Summary & Overview
HCPCS E2361: Power Wheelchair 22nf Sealed Lead Acid Battery
HCPCS Level II code E2361 designates a power wheelchair accessory: a 22nf sealed lead acid battery (for example, gel cell or absorbed glass mat). This code matters nationally because batteries are critical consumable components of power mobility devices; correct coding affects claim processing, replacement cycles, and patient access to functional mobility. Reimbursement and coverage policies for durable medical equipment accessories can vary across major commercial payers and Medicare, influencing out-of-pocket costs and supplier billing practices.
Key payers considered include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of what E2361 represents, typical clinical and service contexts for billing, and an outline of the topics covered in the full publication: benchmark payment ranges, common billing and supply-chain considerations for power wheelchair batteries, and recent policy or coding clarifications affecting durable medical equipment accessory claims. The publication also details typical sites of service and business implications for suppliers and durable medical equipment programs.
This summary is intended for a national audience of payers, suppliers, compliance officers, and clinical teams involved with durable medical equipment and mobility device support. Data not available in the input will be noted in relevant sections of the full report.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code E2361 describes a power wheelchair accessory: a 22nf sealed lead acid battery, sold each (examples include gel cell and absorbed glass mat [AGM] batteries). This item is an accessory component intended to provide power storage for a mobility device.
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Service type: Durable medical equipment accessory — power wheelchair battery
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Typical site of service: Durable medical equipment suppliers, home use by the beneficiary, and locations where mobility aids are serviced or maintained
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Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 68-year-old patient with advanced peripheral neuropathy and limited mobility uses a power wheelchair for community ambulation. During a routine maintenance visit to a durable medical equipment (DME) supplier, the wheelchair technician identifies a failing sealed lead-acid battery (22NF, gel cell/absorbed glass mat) that no longer holds adequate charge to power the chair for the patient’s typical daily distance. The supplier documents make/model of the wheelchair, verifies battery size and compatibility, obtains medical necessity documentation (physician order or plan of care referencing mobility impairment), and dispenses a replacement sealed lead-acid battery billed as an accessory to the power wheelchair using billing code E2361. The typical workflow includes verification of patient identity, review of prior authorization if required by the payer, replacement of the battery on site or scheduling delivery/installation, recording battery serial numbers, and providing patient education on battery charging and disposal. For Medicare and commercial payers, the claim is submitted under the patient’s durable medical equipment benefit with any required modifiers to indicate specific circumstances of the service.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier (default) | Use when no special circumstances apply to the battery accessory supply. |