provided.

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D.  Use of a manual wheelchair will significantly improve the beneficiary’s ability to participate in MRADLs and the beneficiary will use it on a regular basis in the home.

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E.  The beneficiary has not expressed an unwillingness to use the manual wheelchair that is provided in the home.

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F.  The beneficiary has sufficient upper extremity function and other physical and mental capabilities needed to safely self-propel the manual wheelchair that is provided in the home 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.

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G.  The beneficiary has a caregiver who is available, willing, and able to provide assistance with the wheelchair.

LIGHTWEIGHT WHEELCHAIR COVERAGE: 

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High Strength Lightweight or Ultra Lightweight Wheelchair

lightweight wheelchair is covered when a beneficiary meets both criteria (1) and (2):

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1. Cannot self-propel in a standard wheelchair in the home; and

2. The beneficiary can and does self-propel in a lightweight wheelchair.

A high strength lightweight wheelchair (K0004) is covered when a beneficiary meets the criteria in (1) or (2):

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1. The beneficiary self-propels the wheelchair while engaging in frequent activities in the home that cannot be performed in a standard or lightweight wheelchair.​

2. The beneficiary requires a seat width, depth, or height that cannot be accommodated in a standard, lightweight or hemi-wheelchair, and spends at least two hours per day in the wheelchair.

Note: A high strength lightweight wheelchair is rarely reasonable and necessary if the expected duration of need is less than three months (e.g., post-operative recovery).

An ultra lightweight manual wheelchair is covered for a beneficiary if criteria (1) or (2) is met and (3) and (4) are met:

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1. The beneficiary must be a full-time manual wheelchair user.

2. The beneficiary must require individualized fitting and adjustments for one or more features such as, but not limited to, axle configuration, wheel camber, or seat and back angles, and which cannot be accommodated by a K0001 through K0004 manual wheelchair.

3. The beneficiary must have a specialty evaluation that was performed by a licensed/certified medical professional (LCMP), such as a PT or OT, or physician 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 LCMP may have no financial relationship with the supplier.​

4. The wheelchair is provided by a Rehabilitative Technology Supplier (RTS) 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 patient.