MedicaidCoverageMedium impact
Right of Medicaid-eligible Nursing Facility Residents to Motorized Wheelchairs
Illinois Medicaid - HFS·IL · Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy·Provider Notice
Effective date
Mar 28, 2007
We identified it
Jun 21, 2026
Summary
Medicaid-eligible nursing facility residents now have the right to motorized wheelchairs when medically necessary. Nursing facilities must evaluate residents within 30 days of admission and arrange for qualified assessments, with specific procedures for custom vs. non-custom wheelchair prescriptions and prior authorization requirements.
Action Required
Immediately: Nursing facilities serving Medicaid residents must implement wheelchair evaluation procedures within 30 days of admission using the required evaluation form. Arrange assessments by qualified professionals (licensed OT/PT with 2+ years experience or 5+ hours training, or RESNA-certified practitioners). For custom motorized wheelchairs, submit prescriptions and assessments to enrolled DME suppliers for prior authorization to Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. For non-custom wheelchairs, facility must provide directly. Failure to comply results in sanctions including fines and decertification.