Summary & Overview
HCPCS K0871: Power Wheelchair Group 4, 451–600 lb Capacity
HCPCS Level II code K0871 covers a group 4 very heavy-duty power wheelchair with a sling or solid seat/back and a patient weight capacity of 451 to 600 pounds. This code identifies specialized durable medical equipment designed to meet mobility needs for patients who require higher weight capacity and reinforced power wheelchair components. Nationally, accurate coding of such devices affects access to appropriate mobility equipment, billing consistency across payers, and DME supply chain planning.
Key payers in the analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of coding context, payer coverage considerations, and the clinical setting in which K0871 is used. The content outlines what to expect in benchmarks and policy implications, including coverage alignment for high-capacity power wheelchairs, documentation expectations tied to clinical necessity, and common sites of service such as the home and community mobility environments.
The publication provides national-level guidance on interpreting the code description, summarizes the service type and typical sites of service, and highlights where input data is not available. Data not available in the input includes specific payer policy details, associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, related codes, and service line financial benchmarks.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code K0871 describes a power wheelchair, group 4 very heavy duty, sling/solid seat/back, patient weight capacity 451 to 600 pounds. This item is a durable medical equipment (DME) power mobility device intended for patients requiring a very heavy-duty power wheelchair due to high weight capacity needs.
Service type: Durable Medical Equipment — Power Wheelchair
Typical site of service: Home use and community mobility settings
Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, and related codes.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 52-year-old patient with morbid obesity and chronic lumbar spine degenerative disease requires a power wheelchair with very heavy-duty capacity due to body habitus and mobility limitations. The durable medical equipment (DME) order is for a Group 4 power wheelchair, sling/solid seat and back, with patient weight capacity of 451 to 600 pounds (K0871). The typical clinical workflow begins with a physician evaluation (primary care or physiatry) documenting functional limitations, mobility needs, and weight measurements. A wheelchair evaluation by a physical or occupational therapist is completed, documenting seating and positioning needs, pressure reduction requirements, and home environment assessment. The DME supplier provides product options, obtains prior authorization from the patient’s payor, delivers the K0871 power wheelchair, performs fitting and training, and documents medical necessity and delivery. Follow-up visits with therapy or the prescribing clinician address fit, skin integrity, and device function.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
22 | Increased procedural services | Use when unusually high work or complexity in customization or complex seating adjustments are documented. |