House Bill 258 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Adline Clarke Representative

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Wheelchair repair; establishing time restrictions to ensure prompt repair, to require Medicaid coverage of repair, and to require manufacturers of motorized wheelchairs to provide necessary documentation, parts, and tools to independent repair providers

Description

There are no provisions in existing law governing the repair of customized wheelchairs.

This bill would require wheelchair repair providers to make repairs in a timely manner. Repair providers that are also licensed home medical equipment services providers would be subject to discipline by the Board of Home Medical Equipment for repeated failure to make timely repairs.

This bill would require Medicaid to cover the cost of a customized wheelchair when medically necessary. This bill would also require wheelchair repair providers that contract with Medicaid to submit annual reports to the Medicaid Agency concerning timeliness of repairs.

This bill would eliminate any requirement for a new prescription or prior authorization for the repair of a customized wheelchair from Medicaid or private health insurance, depending on the age of the wheelchair.

This bill would further require a manufacturer of customized wheelchairs to provide needed product information, tools, and parts directly to the consumer or a repair provider that is not affiliated with the manufacturer.

HB258 INTRODUCED This bill would further provide that a manufacturer's failure to comply with the standards for assistance would be an unlawful trade practice, subject to enforcement by the Attorney General or an aggrieved owner under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

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Subjects

Elderly & Disabled Persons