Medicare Coverage Criteria for Motorized Wheelchairs

A power wheelchair is covered by Medicare when all of the following criteria are met:

• The patient's condition is such that without the use of a wheelchair the patient would otherwise be bed or chair confined;
• And, the patient's condition is such that a wheelchair is medically necessary and the patient is unable to operate a wheelchair manually;
• And, the patient is capable of safely operating the controls for the power wheelchair.

A patient who requires a power wheelchair is usually nonambulatory and has severe weakness of the upper extremities due to a neurologic, muscular or cardiopulmonary disease or condition.