Coverage Guidelines
Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, and Orthotics
DME Procedure Codes & Coverage Guidelines |
d) Assess the member’s ability to safely and independently use a power wheelchair and powered
SPC.
Note: If the member is unable to use a power wheelchair or power SPC and if there is a caregiver who is available,
willing, and able to provide assistance, a manual wheelchair and manual SPC is appropriate.
Go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/determinationprocess/downloads/id143c.pdf
for a flow chart developed by the
Medicare program that visually describes the clinical criteria for the evaluation and ordering of WME.
II. Wheeled Mobility Equipment Documentation Requirements
- All services must be supported by the original signed written order from a qualified licensed practitioner. In the
event an order has been telephoned or faxed to the vendor, it is the vendor’s responsibility to obtain the
signed fiscal order from the ordering practitioner within 30 calendar days. A written, faxed, or telephoned
order must be received prior to delivery of the service.
- The fiscal order must be specific to the item being requested. Generic orders such as “wheelchair” or
“wheelchair repairs” are not acceptable. The order must clearly and specifically state the type of repairs being
requested (e.g., “replace seat covering”) or the presenting problem (e.g., “joystick malfunctioning”).
- In addition to the fiscal order, the supplier must maintain the following written documentation of medical
necessity for WME/SPC in the member’s file and/or submit to the Department for review:
1. A description of, and cost quote for all the equipment and components as ordered (e.g., HCPCS code,
make, model, size, seat, and back dimensions) and how they accommodate relevant member
measurements (e.g., height, weight, chest, shoulders, thighs, legs).
2. A statement of the alternatives considered or attempted (e.g., manual versus power, single versus multiple
power option) and why these alternatives do not meet the member’s medical needs.
3. A description of the customary environment and caregiver supports (e.g., skilled nursing facility, OMRDD-
certified residence, private home, home health or waiver services); please give details of the results of trial
of equipment in this environment (e.g., fitting through doorways, access to home, transportable, ability to
safely operate, secure storage space).
4. The practitioner must document medical necessity, to the extent required by the coverage criteria for the
specific WME/SPC; how the member’s medical condition supports Medicaid reimbursement. The
documentation must be summarized and forwarded to the supplier in the form of a qualified practitioner’s
letter of medical justification, an evaluation template and/or, physician's office records, hospital records,
nursing home records, home health agency records, records from other healthcare professionals and test
reports. The practitioner must maintain appropriate and complete medical records even if a letter of
medical justification or evaluation template is provided to the supplier. Examples of medical
documentation which is applicable include but are not limited to:
History:
• Symptoms.
• Explain history of decubitus/skin breakdown, if applicable.
• How long the condition has been present.
• Clinical progression.
• Interventions that have been tried and the results.
• Past use of walker, manual wheelchair, POV, or power wheelchair and the results.