Covered by Medicare if the patient would be confined to bed or chair without the use of a wheelchair. Special sizes (e.g., narrow, extra-wide, lightweight) are covered if the supplier can determine from the information on file or other sources, that a special size is necessary to accommodate the physical size of the patient or any size restrictions imposed by the patient's home (i.e., narrow doorways).

Hemi wheelchairs are covered if the patient is confined to bed or chair and medical documentation establishes that the patient is unable to use a standard wheelchair because the patient requires a lower seat height due to short stature or to enable a patient to place his/her feet on the ground for propulsion.

Lightweight wheelchairs are covered when a patient cannot propel himself or herself in a standard wheelchair and the patient is actually able to propel in a lightweight chair.

High strength lightweight wheelchairs are covered when the patient needs the wheelchair while engaging in frequent activities that cannot be performed in a less expensive wheelchair or the patient requires a seat width, depth or eight that cannot be accommodated in a standard, lightweight or hemi-wheelchair and spends at least two hours per day in the wheelchair. This type of wheelchair would rarely be medically necessary if the expected duration of need is less than three months.

Heavy duty wheelchairs are covered for patients weighing more than 250 lbs. or having severe spacticity.

Extra heavy duty wheelchairs are covered for patients weighing more than 300 lbs.

Custom manual wheelchairs are covered for patients requiring a uniquely constructed wheelchair. The wheelchair is covered only if the feature needed is not available in an already manufactured wheelchair or component to a wheelchair. There has to be customization to the wheelchair frame to be considered customized.

Accessories:

Check with a MedOne Healthcare customer service representative on all wheelchair accessories and reimbursement.