A policy change from the Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DME MACs) will make it easier for a Medicare beneficiary to obtain a replacement wheelchair when the manufacturer of the wheelchair has gone out of business and there are no replacement parts — from either the original manufacturer or from aftermarket manufacturers — to restore the wheelchair to working order.
In a June 13 bulletin, the DME MACs indicated that starting with dates of service on or after July 8, 2024, Medicare “may consider the wheelchair equipment as lost so the beneficiary can get new equipment. Suppliers should follow current instructions for replacement when equipment is lost, stolen or irreparably damaged.”
In explaining the need for a policy change, the DME MACs’ announcement said, “The beneficiary may no longer have wheelchair mobility when the wheelchair stops working due to the need for repairs that can no longer be made.”
The updated policy will apply when no replacement parts are available to make repairs because the manufacturer has gone out of business. “This does not apply to situations where a manufacturer stops manufacturing or no longer supports a wheelchair product line, but repair parts to make the manufacturer’s equipment operable for the reasonable useful lifetime of the equipment remain available,” the DME MACs’ statement said. “This replacement scenario applies when there are no repair parts to make the manufacturer’s equipment operable.”
In a June 18 response, the American Association for Homecare said, “Under the current policy, if a wheelchair manufacturer ceased operations and replacement parts became unavailable, beneficiaries faced challenges obtaining a replacement chair. This update allows Medicare to treat such wheelchairs as ‘lost’ if no aftermarket parts exist. This means beneficiaries can follow existing procedures for obtaining replacement equipment, similar to situations where a wheelchair is lost, stolen, or damaged beyond repair.
“This change offers a clear solution for beneficiaries who rely on wheelchairs from manufacturers that are no longer in business.”
