CMS Changes Power Mobility Codes, Testing Requirements

BALTIMORE–In February, CMS unveiled a plan to implement 49 new
power wheelchair and scooter codes–scheduled to take effect Jan.
1–that break down the broad K0011 code to specific configurations.
But last week, the agency upped the number, announcing that the
codes and testing standards need even more revisions to
differentiate among some types of equipment. The first-of-the-year
implementation date, however, remains.

“For example, the testing requirements established for the
‘standard use’ power wheelchair created too high a bar for some
types of chairs and did not allow us to make a [meaningful]
distinction (based on levels of durability and performance) between
the numerous categories,” a CMS statement noted.

Originally set for Sept. 1, the product testing deadline has
been extended to Nov. 15 to allow power mobility manufacturers more
time to conduct tests under the revised standards. If products have
already been tested and the results have been submitted to the
statistical analysis durable medical equipment regional carrier,
“every effort” will be made to determine the proper code placement,
according to CMS. But for products currently undergoing testing, or
for those that are untested, manufacturers must test according to
the new guidelines.

Other changes to the code sets and testing requirements
announced on Wednesday by CMS and the SADMERC include:

• Adding a new “standard use” category for power mobility
  devices.
• Revising the characteristics of the previous categories of
  power mobility devices.
• Revising the testing requirements for all categories of power
  mobility devices to be consistent with current Rehabilitation
  Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America
  (RESNA) standards.
• Establishing a reliable testing strategy that will allow CMS
  and the SADMERC to consistently assign power wheelchairs to
  specific codes.
• Revising testing requirements so that CMS and the SADMERC are
  able to differentiate among the various levels of equipment in
  terms of durability and level of performance.

“We were very discouraged by the comprehensive nature of these
changes. Major manufacturers submitted testing by September 1 and
here we are on September 14 and we get a totally new set of power
mobility codes that change the testing requirements. On top of
that, they added new code categories,” said Pride Mobility’s Seth
Johnson.

For more information on code verification requests and testing
requirements, visit www.palmettogba.com/sadmerc.
From the SADMERC Web site, select “coding bulletin” under topics on
the right hand side.