SpeedControl has an MSRP of $229 USD. Permobil does provide a no-charge wired controller (SpeedControl or SwitchControl) when ordering a new SmartDrive unit.

SmartDrive falls under the power mobility device coverage guidelines although it is an add-on to a manual wheelchair. Manual wheelchair users who have limitations propelling themselves adequately to complete their mobility related activities of daily living (MRADLs) in their home would be candidates for SmartDrive. Medicare and payers who follow their guidelines require the user to be in a manual wheelchair for at least one year before allowing coverage for SmartDrive.

SmartDrive has been code verified by Medicare’s Pricing and Data Analysis Contractor (PDAC) under HCPCS code E0986.

This is true currently for Medicare and payers who follow Medicare guidelines. However, there are payers who don’t require the one year wait. Your client’s insurance carrier can tell you what their specific requirements are to qualify for power assist devices.

SmartDrive is HCPCS coded as E0986 which falls under a payment category known as capped rental for Medicare and payers who follow Medicare guidelines. Capped rental means insurance companies pay for SmartDrive over a period of 13 months, as opposed to paying one lump sum on the initial claim.

If your client has demonstrated the ability to use a wearable control, alone or in combination with a wired control, to engage the SmartDrive, stop the SmartDrive, and to control the speed appropriately, you should pursue such configuration through the clinical justification. Please see our LMN generator for more details.

No. SmartDrive can be adapted to fit most manual wheelchairs on the market, including tilt in space, hemi-height, and one-arm drive chairs. Need to check for compatibility? Email us at support.smartdrive@permobil.com and we can help!

Least costly alternative is policy language insurance companies use to ensure they are satisfying medical need in the most cost-effective way possible. When it comes to SmartDrive, often times, the least costly alternative ends up being a Group 2 power wheelchair. It is important for the clinician to document the reasons why a Group 2 power wheelchair is not an effective way to satisfy medical need.

SmartDrive falls under the power mobility device coverage guidelines although it is an add-on to a manual wheelchair. Manual wheelchair users who have limitations propelling themselves adequately to complete their mobility related activities of daily living (MRADLs) in their home would be candidates for SmartDrive. Medicare and payers who follow their guidelines require the user to be in a manual wheelchair for at least one year before allowing coverage for SmartDrive.

SmartDrive has been code verified by Medicare’s Pricing and Data Analysis Contractor (PDAC) under HCPCS code E0986.

This is true currently for Medicare and payers who follow Medicare guidelines. However, there are payers who don’t require the one year wait. Your client’s insurance carrier can tell you what their specific requirements are to qualify for power assist devices.

If your client has demonstrated the ability to use a wearable control, alone or in combination with a wired control, to engage the SmartDrive, stop the SmartDrive, and to control the speed appropriately, you should pursue such configuration through the clinical justification. Please see our LMN generator for more details.

No. SmartDrive can be adapted to fit most manual wheelchairs on the market, including tilt in space, hemi-height, and one-arm drive chairs. Need to check for compatibility? Email us at support.smartdrive@permobil.com and we can help!

Least costly alternative is policy language insurance companies use to ensure they are satisfying medical need in the most cost-effective way possible. When it comes to SmartDrive, often times, the least costly alternative ends up being a Group 2 power wheelchair. It is important for the clinician to document the reasons why a Group 2 power wheelchair is not an effective way to satisfy medical need.

Some reasons a SmartDrive with a manual wheelchair should be considered over a Group 2 power wheelchair include when the person needs a device that fits within their home and when the person needs to travel using their car/truck (vs. an adapted vehicle). Please see our LMN generator for more details.