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House approves bill letting Medicare patients pay for upgraded manual wheelchairs
Summary
The House suspended the rules and passed H.R. 1703, the Choices for Increased Mobility Act, which clarifies Medicare payment rules to allow beneficiaries to choose titanium or carbon‑fiber manual wheelchairs and pay upgrade costs out of pocket. Sponsors said the measure restores patient choice.
The House on July 20 passed H.R. 1703, the Choices for Increased Mobility Act, a bipartisan bill that clarifies Medicare Part B payment rules and allows beneficiaries to acquire upgraded manual wheelchairs at their own expense.
Sponsor remarks emphasized patient choice and access. Representative Self said the bill “clarifies the payment roles for manual wheelchairs under Medicare Part B” and described the law’s changes as removing barriers that have limited access to lightweight options since 2016. The bill creates two new wheelchair codes and allows upgrades within existing codes, proponents said.
Members on both sides said the measure preserves Medicare’s core protections while expanding optional upgrades. A manager of the floor proceedings noted concern that the option may primarily benefit higher‑income beneficiaries, but managers urged colleagues to support the compromise and to notify beneficiaries of any additional out‑of‑pocket costs.
Under suspension of the rules, the House passed the bill by voice vote and the chair announced that the rules were suspended and the bill passed. The motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
