The U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee has passed an amended version of H.R. 5371, also known as the “Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2023” bill.

The bill, passed by the committee on Dec. 6, would provide Medicare beneficiaries the option of paying out of pocket to upgrade to a titanium or carbon fiber frame for their ultralightweight wheelchairs.

The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) reported that the amended bill now “instructs CMS [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services] to establish new HCPCS codes for ultralight manual wheelchairs, including a separate code for ones with titanium or carbon fiber.”

AAHomecare’s statement added, “If the legislation ultimately is passed into law, this change to establish new codes should have the effect of opening up other payers other than traditional Medicare to cover these products.”

The amended section of the bill reads, “With respect to ultralightweight manual wheelchairs payable under this subsection furnished on or after Jan. 1, 2025, the Secretary shall establish two or more HCPCS codes, as determined appropriate by the Secretary, for the base of such a wheelchair depending on the construction material used in such base (with one such code that is used to identify such a base with titanium or carbon fiber materials and one code for such a base without such materials).”

The current K0005 ultralightweight wheelchair code does not mention base materials, and CMS has contended that the K0005 code and its reimbursement adequately cover any frame base material currently on the market.

In announcing the bill’s progress, AAHomecare said it “has been working with mobility stakeholders to support this legislation that will increase patient access to lightweight wheelchairs. Lead sponsor Rep. John Joyce (R-Pa.) and Energy & Commerce leaders Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) also deserve thanks for successfully moving this bill forward.”