1000, Adaptive Aids/Vehicle Modification Services

Revision 10-1; Effective June 14, 2010

Adaptive Aids/Vehicle Modification Services

This is an all-inclusive list of adaptive aids and vehicle modification services. For specific procedures related to the procurement of adaptive aids and vehicle modifications, refer to Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Title 40, Part 1, Chapter 42.

For the items on this list, the Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities (DBMD) program provider must obtain written specifications for the adaptive aid or vehicle modification from the appropriate licensed professional as listed below:

  • Audiologist
  • Behavioral Support Specialist
  • Dietician
  • Registered Nurse
  • Physician
  • Orientation and Mobility Specialist
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Ophthalmologist
  • Optometrist
  • Physical Therapist
  • Speech Therapist
  • Dentist

The following adaptive aids/medical supplies may include repair and maintenance not covered by warranty:

  1. Lifts
    1. wheelchair lifts
    2. porch or stair lifts
    3. stairway lifts (only in residences owned by the individual/family)
    4. bathtub seat lifts
    5. ceiling lifts which transport the individual around the home via tracks (only in-residences owned by the individual and/or family)
    6. other hydraulic, manual or electronic lifts
  2. Mobility Aids (including batteries and chargers)
    1. manual/electric wheelchairs and necessary accessories
    2. adult strollers/travel chairs/three-wheel scooters
    3. mobility bases for customized chairs
    4. braces, crutches, walkers, canes (to include white canes) and necessary accessories
    5. materials to construct adaptive mobility aids for individuals with visual impairments (i.e., PVC pipes to construct an adapted cane or pre-cane device)
    6. color contrast or reflective tape (to mark paths, drop-offs, etc.)
    7. prescribed prosthetic devices
    8. orthopedic shoes and other prescribed footwear
    9. prescribed exercise equipment and therapy aids
    10. bus passes, metro transit services, and taxi services (for non-medical transportation only)
    11. portable ramps that do not require installation
    12. automatic door openers
    13. gait trainers
    14. global positioning systems (GPS) designed for individuals with visual impairments and appropriate accessories to allow an individual with visual impairments to independently travel within the community
    15. service animals and maintenance to include veterinary expenses
    16. tinted glasses, visors and sunshields to regulate glare for an individual with visual impairments
    17. flashlights
    18. magnifying devices
  3. Position Devices
    1. standing frames/boards
    2. removable bathtub rails
    3. toilet chairs
    4. orthotic devices
    5. hospital beds and necessary accessories (must meet Medicaid standards/specifications)
    6. egg crate mattresses, sheepskin and other medically-related padding
    7. lift recliners
    8. trapeze bars
  4. Communication Aids
    1. communicators
      1. direct selection communicators
      2. alphanumeric communicators
      3. scanning communicators
      4. adapted telephones for an individual with visual and/or hearing impairments (i.e., amplified telephones, phones with enlarged keypads, phones with braille displays, captioned telephones, speaker phones)
      5. telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or telephone typewriters/teletypewriter (TTY), to include TDD/TTY machines with braille displays
      6. large visual displays for TDD/TTY machines
      7. video relay phones/equipment for video relay service (the monthly service fee would not be included or covered)
      8. face-to-face communication devices
      9. telebraille and teletype machines
      10. materials to construct communication aids
      11. encoding communicators
      12. communication books, communication symbols, experience books and calendar systems (to include calendar boxes, shelves and charts)
    2. speech amplifiers and assistive listening devices
    3. interpreters
    4. hearing aids beyond the Medicaid limit
    5. hearing aid supplies beyond the Medicaid limit
    6. FM communication systems
  5. Computers and Appropriate Accessories (for assistance with activities of daily living (ADL), communication and environmental control)
    1. computers and appropriate accessories
    2. appropriate software to address the needs listed above (limited to three per year)
    3. adapted workstations/chairs
    4. computer evaluations, specifications and training (may be completed by the prescribing professional)
    5. computer literacy training for educating an individual in the use of adaptive software necessary to perform ADL and avoid institutionalization (limited to 10 sessions per software unit)
    6. braille displays
    7. braille printers/embossers
    8. electronic braille notetakers
  6. Environmental Controls
    1. electronic environmental control devices
    2. voice activated, light activated and motion activated devices (to include amplified features)
    3. control switches/pneumatic switches and devices
      1. sip and puff controls
      2. adaptive switches/devices
      3. sensory adaptations
  7. Adaptive Equipment for ADL (based on the needs of the individual as authorized on the Individual Program Plan)
    1. assistive devices
      1. reachers
      2. stabilizing devices
      3. weighted equipment holders (i.e., book stands, page turners, cup holder)
      4. signature stamps or signature guides
      5. electric self-feeders
      6. microwave ovens (only for persons with muscular weakness or who lack manual dexterity and those persons who cannot use conventional ovens)
      7. food processors and blenders (for persons with muscular weakness in upper body who lack manual dexterity and are unable to use manual conventional kitchen appliances or for individuals with visual impairment that would be necessary for the individual's safety)
      8. variations of everyday equipment
        1. shaped, bent, built-up utensils
        2. long-handed equipment
        3. addition of friction coverings
        4. coated feeding equipment
        5. count-a-dose systems/manual medication reminder systems
        6. pill crushers/splitters
        7. specially adapted kitchen appliances
        8. toilet seat reducer rings
        9. food preparation utensils
        10. specially-adapted clocks/wristwatches for persons with visual or hearing impairment
        11. adapted scales
      9. prescribed therapy aids (to be utilized with therapist oversight)
      10. service animals and maintenance to include veterinary expenses
      11. quad gloves
      12. specialized lighting and flashlights
      13. braille displays, braille labelers, braille embossers and braille printers
      14. magnifying devices
      15. electric toothbrushes
      16. water pics
      17. specialized toothpastes (requiring a prescription)
      18. braille writers
    2. safety devices
      1. bed rails
      2. safety padding
      3. helmets
      4. walking belts/gait belts
      5. flutter boards
      6. personal floatation devices/lifejackets
      7. elbow and knee pads
      8. emergency response systems
      9. water walkers
      10. adapted fire extinguishers
      11. adapted smoke and carbon dioxide detectors
      12. visual alert systems
      13. vibrating alert systems
    3. shower chairs/transfer benches
    4. electric razors
    5. flexible, disposable drinking straws for persons with muscular weakness or who cannot drink from a regular drinking glass or cup
    6. hand-held shower attachments that are portable and do not require installation
  8. Medically Necessary Supplies
    1. tracheostomy care
    2. decubitus care
    3. ostomy care
    4. respirator/ventilator care
    5. catheterization supplies
    6. diapers, linens and other incontinence supplies not covered by the Medicaid state plan
    7. prescribed nutritional supplements as approved by Medicaid
    8. enteral feeding formulas and supplies
    9. transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) units/supplies/repairs
    10. specialized thermometers
    11. diabetic supplies (beyond Medicaid limit)
    12. glucose monitors
    13. medical supply cabinets
    14. humidifiers
    15. suctioning devices
    16. prescription eyeglasses/accessories (beyond Medicaid limit)
    17. muscle stimulators
    18. medically necessary heating and cooling units prescribed by a physician for individuals with respiratory or cardiac problems or people who cannot regulate their body temperature
    19. urinary incontinent devices and supplies
    20. blood pressure monitors
    21. vitamins with a prescription
    22. gloves (beyond Medicaid limit)
    23. medication cups (beyond Medicaid limit)
  9. Modification/Additions to Primary Transportation Vehicles
    1. van lifts
    2. driving controls
      1. brake/accelerator hand controls
      2. dimmer relays/switches
      3. horn buttons
      4. wrist supports
      5. hand extensions
      6. left-foot gas pedals
      7. right turn levers
      8. gear shift levers
      9. steering spinners
    3. medically necessary air conditioning units prescribed by a physician for individuals with respiratory or cardiac problems or people who cannot regulate their body temperature
    4. removal or placement of seats to accommodate a wheelchair
    5. installation, adjustment or placement of mirrors to overcome visual obstructions of wheelchair in vehicle
    6. raising of the roof of the vehicle to accommodate an individual riding in a wheelchair
    7. wheelchair tie-downs
    8. seat belt covers
    9. automatic door openers
  10. Repair and Maintenance of Items (on the authorized list above as allowable by rule)
  11. Temporary Lease/Rental of Medically Necessary Durable Medical Equipment (to allow for repair, purchase or replacement of essential support system or while non-waiver resources review the medical necessity). Lease/rental shall not exceed 90 days.