United StatesMedicare would separate billing codes by wheelchair base material
Starting in 2028, Medicare would use different billing codes for ultralight manual wheelchairs and let suppliers bill users above Medicare's payment for certain bases.
What it does
Starting January 1, 2028, Medicare would establish at least two billing codes for ultralight manual wheelchair bases, separating titanium or carbon-fiber bases from those made with other materials.
For titanium or carbon-fiber bases, Medicare would pay its usual wheelchair amount. Suppliers could charge users the remaining difference, and Medicare could require advance notice of that cost.
Argument forSeparate billing codes could help Medicare distinguish titanium or carbon-fiber wheelchair bases from bases made with other materials.
Argument againstAllowing suppliers to charge the unpaid difference could leave users facing higher out-of-pocket costs for titanium or carbon-fiber wheelchair bases.
More detail
Medicare would establish separate billing codes based on the wheelchair base material. The codes would cover ultralight manual wheelchairs supplied through Medicare. At least one code would cover titanium or carbon-fiber bases, and at least one would cover bases made without those materials. Medicare could establish more codes if it considers them appropriate. The separate codes would apply to wheelchairs supplied on or after January 1, 2028.
Suppliers could charge users the difference between their actual price and Medicare's payment for the wheelchair. This would apply when a person buys or rents an ultralight manual wheelchair with a titanium or carbon-fiber base. Medicare would pay suppliers on the usual schedule and at the usual amount for the wheelchair. Medicare could require suppliers to warn users about possible personal costs before a purchase or rental. The payment rule would apply to purchases or rentals on or after January 1, 2028.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Oct 14Message on Senate action sent to the House.Latest
- Sep 30Senate Committee on Finance discharged by Unanimous Consent.Minor
- Sep 30Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S5299)Passed Senate
- Jul 21Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Jul 20Mr. Guthrie moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Jul 20Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4636-4637)
- Jul 20DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1703.
- Jul 20Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4636-4637)Passed House
- Jul 20Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Jul 18Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-753, Part I.
- Jul 18Committee on Ways and Means discharged.Minor
- Jul 18Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 656.
- May 21Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- May 21Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 45 - 0.
- May 13Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- May 13Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- Feb 27Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 2025
- Feb 27Introduced in House
- Feb 27Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.Introduced
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