Revised October 2019

Medicare’s Wheelchair & Scooter Benefit

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers power-operated vehicles
(scooters), walkers, and wheelchairs as durable medical equipment (DME).
Medicare helps cover DME if:
• The doctor treating your condition submits a written order stating that you
have a medical need for a wheelchair or scooter for use in your home.
• You have limited mobility and meet all of these conditions:
–– You have a health condition that causes significant difficulty moving
around in your home.
–– You’re unable to do activities of daily living (like bathing, dressing,
getting in or out of a bed or chair, or using the bathroom) even with the
help of a cane, crutch, or walker.
–– You’re able to safely operate and get on and off the wheelchair or
scooter, or have someone with you who is always available to help you
safely use the device.
–– Your doctor who is treating you for the condition that requires a
wheelchair or scooter and your supplier are both enrolled in Medicare.
–– You can use the equipment within your home (for example, it’s not too
big to fit through doorways in your home or blocked by floor surfaces
or things in its path).
You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after you pay your Part B
deductible for the year. Medicare pays the other 80%.
If you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO), contact your
plan to find out about costs and which DME suppliers you can use.
 Types of equipment
Manual wheelchair
If you can’t use a cane or walker safely, but you have enough upper body strength
or you have someone available to help, you may qualify for a manual wheelchair.
You may have to rent the most appropriate manual wheelchair first, even if you
eventually plan to buy it.

Power-operated vehicle/scooter
If you can’t use a cane or walker, or can’t operate a manual wheelchair, you may
qualify for a power-operated scooter. To qualify, you must be able to get in and out
of it safely and strong enough to sit up and safely operate the controls.
Note: If you don’t need a scooter on a long-term basis, you can rent the equipment
to lower your costs. Talk to your supplier to find out more about this option.

Power wheelchair
If you can’t use a manual wheelchair in your home, or if you don’t qualify for a
power-operated scooter because you aren’t strong enough to sit up or to work the
scooter controls safely, you may qualify for a power wheelchair.
Note: Before you get either a power wheelchair or scooter, you must have a
face-to-face exam with your doctor. The doctor will review your needs and help
you decide if you can safely operate the device. If so, the doctor will submit a
written order telling Medicare why you need the device and that you’re able to
operate it.

Prior authorization of certain equipment

You may need “prior authorization” for certain types of equipment. If so, your
durable medical equipment (DME) supplier will need to:
• Request “prior authorization” for certain types of power wheelchairs (listed on
pages 3–4)
• Send the required documents to Medicare along with the request
You can submit the request yourself if you get the required documents from your
doctor and DME supplier. Medicare will review the information to make sure that
you’re eligible and meet all requirements for the item. Under this program, your
Medicare coverage and benefits will stay the same and you shouldn’t experience
delays getting the items you need.

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Power wheelchairs that require prior authorization
These power wheelchairs require “prior authorization” before Medicare will pay for them:

Power wheelchair (sling/solid seat/back)

Model Group Type Weight capacity (up
to and including
pounds)
K0813 1 standard Sling/solid seat/back 300
K0815 1 standard Sling/solid seat/back 300
K0820 2 standard Sling/solid seat/back 300
K0822 2 standard Sling/solid seat/back 300
K0824 2 heavy duty Sling/solid seat/back 301 to 450
K0826 2 very heavy duty Sling/solid seat/back 451 to 600
K0828 2 extra heavy duty Sling/solid seat/back 601 or more
K0835 2 standard Sling/solid seat/back 300
K0837 2 heavy duty Sling/solid seat/back 301 to 450
K0839 2 very heavy duty Sling/solid seat/back 451 to 600
K0840 2 extra heavy duty Sling/solid seat/back 601 or more
K0841 2 standard Sling/solid seat/back 300
K0843 2 heavy duty Sling/solid seat/ back 301 to 450
K0848 3 standard Sling/solid seat/back 300
K0850 3 heavy duty Sling/solid seat/back 301 to 450
K0852 3 very heavy duty Sling/solid seat/back 451 to 600
K0854 3 extra heavy duty Sling/solid seat/back 601 or more
K0856 3 standard Sling/solid seat/back 300
K0858 3 heavy duty Sling/solid seat/back 301 to 450
K0860 3 very heavy duty Sling/solid seat/back 451 to 600
K0861 3 standard Sling/solid seat/back 300
K0862 3 heavy duty Sling/solid seat/back 301 to 450
K0863 3 very heavy duty Sling/solid seat/back 451 to 600
K0864 3 extra heavy duty Sling/solid seat/back 601 or more

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 Power wheelchairs that require prior authorization (continued)

Power wheelchair (captains chair)

Model Group Type Weight capacity
(up to and
including pounds)
K0814 1 standard Portable 300
K0816 2 standard Not portable 300
K0821 2 standard Portable 300
K0823 2 standard Not portable 300
K0825 2 heavy duty Not portable 301 to 600
K0827 2 very heavy duty Not portable 451 to 600
K0829 2 extra heavy duty Not portable 601 or more
K0836 2 standard Not portable 300
K0838 2 heavy duty Not portable 301 to 450
K0842 2 standard Not portable 300
K0849 3 standard Not portable 300
K0851 3 heavy duty Not portable 301 to 450
K0853 3 very heavy duty Not portable 451 to 600
K0855 3 extra heavy duty Not portable 601 or more
K0857 3 standard Not portable 300
K0859 3 heavy duty Not portable 301 to 450

For more information on power mobility devices visit Medicare.gov/coverage/wheelchairs-

scooters.

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How will I know if the prior authorization request is
approved?
Medicare will send a decision letter to your power wheelchair supplier. You
may contact your power wheelchair supplier about the decision, or call
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
Also, your power wheelchair supplier may send you a decision letter.

Why was my request denied?

Your prior authorization request may be denied if:
• Medicare finds you don’t medically require a power wheelchair.
• Medicare doesn’t get all the information needed to make a decision. If more
information is needed, your DME supplier may resubmit your authorization
request.

What do I do if I suspect fraud?

You can help Medicare stop fraud and abuse by watching for these examples of
possible Medicare fraud and taking the appropriate action:
• Record dates of doctor’s appointments and equipment you get.
• Review your “Medicare Summary Notices” (MSNs) for payment of claims for
equipment you never got or no longer have in your home.
Signs of fraud and abuse are a supplier’s offer to:
• Give you a “free” wheelchair or scooter.
• Pay you cash or waive your copayment.
• Have a doctor you don’t know order a wheelchair or scooter for you.
For more information, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE
(1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. If you want to report
possible fraud, visit Medicare.gov/forms-help-resources/help-fight-medicare-fraud/
how-report-medicare-fraud, or call 1-800-MEDICARE.

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 Notes

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Notes

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 You have the right to get Medicare information in an accessible format, like large print,
Braille, or audio. You also have the right to file a complaint if you feel you’ve been
discriminated against. Visit Medicare.gov/about-us/accessibility-nondiscrimination-
notice, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for more information. TTY users
can call 1-877-486-2048.

Paid for by the Department of Health & Human Services.

CMS Product No. 11046

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