Complex Power Wheelchairs
Custom seating, advanced drive controls, and expert fitting for patients with serious mobility conditions.
Standard vs. CRT Power Wheelchairs
Standard power wheelchairs (Medicare Group 1 and Group 2) are designed for patients who can sit upright without support but lack the strength to walk. They feature basic "captain's chair" seating with limited adjustability.
Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) power wheelchairs (Group 3 and Group 4) are prescriptive, individually configured devices designed for patients with permanent or progressive neurological or neuromuscular conditions. They feature advanced power seating systems including power tilt, power recline, power leg elevation, and specialized drive controls such as head arrays, sip-and-puff, and eye gaze technology.
Why CRT Requires a Specialist
CRT equipment must be evaluated, configured, and fitted to meet the specific medical, functional, and postural needs of the individual patient. A standard wheelchair cannot be substituted for CRT because the clinical complexity of the patient's condition requires a custom solution.
Qualifying Diagnoses
Medicare may cover a Complex Power Wheelchair with tilt and/or recline for patients with the following diagnoses, among others:
- Stroke with hemiplegia
- Spinal cord injury
- ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease)
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson's disease
- Muscular dystrophy
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Guillain-Barré syndrome
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Degenerative disc disease post-spinal fusion
The Evaluation Process
Getting a custom power wheelchair requires a thorough team approach:
Face-to-Face Visit
A physician visit documenting medical necessity (must occur within 6 months of the wheelchair evaluation).
Clinical Evaluation
A seating and mobility evaluation by a physical or occupational therapist.
ATP Assessment
An Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) assessment and equipment selection.
Submission
Submission of documentation to Medicare or insurance by the DME supplier.
What Does It Cost?
After the Part B deductible, the patient pays 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. Prior authorization is required for Group 3 CRT chairs; MES Mobility handles the entire prior authorization process for you.
