§ 17b-278i — Medical assistance for customized wheelchairs. Definitions. Repairs. Refurbished equipment, parts and components. Regulations.

(a) As used in this section, (1) “customized wheelchair” means a wheelchair built, designed or outfitted for a Medicaid recipient with a physical disability unable to achieve maximum mobility with a standard wheelchair and includes a complex rehabilitation technology wheelchair, (2) “authorized wheelchair dealer”, “complex rehabilitation technology wheelchair” and “timely repair” have the same meanings as provided in section 42-337, and (3) “medically necessary” has the same meaning as provided in section 17b-259b. Customized wheelchairs shall be covered under the Medicaid program only when “medically necessary” and a standard wheelchair does not meet an individual's needs as determined by the Department of Social Services. Wheelchair repairs and parts replacements may be subject to review and approval by the department. Refurbished wheelchairs, parts and components shall be utilized whenever practicable. The Department of Social Services may designate categories of durable medical equipment in addition to customized wheelchairs for which reused equipment, parts and components shall be utilized whenever practicable. (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, on and after July 1, 2024, the Commissioner of Social Services shall not require a new prescription or prior authorization for the medically necessary repair of a customized wheelchair unless the original prescription for such wheelchair is more than five years old. (c) The commissioner shall seek any federal approval necessary, including amending the Medicaid state plan or applying for a Medicaid waiver, to implement the provisions of this section. (d) The commissioner, pursuant to section 17b-10 , may implement policies and procedures necessary to administer the provisions of this section while in the process of adopting such policies and procedures as regulations, provided the commissioner posts notice of intent to adopt regulations on the eRegulations System not later than twenty days after the date of implementation. Policies and procedures implemented pursuant to this section shall be valid until the time final regulations are adopted.

Legislative History

(Dec. Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1, S. 8; P.A. 13-234, S. 85; P.A. 24-58, S. 3.) History: Dec. Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1 effective December 21, 2012; P.A. 13-234 amended Subsec. (a) to delete provision prohibiting assessment of the need for a customized wheelchair unless requested by department, to add provision allowing department to designate categories of durable medical equipment for which reused equipment, parts and components shall be utilized, and to make a technical change, effective June 19, 2013; P.A. 24-58 amended Subsec. (a) by inserting Subdivs. (1) to (3) re definitions and added medical necessity requirement, added new Subsec. (b) re prescription and prior authorization requirements, added new Subsec. (c) re federal approval requests, redesignated existing Subsec. (b) as Subsec. (d) and therein substituted posting on eRegulations System for printing in Connecticut Law Journal, effective July 1, 2024.