This Medical Policy is provided for informational purposes only.

If Members have any questions about the medical necessity of a service or procedure, they should discuss the question with their Network Provider or call a member of our Customer Service Team.

MEDICAL POLICY USE DISCLAIMER

  1. Medical Policy is used by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, A Mutual Insurance Company ("BCBSMS") as one set of guidelines (among other sets of guidelines) to assist BCBSMS in making benefit coverage decisions. BCBSMS utilizes Medical Policy adopted by our Medical Policy Advisory Committee ("MPAC") which is supported by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Medical Policy, research and development. Medical Policies are the property of BCBSMS and any use of Medical Policy not agreed to by BCBSMS is strictly prohibited. The use of Medical Policy for purposes related to the health care of a BCBSMS plan member is permitted and is not a violation of the proprietary rights of BCBSMS.
  2. These Medical Policies are based on scientifically meritorious evidence provided through research for a particular medical technology. Medical Policy is also based on data from peer-reviewed scientific literature, from criteria developed by specialty societies and from guidelines adopted by other health care organizations.
  3. These Medical Policies apply to members/subscribers who have health insurance through BCBSMS. This Medical Policy also applies to Members of a self-insured group health plan for which Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi provides claims administration and persons covered by a Medicare Supplement policy offered by BCBSMS. This Medical Policy does not apply to any other individuals. Medical Policies may differ for Federal employees covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan.
  4. In the event of any conflict between this Medical Policy and any benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document, the benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document will govern.
  5. Medical technology is rapidly changing and these Medical Policies are subject to change without notice. Also, please be aware that as a result of ongoing changes being made to Medical Policy, BCBSMS cannot and does not guarantee that these Medical Policies are current.

BCBSMS Medical Policies are Subject to the Following Restrictions


This Medical Policy is provided for informational purposes only.

If Members have any questions about the medical necessity of a service or procedure, they should discuss the question with their Network Provider or call a member of our Customer Service Team.

MEDICAL POLICY USE DISCLAIMER

  1. Medical Policy is used by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, A Mutual Insurance Company ("BCBSMS") as one set of guidelines (among other sets of guidelines) to assist BCBSMS in making benefit coverage decisions. BCBSMS utilizes Medical Policy adopted by our Medical Policy Advisory Committee ("MPAC") which is supported by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Medical Policy, research and development. Medical Policies are the property of BCBSMS and any use of Medical Policy not agreed to by BCBSMS is strictly prohibited. The use of Medical Policy for purposes related to the health care of a BCBSMS plan member is permitted and is not a violation of the proprietary rights of BCBSMS.
  2. These Medical Policies are based on scientifically meritorious evidence provided through research for a particular medical technology. Medical Policy is also based on data from peer-reviewed scientific literature, from criteria developed by specialty societies and from guidelines adopted by other health care organizations.
  3. These Medical Policies apply to members/subscribers who have health insurance through BCBSMS. This Medical Policy also applies to persons covered by the Mississippi Children's Health Insurance Program, Members of a self-insured group health plan for which Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi provides claims administration and persons covered by a Medicare Supplement policy offered by BCBSMS. This Medical Policy does not apply to any other individuals. Medical Policies may differ for Federal employees covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan.
  4. In the event of any conflict between this Medical Policy and any benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document, the benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document will govern.
  5. Medical technology is rapidly changing and these Medical Policies are subject to change without notice. Also, please be aware that as a result of ongoing changes being made to Medical Policy, BCBSMS cannot and does not guarantee that these Medical Policies are current.

BCBSMS Medical Policies are Subject to the Following Restrictions


This Medical Policy is provided for informational purposes only.

If Members have any questions about the medical necessity of a service or procedure, they should discuss the question with their Network Provider or call a member of our Customer Service Team.

MEDICAL POLICY USE DISCLAIMER

  1. Medical Policy is used by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, A Mutual Insurance Company ("BCBSMS") as one set of guidelines (among other sets of guidelines) to assist BCBSMS in making benefit coverage decisions. BCBSMS utilizes Medical Policy adopted by our Medical Policy Advisory Committee ("MPAC") which is supported by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Medical Policy, research and development. Medical Policies are the property of BCBSMS and any use of Medical Policy not agreed to by BCBSMS is strictly prohibited. The use of Medical Policy for purposes related to the health care of a BCBSMS plan member is permitted and is not a violation of the proprietary rights of BCBSMS.
  2. These Medical Policies are based on scientifically meritorious evidence provided through research for a particular medical technology. Medical Policy is also based on data from peer-reviewed scientific literature, from criteria developed by specialty societies and from guidelines adopted by other health care organizations.
  3. These Medical Policies apply to members/subscribers who have health insurance through BCBSMS. This Medical Policy also applies to persons covered by the Mississippi Children's Health Insurance Program, Members of a self-insured group health plan for which Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi provides claims administration and persons covered by a Medicare Supplement policy offered by BCBSMS. This Medical Policy does not apply to any other individuals. Medical Policies may differ for Federal employees covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan.
  4. In the event of any conflict between this Medical Policy and any benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document, the benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document will govern.
  5. Medical technology is rapidly changing and these Medical Policies are subject to change without notice. Also, please be aware that as a result of ongoing changes being made to Medical Policy, BCBSMS cannot and does not guarantee that these Medical Policies are current.

BCBSMS Medical Policies are Subject to the Following Restrictions

Medical Policy Search
Printer Friendly Version Commode Chairs

Commode Chairs

 

DESCRIPTION

Commode chairs and commode chair accessories are considered to be Durable Medical Equipment (DME). DME are items which are used to serve a medical purpose, can withstand repeated use, are generally not useful to a person in the absence of illness, injury, or disease, and are appropriate for use in the patient’s home. Construction costs to the Member’s residence to accompany the equipment are not considered DME.

Indications and Criteria for DME coverage are discussed in a separate policy.

Coverage for commode chairs is subject to the terms, conditions and limitations of the DME benefit within the Member’s specific benefit plan language.

If coverage for DME is available, and the Member’s benefit plan language is not specific to commode chairs, then the following apply.

 

POLICY

I. A standard stationary commode chair is considered medically necessary when the patient is physically incapable of utilizing regular toilet facilities. This would occur in the following situations:
  • The patient is confined to a single room, or
  • The patient is confined to one level of the home environment and there is no toilet on that level, or
  • The patient is confined to the home and there are no toilet facilities in the home

II. A stationary commode chair with detachable arms is considered medically necessary when the individual meets medical necessity criteria for a standard commode chair but requires either extra width or detachable arms to facilitate transfers.

III. An extra wide, heavy-duty stationary commode chair is considered medically necessary when the individual meets medical necessity criteria for a standard commode chair and weighs ≥ 300 pounds.

Coverage is limited to a stationary commode.

The following items are considered to be not primarily medical in nature, a self-help or convenience item; and therefore are considered not medically necessary:

  • Commode chair seat lift mechanism
  • Foot rests
  • Mobile commode chairs
  • Toilet rails
  • Wheelchair commode seat
  • Transfer bench
  • Patient lift for toilets
  • Raised toilet seat

 

POLICY EXCEPTIONS

For Federal Employee Program (FEP): Follow FEP guidelines.

State Health Plan (State and School Employees): Commode chairs may be covered based on medical necessity as determined by the Medical Review Department.

 

POLICY GUIDELINES

The coverage guidelines outlined in the Medical Policy Manual should not be used in lieu of the Member’s specific benefit plan language.

 

POLICY HISTORY

10/01/2009:  Policy Approved by Business Committee

10/21/2009:  FEP verbiage added to Policy Exceptions Section

11/19/2009:  Approved by Medical Policy Advisory Committee (MPAC)

03/30/2011: State Health Plan verbiage added to the Policy Exceptions section.

05/08/2013: Policy reviewed; no changes.

 

SOURCES

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Medicare Coverage Database, Local Coverage Determination (L4991) and Article (A23837)

 

CODE REFERENCE

This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of codes. Some covered procedure codes have multiple descriptions.

The code(s) listed below are ONLY covered if the procedure is performed according to the "Policy" section of this document.

Covered Codes

Code Number

Description

CPT-4

 

 

ICD-9 Procedure

 

 

ICD-9 Diagnosis

 

 

HCPCS

E0163

Commode chair, mobile or stationary, with fixed arms

E0165Commode chair, mobile or stationary, with detachable arms
E0167Pail or pan for use with commode chair, replacement only
E0168Commode chair, extra wide and/or heavy-duty, stationary or mobile, with or without arms, any type, each

This is not an all-inclusive list of non-covered procedure codes.

The code(s) listed below and ANY code not listed in the previous section are considered non-covered for this procedure.

Non-Covered Codes

Code Number

Description

CPT-4

 

 

ICD-9 Procedure

 

 

ICD-9 Diagnosis

 

 

HCPCS

E0170

Commode chair with integrated seat lift mechanism, electric, any type

E0171

Commode chair with integrated seat lift mechanism, nonelectric, any type

E0172Seat lift mechanism placed over or on top of toilet, any type
E0175Footrest, for use with commode chair, each
E0243Toilet rail, each
E0244Raised toilet seat
E0247Transfer bench for tub or toilet with or without commode opening
E0248Transfer bench, heavy duty, for tub or toilet with or without commode opening
E0625Patient lift, bathroom or toilet, not otherwise classified
E0968Commode seat, wheelchair

 

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