VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO
Full Menu Search

Call To Action - Access to Power Seat Elevation on Standard PWCs Threatened

Published in Government Relations on April 02, 2026

As reported by NCART: 

Do you use, recommend or provide power seat elevation for individuals with any of the diagnoses below? If so, and you answer YES to any of the questions below, it is important for Medicare to hear your story in writing by midnight on Saturday, April 4 at PMDRecon@noridian.com.  

Medicare may cover a power seat elevation system, based on a clinical evaluation, for individuals with chronic medical conditions such as, but not limited to: 

  • Amputations 
  • Cancer 
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 
  • Congestive Heart Failure 
  • Coronary Artery Disease 
  • Degenerative Disk Disease 
  • Diabetes Mellitus 
  • Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome 
  • Fibromyalgia  
  • Hypertension
  • Lymphedema
  • Myositis
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Osteoporosis
  • Peripheral Vascular Disease
  • (Poly)neuropathy
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Spinal Stenosis 

on a Medicare-covered power wheelchair when it is deemed medically necessary to assist with transfers in and out of the chair and reach higher surfaces in the home and participate in daily activities and complete daily tasks.  

The Issue:  

On February 19, Medicare issued a proposed change that would completely eliminate access to this empowering technology for beneficiaries with chronic medical conditions (such as those above) if this change is implemented.  

The Questions: 

  1. Do you (does your client) currently have a power wheelchair (PWC) with a seat elevation system? 
  2. Do you (does your client) have difficulty, or need assistance to transfer from a power wheelchair to a surface (bed, toilet, shower chair, car/van seat, etc.) that is higher than the power wheelchair seat? 
  3. Do you (does your client) have difficulty, or need assistance to reach high enough to access one or more of the following areas in the home? (If yes, check all that apply) 
    1. Dresser drawers: clothes rod; washer and/or dryer.  
    2. Medicine cabinet; bathroom sink/faucet; mirror; shower head/faucet. 
    3. Freezer/refrigerator; oven/stove (including light/exhaust fan switches); coffee pot; microwave; cupboard/shelves; counter; sink/faucet; disposal switch, etc. 
    4. Light switches; fire alarm; wall phone; speaker; door eye hole/viewer; doorbell; elevator buttons. 
    5. Other 

If yes, tell YOUR story, communicate YOUR concern, and offer the recommended solution to address the problem!  

What CAN you do with a power seat elevation system that you CAN NOT or WOULD NOT be able to do without it?  

The ASK/Recommended Solution:  

We are asking Medicare to continue allowing access to power seat elevation systems used by Medicare beneficiaries with chronic medical conditions who have a medical need for a power wheelchair and need access to the vertical environment to transfer, reach, and perform or participate in activities of daily living by establishing dedicated coverage criteria and prior authorization for this enabling technology.  

Have YOUR Voice Heard:  

Submit written comments by 11:59 p.m. on April 4, 2026, via email to PMDRecon@noridian.com 

Get Connected

Stay up-to-date on the latest resources and news provided by VGM & Associates.

Sign Up for Email

From Our Experts

State Medicaid Work Requirements: The Impact on Medicaid beneficiaries and their DME Suppliers thumbnail State Medicaid Work Requirements: The Impact on Medicaid beneficiaries and their DME Suppliers Pursuant to the work and community engagement requirements included in H.R.1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued an interim final rule mandating a framework for Medicaid departments to follow when evaluating Medicaid beneficiary eligibility. Beginning no later than January 1, 2027, states must require certain adult Medicaid enrollees to demonstrate at least 80 hours per month of qualifying activity, which may include employment, education, or community... North Carolina Medicaid Rate Floor Extended Through 2029 thumbnail North Carolina Medicaid Rate Floor Extended Through 2029 Earlier this year, it was announced that the North Carolina General Assembly has approved the state budget, securing an additional full two-year extension of the Medicaid fee schedule floor. This protection will now remain in effect until June 30, 2029, guaranteeing that reimbursement rates will continue to be set at 100% of the lesser of the supplier's usual and customary rate or the maximum allowable Medicaid fee-for-service rate. Healthcare Coalition Urges Congress to Advance Supplemental Oxygen Reform thumbnail Healthcare Coalition Urges Congress to Advance Supplemental Oxygen Reform Washington, D.C. — A broad coalition of suppliers, manufacturers, clinicians, and patient advocates is calling on Congress to advance the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act (H.R. 2902 / S. 1406) to protect patient access to life-sustaining oxygen therapy. Summer Advocacy Campaign-Make Your Voice Heard thumbnail Summer Advocacy Campaign-Make Your Voice Heard Summer is the perfect time to connect with your legislators while they are back in their home states and districts. Whether you're building a new relationship or strengthening an existing one, meeting with elected officials is one of the most effective ways to advance policies that protect patient access to home medical equipment and services. Wrapping Up a Successful VGM Heartland Conference & State Leader Summit thumbnail Wrapping Up a Successful VGM Heartland Conference & State Leader Summit One of our busiest and without a doubt, one of our favorite weeks of the year is the VGM Heartland Conference. This year kicked off with a special opportunity to bring together DME state association leaders from across the country for a dedicated pre-conference State Leader Summit. The focus was simple but impactful: collaboration, idea sharing, and real conversations about the challenges and opportunities facing our industry today. CMS Announces Phase 1: Bid Preparation for Round 2028 Competitive Bidding Program thumbnail CMS Announces Phase 1: Bid Preparation for Round 2028 Competitive Bidding Program Be sure to review all materials if you are considering a bid submission for Round 2028. CRT Bill H.R. 1703 Advances Through Full Energy & Commerce Committee thumbnail CRT Bill H.R. 1703 Advances Through Full Energy & Commerce Committee Earlier this week, we shared that H.R. 1703 advanced through the House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee. We are pleased to report that the bill has continued to gain momentum and has now successfully passed out of the full Energy & Commerce Committee unanimously following today's markup. Important Update: Prior Auth Exemption Process – Deadline Extended to May 26, 2026 thumbnail Important Update: Prior Auth Exemption Process – Deadline Extended to May 26, 2026 CMS has just announced that the deadline to opt out of the prior authorization exemption and continue submitting prior authorization requests has been extended to Tuesday, May 26. This extension only applies to suppliers that received a letter from the DME MACs in early March regarding their prior authorization exemption status.

Give your business an advantage over the competition.

Become a Member