coverage under medicare of certain power-operated wheelchairs

coverage under medicare of certain power-operated wheelchairs Sec. 501. (a) Section 1861 (s) (6) of the Social Security Act is amended by inserting after “wheelchairs” the following: “(which may include a power-operated vehicle that may be appropriately used as a wheelchair, but only where the use of such a vehicle is determined to be necessary on the basis of the individual’s medical and physical condition and the vehicle meets such safety requirements as the Secretary may prescribe)”. 91 STAT. 1565 (b) Section 1842(b) (3) of such Act is amended by inserting after the fourth sentence thereof the following new sentence: “With respect to power-operated wheelchairs for which payment may be made in accordance with section 1861 (s) (6), charges determined to be reasonable may not exceed the lowest charge at which power-operated wheelchairs are available in the locality.” (c) The amendments made by this section shall be effective in the case of items and services furnished after the date of the enactment of this Act.