AL HB258

Requires wheelchair repair providers to respond to repair requests within 1 business day, assess repairs within 1-3 business days, and complete repairs within 3 business days of receiving parts, with a maximum 10-day total timeline

Mandates Medicaid coverage for customized wheelchairs when medically necessary and eliminates prior authorization requirements for repairs unless the wheelchair prescription is more than 5 years old (under 21) or 7 years old (21 and older)

Requires wheelchair repair providers contracting with Medicaid to submit annual reports on repair timeliness, including response times, assessment times, and completion times

Requires motorized wheelchair manufacturers to provide documentation, parts, and tools to consumers and independent repair providers on the same terms as authorized repair providers, with violations constituting unlawful trade practices under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act

Effective October 1, 2026, with the Board of Home Medical Equipment authorized to discipline licensed providers for repeated failure to make timely repairs, including fines up to $1,000 per violation