Payment policy for power operated wheel chair and Oxygen Equipment

Payment for Power-Operated Vehicles that May Be Appropriately Used as Wheelchair



The allowed payment amount for a power-operated vehicle that may be appropriately used as wheelchair, including all medically necessary accessories, is the lowest of the:

• Actual charge for the power-operated vehicle, or

• Fee schedule amount for the power-operated vehicle.

Oxygen and Oxygen Equipment


For oxygen and oxygen equipment, contractors pay a monthly fee schedule amount per beneficiary. Unless otherwise noted below, the fee covers equipment, contents and supplies. Payment is not made for purchases of this type of equipment.

When an inpatient is not entitled to Part A, payment may not be made under Part B for DME or oxygen provided in a hospital or SNF. (See the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 15) Also, for outpatients using equipment or receiving oxygen in the hospital or SNF and not taking the equipment or oxygen system home, the fee schedule does not apply.

There are a number of billing considerations for oxygen claims. The chart in §130.6 indicates what amounts are payable under which situations.

Effective for claims on or after February 14, 2011, payment for the home use of oxygen and oxygen equipment when related to the treatment of cluster headaches is covered under a National Coverage Determination (NCD).