Positioning Equipment

Revised: October 5, 2026

· Overview

· Eligible Providers

· Third-Party Liability (TPL) and Medicare

· Eligible Members

· Covered Services

· Positioning Cushions, Pillows, and Wedges

· Reflux Wedges

· Positioning Seats for use in vehicles

· Positioning Seats for use in homes

· Heel and Elbow Protectors

· Noncovered Services

· Authorization

· Billing

· Legal References

Overview

Positioning cushions and positioning seats for use in vehicles and the home are used by individuals who require significant postural support. Infants with severe gastroesophageal reflux may use reflux wedges.

Eligible Providers

The following may provide positioning equipment:

· Federally qualified health centers

· Home health agencies

· Hospitals

· Indian Health Services

· Medical suppliers

· Pharmacies

· Rural health clinics

Third-Party Liability (TPL) and Medicare
Providers must meet any provider criteria, including accreditation, for third-party insurance or for Medicare to assist members for whom Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) is not the primary payer.

MHCP quantity limits and thresholds apply to all members unless only Medicare coinsurance or deductible is requested. Refer to the Medicare and Other Insurance section of the MHCP Provider Manual for more information.

Eligible Members

Positioning equipment is covered for eligible Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare members.

Covered Services

Codes: E0190, E0191, T5001
MHCP covers the following positioning equipment:

· Positioning cushions, pillows, wedges, and sleep systems (E0190)

· Positioning seats for people with special orthopedic needs (T5001)

· Heel or elbow protectors (E0191)

Positioning cushions, pillows, wedges, sleep systems, and seats for use in vehicles and homes are not included in the per diem for members living in a nursing facility or the per diem for members living an intermediate care facility for people with developmental disabilities (ICF/DD).

Positioning Cushions, Pillows, and Wedges
Positioning cushions, pillows, and wedges (E0190) are covered for members who need significant postural support when other methods of positioning have been tried and failed or when the physician’s order states that other methods of positioning are contraindicated for the member due to the member’s medical condition. Positioning equipment must be manufactured to meet medically necessary positioning needs rather than for general use.

Documentation must include member diagnosis, clinical history, the medical condition that requires postural support, and consideration of less costly alternatives. Documentation must indicate that the positioning cushion, pillow or wedge has been prescribed and fitted by a medical professional with experience. The member’s caregivers must have been trained in the use and care of the equipment.

HCPCS code E0190 includes all components and accessories for positioning pillows and systems, including pillow covers, vacuum pumps and sleep systems. Authorization is required if the submitted combined charge is more than $400. Necessary accessories may not be separately billed when requesting authorization and billing for positioning pillows or systems.

Accessories dispensed to replace lost or damaged accessories for a patient-owned positioning pillow or system should be billed with HCPCS code E0190 and modifier RB unless a more specific HCPCS code is available for the accessory.

Reflux Wedges
Reflux wedges (E0190) are covered for infant members with severe gastroesophageal reflux when other methods of positioning have been tried and failed or are contraindicated. Documentation must detail why the item is necessary for the member’s medical condition and why other items do not satisfy the member’s medical needs. Authorization is required if the submitted combined charge is more than $400.

Positioning Seats for use in vehicles
Positioning seats (T5001) for use in vehicles are covered with authorization for members with special orthopedic or medical needs that cannot be met using conventional car seats or with needs that make conventional car seats medically inappropriate. A positioning seat may be medically necessary for a member with an inability to maintain an unsupported sitting position independently which is caused by a medical condition.

Potential diagnoses include, but are not limited to:

· Severe head and trunk instability

· Severe hypotonicity, hypertonicity, spasticity or muscle spasm which result in uncontrollable movement and position changes

· Severe seizure activity that results in uncontrollable movement and position changes

· Orthopedic disease processes resulting in significant bone fragility

· Significant contractures that would result in an inability to perform postural corrections due to vehicle motion

· Orthopedic condition, such as a curvature of the spine, which interferes with proper positioning

Documentation for the authorization request for a positioning seat for use in vehicles must include an evaluation by a physical therapist or occupational therapist, the medical condition that causes the need for the positioning seat, other interventions that have been tried to meet the member’s needs, and less-costly positioning seats that have been considered and rejected. Document the member’s current height and weight, and the weight capacity and growth potential for the requested seat. Vehicle modifications, including harnesses and restraints, are only covered for members whose size prevent them from using a positioning seat in a vehicle or as part of a covered seat.

Positioning Seats for use in homes
Positioning seats (T5001) for use at home are covered with authorization for members with special orthopedic or medical needs during essential activities of daily living that cannot be met using conventional chairs or with needs that make conventional chairs medically inappropriate. A positioning seat may be medically necessary for members with inability to maintain unsupported sitting positions independently due to medical conditions.

Potential diagnoses include, but are not limited to:

· Severe head and trunk instability

· Severe hypotonicity, hypertonicity, spasticity or muscle spasm which result in uncontrollable movement and position changes

· Severe seizure activity that results in uncontrollable movement and position changes

· Orthopedic condition, such as curvature of the spine, which interferes with proper positioning

Documentation for the authorization request for a positioning seat for use in homes must include the medical condition that causes the need for the positioning seat, the specific activities of daily living for which the seat is requested, other interventions that have been tried to meet the member’s needs, and less costly positioning seats that have been considered and rejected. Document the member’s current height and weight, and the weight capacity for the requested seat.

Heel and Elbow Protectors
Heel and elbow protectors (E0191) are covered for members at risk of developing sores on heels or elbows due to positioning. Protectors may be medically necessary for members who require protectors to prevent friction against the skin. MHCP covers four units per year.

Noncovered Services

MHCP does not cover the following:

· Cars seats used to prevent injury to a child

· Car seats for children who do not require positioning assistance

· Cervical rolls

· Feeding chairs or highchairs for members without significant positioning needs due to a medical condition

· Heat and massage cushion pads and recliners

· Home modifications

· Items of convenience

· Pillows designed to reduce allergens

· Positioning equipment requested to meet behavioral needs rather than positioning needs

· Positioning equipment requested for personal comfort or convenience

· Positioning equipment that is primarily intended for leisure or recreation

· Duplication of services, including the following:

· Cars seats for members who use mobility devices with positioning or support attachments and whose caregiver has a vehicle equipped for transporting the member

· Positioning seats for members in the home who use mobility devices with positioning or support attachments

· Vehicle modifications, unless part of a covered seat or the member’s size prevent them from using a seat in a vehicle

Authorization

Authorization is required in the following:

· Quantities over MHCP quantity limits

· Positioning seats for people with special orthopedic needs (T5001)

· HCPCS codes without an MHCP fee schedule rate always require authorization if the submitted charge is more than $400

· Purchase, repairs, and replacement of positioning cushions, pillows, and wedges and accessories (E0190) when the submitted combined charge is more than $400

Submit authorization to the Medical Review Agent.

Billing

Providers are responsible to coordinate services. Refer to the Billing Policy Overview section of Provider Basics for general billing information.

Bill positioning equipment using MN–ITS 837P. Refer to the Billing for Durable Medical Equipment, Medical Supplies, Prosthetics and Orthotics, and Augmentative Devices MN–ITS user manual for claim instructions.

· Bill purchases of all reflux wedges and positioning cushions, pillows or wedges using HCPCS code E0190 and modifier NU unless a more specific code has been assigned by the Medicare Pricing, Data Analysis and Coding contractor (PDAC). Refer to the PDAC-Medicare Contractor for Pricing, Data Analysis and Coding of HCPCS Level II DMEPOS Codes webpage for more information.

· Bill replacement of accessories for a patient-owned positioning pillow using HCPCS code E0190 and modifier RB unless a more specific code has been assigned by the PDAC

· Bill purchase of all positioning seats for home or vehicle use using HCPCS code T5001 and modifier NU unless a more specific code has been assigned by the PDAC

· Positioning equipment that requires authorization must be billed on a separate claim from equipment and supplies that do not require authorization

· The HCPCS code and modifiers must match the authorization

· The electronic claim must include the manufacturer’s invoice or price list as an attachment as described in the Electronic claim attachments webpage

Legal References

Minnesota Statutes, 256B.0625, subdivision 31 (Covered Services)
Minnesota Rules, 9505.0310