K0851 HCPCS code: Power wheelchair, group 3 heavy duty, captains chair, patient weight capacity 301 to 450 pounds
K0851 is the HCPCS Level II code for power wheelchair, group 3 heavy duty, captains chair, patient weight capacity 301 to 450 pounds. The 2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule pays $1,085.92 to $1,194.54 (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. Medicare volume fell 36% from 2022 to 2023 (25 to 16 services). In 2023, 16 suppliers billed Medicare for K0851 (purchases), serving 16 beneficiaries. Its average fee ranks 33 of 46 K08 codes billed RR (family range $105.43–$2,208.58).
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 | 2006-10-01 |
| Last action effective | 2006-10-01 |
2026 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule for K0851
| Modifier | Meaning | Lowest state fee | Highest state fee | Ceiling | Floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RR | rental (monthly) | $1,085.92 | $1,194.54 | $1,085.92 | $923.03 |
| State | Modifier | Fee | Rural fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| AK | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| AL | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| AR | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| AZ | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| CA | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| CO | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| CT | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| DC | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| DE | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| FL | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| GA | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| HI | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| IA | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| ID | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| IL | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| IN | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| KS | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| KY | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| LA | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| MA | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| MD | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| ME | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| MI | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| MN | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| MO | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| MS | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| MT | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| NC | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| ND | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| NE | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| NH | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| NJ | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| NM | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| NV | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| NY | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| OH | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| OK | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| OR | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| PA | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| PR | RR | $1,194.54 | — |
| RI | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| SC | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| SD | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| TN | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| TX | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| UT | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| VA | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| VI | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| VT | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| WA | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| WI | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| WV | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
| WY | RR | $1,085.92 | — |
How the K0851 fee compares
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Rank among 46 K08 codes billed RR (lowest = 1) | 33 |
| Family fee range (average of state fees) | $105.43–$2,208.58 |
| Rural fee uplift | — |
Who bills K0851 (2023)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Suppliers billing rentals | — |
| Suppliers billing purchases | 16 |
| Referring clinicians | 16 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 16 |
| States with claims | 0 |
| Year | Suppliers | Beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 24 | 25 |
| 2023 | 16 | 16 |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for K0851, 2022–2023
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 25 | 25 | $6,214.87 | $4,913.62 |
| 2023 | 16 | 16 | $6,708.31 | $4,969.83 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| DME suppliers | 1 | Code Descriptor / CPT Instruction |
Medicare policy articles for this code
- A52498: Power Mobility Devices - Policy Article (CGS Administrators, LLC (DME MAC) Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC (DME MAC)) — mentions this code in its coding guidance
- A52504: Wheelchair Options/Accessories - Policy Article (CGS Administrators, LLC (DME MAC) Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC (DME MAC)) — mentions this code in its coding guidance
What changed for K0851
- 2026-01-01: Average state fee (RR) rose 2.0%: $1,066.64 to $1,087.97
- 2006-10-01: K0851 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 K0851?
K0851 is the HCPCS Level II code for power wheelchair, group 3 heavy duty, captains chair, patient weight capacity 301 to 450 pounds. Short descriptor: "Pwc gp 3 hd cap chair".
How much does Medicare pay for K0851?
Under the 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule, non-rural state fees are RR (rental (monthly)): $1,085.92–$1,194.54. Rural fees can be higher.
Does Medicare cover K0851?
Coverage code C — Carrier judgment. Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case.
Did the Medicare fee for K0851 change in 2026?
The average non-rural state fee for RR moved from $1,066.64 in 2025 to $1,087.97 in 2026 (+2.0%). CMS's next quarterly HCPCS and DMEPOS update takes effect January 1, 2027.
How many units of K0851 can be billed per day?
1 on DME suppliers (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related K08 codes
- K0800 — Power operated vehicle, group 1 standard, patient weight capacity up to and including 300 pounds ($100.07–$1,438.64)
- K0801 — Power operated vehicle, group 1 heavy duty, patient weight capacity 301 to 450 pounds ($181.46–$2,441.80)
- K0802 — Power operated vehicle, group 1 very heavy duty, patient weight capacity 451 to 600 pounds ($241.46–$2,971.04)
- K0806 — Power operated vehicle, group 2 standard, patient weight capacity up to and including 300 pounds ($174.88–$1,930.97)
- K0807 — Power operated vehicle, group 2 heavy duty, patient weight capacity 301 to 450 pounds ($271.02–$2,958.32)
- K0808 — Power operated vehicle, group 2 very heavy duty, patient weight capacity 451 to 600 pounds ($418.96–$4,575.25)
- K0812 — Power operated vehicle, not otherwise classified
- K0813 — Power wheelchair, group 1 standard, portable, sling/solid seat and back, patient weight capacity up to and including 300 pounds ($312.68–$422.33)
- K0814 — Power wheelchair, group 1 standard, portable, captains chair, patient weight capacity up to and including 300 pounds ($321.31–$496.89)
- K0815 — Power wheelchair, group 1 standard, sling/solid seat and back, patient weight capacity up to and including 300 pounds ($350.06–$559.30)
- K0816 — Power wheelchair, group 1 standard, captains chair, patient weight capacity up to and including 300 pounds ($327.71–$529.49)
- K0820 — Power wheelchair, group 2 standard, portable, sling/solid seat/back, patient weight capacity up to and including 300 pounds ($317.50–$467.11)
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Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under K0851
- Watch K0851 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for K0851
Sources: CMS HCPCS Level II release October 2026; 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.