Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Center

New: Coverage of Lymphedema Compression Treatment Items

Starting January 1, 2024. Medicare will pay for lymphedema compression treatment items, like compression garments and bandaging systems. For more information on coverage, eligibility, DMEPOS supplier responsibilities, and billing, visit Lymphedema Compression Treatment Items.

All Medicare Round 2021 Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, & Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program (CBP) Contracts for Off-the-Shelf (OTS) back braces and OTS knee braces expire on December 31, 2023. Starting January 1, 2024, there will be a temporary gap in the DMEPOS CBP.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services plans to conduct bidding for the next round of the DMEPOS CBP after going through notice and comment rulemaking to further strengthen the DMEPOS CBP.

For additional information on the gap period, please see the Temporary Gap Period (PDF) fact sheet and continue to monitor the CMS.gov and Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) websites for updates.

Coverage, Coding and Payment for Power Seat Elevation Equipment on Power Wheelchairs

CMS published a final Benefit Category Determination and National Coverage Determination (BCD NCD) for Seat Elevation Equipment (Power Operated) on Power Wheelchairs on May 16, 2023. This determination finds that power seat elevation equipment on Medicare-covered power wheelchairs falls within the benefit category for durable medical equipment (DME). It also provides for national coverage of power seat elevation equipment on Medicare-covered complex rehabilitative power-driven wheelchairs, as defined in 42 CFR 414.202, under the criteria specified in the NCD. In addition, the Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractor (DME MAC) has discretion to determine reasonable and necessary coverage of power seat elevation equipment for individuals who use Medicare-covered power wheelchairs other than complex rehabilitative power-driven wheelchairs. The final decision memorandum is available here: https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/ncacal-decision-memo.aspx?proposed=N&ncaid=309

To submit claims to the DME MACs for power seat elevation equipment beginning May 16, 2023, outside of the exceptions noted below, suppliers must use Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code E2300 (Wheelchair accessory, power seat elevation system, any type). Additionally, HCPCS codes K0830 (Power Wheelchair, Group 2 Standard, Seat Elevator, Sling/Solid Seat/Back, Patient Weight Capacity Up to and Including 300 Pounds) and K0831 (Power Wheelchair, Group 2 Standard, Seat Elevator, Captains Chair, Patient Weight Capacity Up To and Including 300 Pounds) must be used to submit claims for individuals with Medicare using seat elevation on Group 2 power wheelchairs that are not complex rehabilitative power-driven wheelchairs. Claims submitted using HCPCS code E2300 for power seat elevation equipment on wheelchairs other than Group 5 and complex rehabilitative power-driven wheelchairs will be denied.

Effective for claims with dates of service on or after May 16, 2023, interim local fee schedule amounts for power seat elevation equipment will be established by the DME MACs for use in paying any allowed claims for power wheelchairs with power seat elevation. HCPCS coding and national fee schedule amounts for power wheelchairs with power seat elevation will be addressed as part of an upcoming HCPCS public meeting, likely later this fall. Additional details on the timing and agenda of the public meetings that will include power seat elevation coding and payment will be provided in the future at https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coding/MedHCPCSGenInfo. 

See previous Spotlight messages (PDF).