Medicare would split wheelchair payments by frame material starting 2026

What does this do?

HR 1703 requires Medicare Part B to create separate billing codes for ultralightweight manual wheelchairs based on whether the frame is made of titanium or carbon fiber versus other materials, beginning January 1, 2026. Currently all ultralightweight wheelchairs are grouped under the same payment rules. The bill also allows Medicare to require suppliers to provide patients with written notice of any extra costs before a purchase or rental is finalized.

Who does it affect?

The bill primarily affects Medicare beneficiaries — typically people 65 and older or those with qualifying disabilities — who need an ultralightweight manual wheelchair. Medical suppliers who provide these wheelchairs are also affected.

Why does it matter?

Patients who want a titanium or carbon fiber frame would have more access to those options through Medicare, but could face out-of-pocket charges for the difference between Medicare's reimbursement and the wheelchair's actual cost. Suppliers would gain more flexibility in pricing those specific frame types while operating under a new disclosure requirement.

What does it cost, and who pays?

Medicare would pay its standard reimbursement rate for titanium or carbon fiber ultralightweight wheelchairs, and suppliers would be permitted to bill patients for any amount beyond what Medicare pays. The summary gives a specific example in which Medicare pays $1,500 but the wheelchair costs $2,000, leaving the patient responsible for $500 out of pocket.

Where does it stand?