NCD Request for Reconsideration of the Medicare NCD for MAE

In September 2020, a coalition of patients, providers, researchers, and other subject matter experts submitted a formal Request for Reconsideration of the National Coverage Determination for Mobility Assistive Equipment to advance a coverage policy for power seat elevation and power standing systems under the Medicare DME benefit. While many consumer groups and industry groups were involved in this process, the Clinician Task Force provided an integral contribution by reviewing and compiling the evidence base of this request. 

The NCD Reconsideration Request consists of 63 pages and 129 citations that comprehensively inform the need to change the classification of mobility assistive equipment to include the features and/or accessories that wheelchair users need to maximize their participation and performance in their daily activities, in both their horizontal and vertical environments. Wheelchair users cannot access the vertical environment as readily as a person ambulating, due to the low static seat height of wheelchairs. The use of power seat elevation and power standing systems improve functional capacity. Furthermore, power seat elevation and power standing systems are known to impact the health of power wheelchair users, as the evidence base described in this document demonstrates.

In November 2020, CMS certified this request as complete. In August, 2022 CMS opened the public comment period for power seat elevation systems, with a preliminary decision in February 2023 and final decision following.