RAC Approved to Audit Hospital Beds and Manual Wheelchairs

Published in Complex Rehab on February 07, 2020

The Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) has been approved to audit hospital beds and manual wheelchairs.   

In this article, we focus on the manual wheelchairs K0001 and K0003 with DOS no more than 3 years ago through Dec. 31, 2019. Here is the low down on what you need to be prepared for an audit: 

  • Medical necessity for K0001 and K0003. Documentation must contain information as to why the patient can't use a least-costly alternative to the item, provided along with objective measurements (manual muscle test, ROM, pain scale, saturation, etc.) to support the reason stated. This must be in either the face to face exam OR the LCMP wheelchair evaluation AND 
  • Medical necessity for ALL accessories separately billed on the claim in either the face to face exam OR the LCMP wheelchair evaluation AND 
  • A face to face exam with the ordering practitioner that contains either the condition requiring the manual chair or noting the patient requires a manual chair. This must be have occurred within 6 months preceding the date of the order AND 
  • An initial order and a detailed written order (DWO) prior to the delivery date 
  • A home assessment documented prior to OR on the date of delivery 
  • A delivery ticket  

These are the main areas of focus, but it is not an all-inclusive list.  

If you have any questions regarding manual chair audits, please contact me at dan.fedor@vgm.com or 570-499-8459, and for hospital bed audits, please contact Ronda Buhrmester at ronda.buhrmester@vgm.com. 

From Our Experts

VGM Heartland Conference 2026 | 25 Years of Community thumbnail VGM Heartland Conference 2026 | 25 Years of Community Relive Heartland Conference 2026 as the HME, CRT, and home access communities celebrated 25 years of connection, education, community, and inspiration. CRT Repair Documentation & Prior Authorization Challenges thumbnail CRT Repair Documentation & Prior Authorization Challenges U.S. Rehab training programs and industry experts help providers improve CRT repair documentation, billing, & prior authorization. Leveling the Playing Field for CRT, O&P, Home Access Providers thumbnail Leveling the Playing Field for CRT, O&P, Home Access Providers VGM experts support CRT, O&P, and home access providers with guidance, workforce solutions, and strategies to reduce friction and scale. U.S. Rehab, Permobil Renew Partnership and Expand CRT Access thumbnail U.S. Rehab, Permobil Renew Partnership and Expand CRT Access U.S. Rehab and Permobil renew partnership, expanding CRT solutions, product access, and clinical outcomes for providers and mobility users. AI Workflow Automation for Healthcare | Notable Systems thumbnail AI Workflow Automation for Healthcare | Notable Systems Discover how Notable Systems helps home healthcare providers automate billing and healthcare documents, reduce claim denials, and accelerate reimbursements with AI. Improving ATP Workflow in Complex Rehab Technology thumbnail Improving ATP Workflow in Complex Rehab Technology Learn how the Permobil Store helps ATPs reduce rework, improve configuration accuracy, and streamline evaluation-to-delivery timelines in complex rehab. Optimizing Your Business for the Future thumbnail Optimizing Your Business for the Future Learn how home-based care providers can optimize operations, technology, and compliance with VGM's latest business playbook. EZ-ACCESS Vendor Partner Spotlight | Breaking Down Barriers thumbnail EZ-ACCESS Vendor Partner Spotlight | Breaking Down Barriers Discover how EZ-ACCESS, a longtime VGM vendor partner for nearly 40 years, is helping people age in place and regain mobility through access solutions.