E2397 Lithium Battery — HCPCS Reimbursement

HCPCS Level II code E2397 designates a lithium-based battery sold as an accessory for power wheelchairs. Batteries are essential components of powered mobility devices, affecting device reliability, patient mobility, and long-term maintenance costs. National coverage and reimbursement for such accessories influence access to functional mobility aids and ongoing equipment support.

Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of the code's clinical context, the typical service type (durable medical equipment accessory), and the common sites of service where the accessory is supplied. The publication summarizes payer coverage patterns, reimbursement benchmarks, and relevant policy considerations that affect procurement and patient access. It also outlines common billing practices and documentation expectations tied to provision of replacement or additional batteries.

This summary is intended for clinicians, durable medical equipment suppliers, billing and coding specialists, and policy analysts seeking a concise reference on the role and billing characterization of E2397 in the national healthcare landscape.

Billing Code Overview

HCPCS Level II code E2397 describes a power wheelchair accessory: lithium-based battery, each. This item is an accessory component intended for use with power wheelchairs and other powered mobility devices.

Service type: Durable medical equipment accessory
Typical site of service: Durable medical equipment supplied in home or outpatient settings; primarily provided by DME suppliers for patient use in the home or community

Clinical Context

A patient who uses a power wheelchair experiences reduced battery runtime due to age or failure of the original battery. The durable medical equipment (DME) supplier or a mobility clinic provides a replacement lithium-based wheelchair battery (E2397) to restore function. Typical workflow: the prescribing clinician documents functional need and medical necessity in the patient record, the DME supplier verifies insurance coverage and obtains prior authorization if required, the battery is procured and tested for compatibility with the patient’s power base, and the supplier delivers and installs the battery in the patient’s home or clinic. Common scenarios include patients with spinal cord injury, advanced multiple sclerosis, severe osteoarthritis with mobility impairment, or other neurological or musculoskeletal conditions resulting in long-term use of a powered wheelchair and requiring battery replacement to maintain independent mobility.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`52`	Reduced services	Use when a battery is delivered with limited service relative to standard supply (e.g., partial quantity or limited installation).
`53`

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`261QM1300X`	Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation	Clinicians who evaluate mobility needs and prescribe power wheelchairs and accessories.
`363LP0200X`	Durable Medical Equipment & Supplies	DME suppliers and durable medical equipment providers who supply and install wheelchair batteries.
`207R00000X`	Occupational Therapy	Occupational therapists who assess functional mobility and recommend power mobility solutions.
`2084P0800X`	Physical Therapy	Physical therapists involved in mobility assessment and wheelchair configuration.
`207Q00000X`	Prosthetics/Orthotics	Specialists who may be involved when complex mobility systems require technical fitting or modification.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`G82.20`	Paraplegia, unspecified	Patients with paraplegia commonly use power wheelchairs and may require replacement batteries.
`G83.4`	Cauda equina syndrome	Resultant lower extremity paralysis can necessitate long-term powered mobility and battery replacement.
`G35`	Multiple sclerosis	Progressive disability from MS often leads to reliance on power wheelchairs and periodic battery replacement.
`M16.11`	Unilateral primary osteoarthritis of right hip	Severe lower extremity arthritis causing mobility impairment may lead to power wheelchair use and need for battery replacement.
`R26.2`	Difficulty in walking, not elsewhere classified	Functional ambulation limitations that justify use of a power wheelchair and associated battery supply.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`97542`	Wheelchair management: assessment, fitting, and training; power wheelchair or scooter	Performed when assessing the need for a replacement battery and training the patient on battery care and maintenance.
`95992`	Wheelchair assessment for power mobility device and seating (complex)	Used for advanced assessments that determine compatibility of a lithium battery with the patient’s power base and control system.
`99070`	Supplies and materials (unlisted)	Used when billing non-covered or additional small supplies or disposable materials associated with battery installation not included in `E2397`.
`99080`	Administrative services related to claims (e.g., medical records)	Used for documentation or forms necessary for prior authorization or replacement approval when billed by a provider.
`97605`	Negative-pressure wound therapy (unrelated but commonly co-billed in complex mobility clinics)	Data not relevant to battery replacement but may appear in multidisciplinary visits; include only when clinically applicable.

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Summary & Overview

HCPCS Level II E2397: Power Wheelchair Accessory, Lithium Battery