CMS announces complex rehab quality standards deadline

BALTIMORE, Aug. 22, 2012—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has clarified the applicability of the DMEPOS quality standards for ultra-light manual wheelchairs during an open door forum.

The agency announced that ultra-light manual wheelchairs (HCPCS K0005) are classified as complex rehabilitative technology, and, therefore, providers must be accredited for and comply with the Quality Standards in Appendix B pertaining to complex rehabilitative wheelchairs and assistive technology. These standards require providers to have a qualified Rehabilitation Technology Specialist (RTS) on staff per location. According to CMS, the reason for the clarification is that these wheelchairs are highly configurable and individualized and are already typically furnished by an RTS.

The deadline to comply with the Quality Standards requirements for complex rehab when providing ultra-light manual wheelchairs is with a date of service on or after March 1, 2013. Accreditors will be issuing information on this clarification, and CMS will post additional information at www.cms.gov.