With speaker registration now closed, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has opened general registration for its Nov. 30 public meeting on power seat elevation coding and funding.

Attendees can join the virtual meeting by clicking on the link, then using pass code 523861. The Webinar ID number is 161 206 9418. Attendees can also dial into the meeting by calling (833) 568-8864.

The meeting, which will also discuss HCPCS coding and funding for other medical devices — including dynamic seating components and walkers — is scheduled for Thurs., Nov. 30, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time.

CMS announced earlier this month that it recommends eliminating the current E2300 seat elevation code. In its place, CMS wants to add two new codes, one for power seat elevation on Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) power wheelchairs, and one for power seat elevation on non-Group 3 power chairs.

As part of those changes, CMS would also eliminate the K0830 (Power wheelchair, Group 2 standard, seat elevator, sling/solid seat/back, patient weight capacity up to and including 300 lbs.) and K0831 (Power wheelchair, Group 2 standard, seat elevator, captain’s chair, patient weight capacity up to and including 300 lbs.) codes.

Funding will also be discussed at the meeting, with CMS already stating it disagrees with CRT suggestions that allowables for seat elevation could be compared to existing allowables for tilt systems on CRT power chairs.

To create preliminary allowables for CRT seat elevation, CMS said it compiled a list of 20 current CRT power chairs that accommodate seat elevation.

“The average price across the seat elevation systems we found would be classified in this code was $3,450.60,” CMS said. “The annual deflation factors are specified in program instructions, and the deflated amounts are then increased by the update factors specified in section 1834(a)(14) of the Act for DME. Based on these adjustments, the purchase price would be approximately $2,261.89.

“Under the capped rental rules for complex rehabilitative power wheelchairs, the rental price would be approximately $339.28 for months 1-3, and $135.71 for months 4-13 for a total of $2,374.94 for 13 months of continuous use.”

CMS did not comment on possible allowables for non-CRT seat elevation, saying, “As an extensive review of evidence to determine the coverage criteria for power seat elevation equipment for non-complex rehabilitative power wheelchairs is not complete, we are unable to determine the appropriate universe of seat elevation equipment that may be covered as a Medicare benefit under this code and, for this reason, we are unable to develop an appropriate payment amount at this time.”

In May, CMS said it would start covering power seat elevation for Medicare beneficiaries.