CurrentNorth Dakota Department of Health & Human ServicesPolicy N/A

Standing Frame-Stander Coverage Criteria

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This policy governs Medicaid coverage and service authorization for standing frames and standers for members ages 0 through 20. It establishes medical-necessity, documentation, equipment, home-use, and non-covered-item requirements for providers requesting the equipment.

Policy Summary

PayerNorth Dakota Department of Health & Human Services

PolicyStanding Frame-Stander Coverage Criteria

Policy CodePolicy N/A

Change TypeAdministrative and formatting revision

Effective DateMarch 1, 2007

Next Review DateN/A

Key ActionObtain service authorization before submitting a standing frame-stander request.

SourceLink

POLICY UPDATE CHANGES

The December 2025 revision removed CMN wording from the policy header.

0-20Eligible member age range

RequiredService authorization

90 days

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CurrentNorth Dakota Department of Health & Human ServicesPolicy N/A

Standing Frame-Stander Coverage Criteria

Customize your policy alerts

Sign up for all North Dakota Department of Health & Human Services policy alerts

Know when North Dakota Department of Health & Human Services releases new policies or updates existing guidance.

Monitor payer policy activity

Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

Policy Summary

PayerNorth Dakota Department of Health & Human Services

PolicyStanding Frame-Stander Coverage Criteria

Policy CodePolicy N/A

Change TypeAdministrative and formatting revision

Effective DateMarch 1, 2007

Next Review DateN/A

Key ActionObtain service authorization before submitting a standing frame-stander request.

SourceLink

POLICY UPDATE CHANGES

The December 2025 revision removed CMN wording from the policy header.

0-20Eligible member age range

RequiredService authorization

90 days

2 peopleRequired assistance

4Non-covered options or situations

Standing Frame-Stander Coverage Criteria

Standing Frame-Stander Medical Necessity

Coverage is allowed when ALL of the following conditions are met:

ALL of the following

Member can demonstrate tolerance for standing and partial weight bearing.
Member and/or caregivers demonstrate the capability and motivation to be compliant in the use of the standing frame.
Member is unable to stand without the aid of adaptive equipment.
Effective weight bearing cannot be achieved by any other means.
Member is unable to stand or ambulate due to long-term medical conditions, and ambulation will most likely not occur.
The stander has been tried and used safely by the member.
Member must be involved in a therapy program established by a physical or occupational therapist. The program must include specific and measurable goals for significant improvement, not maintenance, expected in the areas of standing pivot transfers and/or ambulation skills.
Member must be unable to work on the specified standing pivot transfer and/or ambulation skill goals without the assistance of two people.
The program must include measurable, documented objectives related to the member and equipment, consisting of a written carryover plan to be used by the member and/or caregiver. Without this plan, the service authorization request will be denied.
Member has demonstrated motivation to stand, and the member's caregiver is willing and able to carry out a prescribed home standing program.
The equipment must match the member's needs and ability level.
The home can accommodate the stander.
The stander is for home use only.
Accessories must contribute significantly to the therapeutic function of the device.
Coverage is limited to members from age 0 through age 20.

A member who has a gait trainer is not a candidate for a standing frame. Coverage is excluded because this would be a duplication of service.

A wheel or mobile option for mobility is not medically necessary and is not covered.

Multi-positional standers are considered institutional equipment and are not covered.

Power lift and glider options are not covered.

Designs and accessories primarily intended for a caregiver's convenience are not considered medically necessary.

Authorization and Provider Requirements

Prior Authorization

Prior Authorization Required

Service authorization is required before a standing frame-stander may be provided.

Billing Rule

Age, Setting, and Duplication Limits

The stander is covered only for members ages 0 through 20 and for home use. The equipment must match the member’s needs and ability level, the home must accommodate it, and a member who has a gait trainer is not a candidate because that would duplicate services.

Accessories must contribute significantly to the device’s therapeutic function.
Designs and accessories primarily for caregiver convenience are not medically necessary.

Unsupported block type: documentation

Standing Equipment Background

A sit-to-stand stander helps a member who cannot stand independently transition from sitting to upright standing. The equipment can stop at intermediate positions, supporting gradual weight bearing and progression toward standing.

Equipment Definitions

Sit-to-stand stander

Starting positionTransitions a member who cannot stand independently from a sitting position to upright standing.

Intermediate positioningCan stop at any point between sitting and upright standing.

Weight-bearing supportSupports the member during incremental weight-bearing.

AccessoriesMay include additional accessories for support.

Multi-position stander

Starting positionTransitions a member from a horizontal prone or supine position to upright standing.

Adjustment

Equipment Appropriateness and Home Use

The standing frame-stander must meet all applicable clinical, functional, therapy, equipment, home-use, age, and least-cost criteria.

Equipment appropriateness and home use

The stander matches the member's needs and ability level.
The stander has been tried and used safely by the member.
The member can tolerate standing and partial weight bearing, and the equipment is appropriate for the member's functional ability.
The member is participating in the prescribed physical or occupational therapy program, including measurable improvement goals, equipment-related objectives, and a written carry-over plan.

Required Supporting Documentation

Documentation Required

Submit prescription, examination, and product documentation

Submit a prescribing practitioner prescription, a physician or practitioner examination within 90 days of the service authorization start date, medical documentation supporting the need for the stander, and the stander’s brand and model number. Separately requested positioning features must include manufacturer documentation showing that they are not standard with the basic stander.

Documentation Required

Support therapist and least-cost-device selection

Provide physical or occupational therapist documentation establishing that the selected stander and each component are medically necessary. Also identify less expensive devices considered and explain why they were inappropriate for the member’s medical condition.

Documentation Required

Document the therapy program and home plan

Non-Covered Equipment and Situations

The following items are not covered: wheel or mobile options for mobility, multi-positional standers considered institutional equipment, power lift options, and glider options.

Policy Summary

PayerNorth Dakota Department of Health & Human Services

PolicyStanding Frame-Stander Coverage Criteria

Policy CodePolicy N/A

Change TypeAdministrative and formatting revision

Effective DateMarch 1, 2007

Next Review DateN/A

Key ActionObtain service authorization before submitting a standing frame-stander request.

SourceLink

On This Page

Denial Risk

Inadequate Therapy Plan

Requests may be denied when the therapy plan does not establish the required measurable improvement goals, assistance level, equipment objectives, or home carry-over requirements.

The therapy program must be established by a physical or occupational therapist.
Goals must address standing pivot transfers and/or ambulation skills and significant improvement rather than maintenance.

Denial Risk

Failure to Meet Clinical Criteria

Coverage requires evidence that the member can safely use the stander and meets the clinical standing and weight-bearing criteria.

Member can demonstrate tolerance for standing and partial weight bearing.
Member is unable to stand without adaptive equipment, and effective weight bearing cannot be achieved by any other means.
Member is unable to stand or ambulate because of a long-term medical condition and ambulation will most likely not occur.
The stander has been tried and used safely by the member.

Denial Risk

Member and Caregiver Participation Required

The member and/or caregivers must demonstrate the capability and motivation to comply with use of the standing frame. The member must demonstrate motivation to stand, and the caregiver must be willing and able to carry out the prescribed home standing program.

Insufficient member participation or caregiver support may result in denial.

Unsupported block type: documentation

Denial Risk

Complete Documentation Required

Incomplete documentation may result in denial or delay of authorization. Ensure the submission contains every required prescription, examination, medical-necessity, product, therapist, and least-cost alternative record identified above.

Missing required documentation does not establish coverage or medical necessity.

Is angle-adjustable to provide graduated weight bearing and pressure.

Standing orientationIs designed for either prone or supine standing.

AccessoriesMay include additional accessories for support.

The home can accommodate the stander.

The equipment is for home use only.

The member is age 0 through age 20 only.Age 0 through 20

The stander is the least expensive device appropriate for the member's medical condition, supported by documentation of less expensive devices considered and why they were not appropriate.

Each accessory contributes significantly to the therapeutic function of the device; accessories primarily intended for caregiver convenience are not medically necessary.

Document measurable improvement goals, the need for assistance from two people for the specified standing-transfer or ambulation goals, measurable objectives related to the member and equipment, and a written carry-over plan for the member and/or caregiver.