Reclassification of K0005 Wheelchairs Effective March 1, 2013  

Did you know that in August 2012, CMS announced a reclassification of K0005 wheelchairs with an effective date of March 1, 2013?  

Ultra lightweight manual wheelchairs (code K0005 in the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System) are highly configurable manual wheelchairs for highly active full time users.  The ultra-light weight manual wheelchairs require individualized fitting and optimal adjustments for multiple features that include axle configuration, wheel camber, and seat and back angles, in addition to ongoing critical support.  These are services that are furnished by a Rehabilitative Technology Supplier (RTS); therefore, these items are considered complex rehabilitative wheelchairs subject to the requirements of section III of Appendix B of the DMEPOS Quality Standards.  

These requirements are effective for claims with dates of service on or after 03/01/2013.  Suppliers of K0005 wheelchairs should be accredited for DMEPOS product category R08 "Wheelchairs-Complex Rehabilitative Manual Wheelchairs" and have on staff an Assistive Technology Professional" (ATP).