HR 1703: Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2026

HR 1703 in plain English: This bill requires Medicare's administrator to create specific billing codes for ultralightweight manual wheelchairs, separating chairs made with titanium or carbon fiber from those that are not. Suppliers would be paid the standard Medicare rate but could charge patients the difference if the actual wheelchair cost is higher. CMS may require suppliers to notify patients of any extra costs they may owe.

Stated purpose

To clarify how Medicare pays for certain ultralightweight manual wheelchairs by creating separate billing codes based on whether the wheelchair frame is made of titanium or carbon fiber, so these higher-end materials can be tracked and billed distinctly under Medicare Part B.

Key points

• Requires CMS to create at least two billing codes for ultralightweight manual wheelchair bases under Medicare
• At least one code must cover titanium or carbon fiber wheelchair bases; at least one for other materials
• Suppliers receive standard Medicare payment but may bill patients for any amount above that rate
• CMS may require suppliers to warn patients about potential out-of-pocket costs upfront

Arguments supporters make

• People who need or prefer a lighter, more durable titanium or carbon fiber wheelchair would have a path to get one through Medicare rather than being limited to whatever standard models are fully covered.
• Creating separate billing codes gives Medicare better data on what types of wheelchairs are actually being used, which could improve future coverage and payment decisions.
• Requiring suppliers to notify beneficiaries of any extra costs upfront protects patients from surprise bills and lets them make informed choices.

Arguments opponents make

• Allowing suppliers to charge Medicare users extra for premium materials could put higher-quality wheelchairs out of reach for lower-income beneficiaries who cannot afford the cost difference.
• Medicare's standard payment rate may not keep pace with actual costs, meaning the gap beneficiaries must pay out of pocket could be significant and unpredictable.
• The bill does not set a cap on how much suppliers can charge above the Medicare rate, leaving beneficiaries with little protection against potentially high balance billing.

Tradeoffs

The bill expands access to higher-end wheelchair materials within Medicare but shifts some costs from the program onto individual beneficiaries, creating a tension between broader choice and equal affordability for all Medicare users regardless of income.

Current status in Congress: Passed House.

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