BALTIMORE--CMS is proposing Medicare coverage for Johnson & Johnson's iBot 4000, minus the stair-climbing function and other bells and whistles.

Manufactured by Independence Technology, a Johnson & Johnson company, the power wheelchair relies on a computerized system of sensors, gyroscopes and electric motors to climb stairs, travel over uneven surfaces, elevate users to eye level with those who are standing and even be operated remotely.

However, in a proposed decision memo issued April 28, CMS stated that these features "do not serve a medical purpose or are generally inappropriate for use in the patient's home."

CMS suggested providing coverage of the iBot when it is programmed for standard function only--operating similar to a traditional power chair--and "serves the same medical purpose of improving a beneficiary's performance of mobility related activities."

According to a National Coverage Determination released last year, mobility assistive equipment is covered under Medicare's DME benefit category if it is "reasonable and necessary" to help a patient with mobility-related activities of daily living such as toileting, feeding, dressing, grooming and bathing in the home.

Independence Technology introduced the first generation of iBots in 2004, but the retail-only product was met with lackluster sales. The iBot 4000 was introduced late last year.

The power chair carries a price tag of about $29,000.

To view the proposed decision memo, click here.