K0003 HCPCS code: Lightweight wheelchair
K0003 is the HCPCS Level II code for lightweight wheelchair. The 2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule pays $36.91 to $115.29 (RR, rental (monthly)) depending on the state. Its Medicare coverage code is C (Carrier judgment): Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case. The NCCI unit limit is 1 per day on DME suppliers. Its average fee ranks 31 of 40 K00 codes billed RR (family range $1.93–$760.44); rural fees run 82% higher.
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | K codes — Temporary codes for DME MACs |
| Coverage code | C — Carrier judgment |
| Pricing indicator | 36 — DMEPOS: capped rental item |
| BETOS category | D1D — Wheelchairs |
| Added | 1994-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 1994-01-01 |
2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule for K0003
| Modifier | Meaning | Lowest state fee | Highest state fee | Ceiling | Floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RR | rental (monthly) | $36.91 | $115.29 | — | — |
| State | Modifier | Fee | Rural fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| AK | RR | $115.29 | — |
| AL | RR | $46.99 | $87.36 |
| AR | RR | $46.99 | $87.36 |
| AZ | RR | $44.42 | $79.43 |
| CA | RR | $41.97 | $79.56 |
| CO | RR | $41.47 | $87.36 |
| CT | RR | $37.55 | $87.36 |
| DC | RR | $36.91 | $86.67 |
| DE | RR | $36.91 | $77.78 |
| FL | RR | $46.99 | $77.78 |
| GA | RR | $46.99 | $86.55 |
| HI | RR | $84.62 | — |
| IA | RR | $44.90 | $87.36 |
| ID | RR | $41.47 | $77.78 |
| IL | RR | $43.47 | $87.36 |
| IN | RR | $43.47 | $85.87 |
| KS | RR | $44.90 | $87.36 |
| KY | RR | $46.99 | $77.78 |
| LA | RR | $46.99 | $87.36 |
| MA | RR | $37.55 | $87.36 |
| MD | RR | $36.91 | $80.99 |
| ME | RR | $37.55 | $87.36 |
| MI | RR | $43.47 | $78.78 |
| MN | RR | $44.90 | $86.17 |
| MO | RR | $44.90 | $86.65 |
| MS | RR | $46.99 | $77.78 |
| MT | RR | $41.47 | $87.36 |
| NC | RR | $46.99 | $77.78 |
| ND | RR | $44.90 | $82.14 |
| NE | RR | $44.90 | $87.36 |
| NH | RR | $37.55 | $86.77 |
| NJ | RR | $36.91 | $87.36 |
| NM | RR | $44.42 | $87.36 |
| NV | RR | $41.97 | $80.36 |
| NY | RR | $36.91 | $80.69 |
| OH | RR | $43.47 | $87.36 |
| OK | RR | $44.42 | $85.55 |
| OR | RR | $41.97 | $85.19 |
| PA | RR | $36.91 | $87.36 |
| PR | RR | $88.22 | — |
| RI | RR | $37.55 | $77.78 |
| SC | RR | $46.99 | $87.36 |
| SD | RR | $44.90 | $87.36 |
| TN | RR | $46.99 | $87.36 |
| TX | RR | $44.42 | $87.36 |
| UT | RR | $41.47 | $87.36 |
| VA | RR | $46.99 | $87.36 |
| VI | RR | $80.69 | — |
| VT | RR | $37.55 | $87.36 |
| WA | RR | $41.97 | $87.36 |
| WI | RR | $43.47 | $79.04 |
| WV | RR | $46.99 | $87.36 |
| WY | RR | $41.47 | $87.17 |
How the K0003 fee compares
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Rank among 40 K00 codes billed RR (lowest = 1) | 31 |
| Family fee range (average of state fees) | $1.93–$760.44 |
| Rural fee uplift | 82.0% |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| DME suppliers | 1 | Code Descriptor / CPT Instruction |
What changed for K0003
- 2026-01-01: Average state fee (RR) rose 2.6%: $45.30 to $46.49
- 1994-01-01: K0003 added to HCPCS Level II
- Next scheduled CMS quarterly update (HCPCS and DMEPOS fee schedule): 2027-01-01
Frequently asked questions
What is HCPCS code K0003?
K0003 is the HCPCS Level II code for lightweight wheelchair. Short descriptor: "Lightweight wheelchair".
How much does Medicare pay for K0003?
Under the 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule, non-rural state fees are RR (rental (monthly)): $36.91–$115.29. Rural fees can be higher.
Does Medicare cover K0003?
Coverage code C — Carrier judgment. Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case.
Did the Medicare fee for K0003 change in 2026?
The average non-rural state fee for RR moved from $45.30 in 2025 to $46.49 in 2026 (+2.6%). CMS's next quarterly HCPCS and DMEPOS update takes effect January 1, 2027.
How many units of K0003 can be billed per day?
1 on DME suppliers (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related K00 codes
- K0001 — Standard wheelchair ($25.23–$53.63)
- K0002 — Standard hemi (low seat) wheelchair ($38.93–$101.05)
- K0004 — High strength, lightweight wheelchair ($48.55–$163.93)
- K0005 — Ultralightweight wheelchair ($259.07–$2,797.90)
- K0006 — Heavy duty wheelchair ($68.77–$169.03)
- K0007 — Extra heavy duty wheelchair ($96.40–$211.59)
- K0008 — Custom manual wheelchair/base
- K0009 — Other manual wheelchair/base ($101.86–$122.26)
- K0010 — Standard - weight frame motorized/power wheelchair ($516.03–$1,144.42)
- K0011 — Standard - weight frame motorized/power wheelchair with programmable control parameters for speed adjustment, tremor dampening, acceleration control and braking ($641.58–$810.57)
- K0012 — Lightweight portable motorized/power wheelchair ($393.59–$543.05)
- K0013 — Custom motorized/power wheelchair base
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Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under K0003
- Watch K0003 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for K0003
Sources: CMS HCPCS Level II release October 2025; CMS DMEPOS fee schedule 2026; CMS NCCI MUE tables; CMS Medicare utilization (physician and DME supplier files); CMS Medicare Coverage Database articles. Fees are Medicare allowables, not commercial rates. Not billing or legal advice.