User Question
What’s the process for getting Medicare to pay for a wheelchair,electric mobility scooter or power wheelchair? My 76-year-old mother has arthritis in her knees and hips, and has a difficult time getting around anymore.
—Searching Daughter
Dear Searching,
Getting an electric-powered mobility scooter or wheelchair for your mom that’s covered by original Medicare starts with a visit to her doctor’s office. If eligible, Medicare will pay 80 percent of the cost, after she meets her $147 Part B deductible. She will be responsible for the remaining 20 percent. Here’s a breakdown of how it works.
Make an Appointment Your first step is to call your mom’s doctor and schedule a Medicare required, face-to-face mobility evaluation, to determine her need for a power wheelchair or scooter. For your mom to be eligible, she’ll need to meet all of the following conditions.
If eligible, your mom’s doctor will determine what kind of mobility equipment she’ll need based on her condition, usability in her home, and ability to operate it.
It’s also important to know that Medicare coverage is dependent on your mom needing a scooter or wheelchair in her home. If her claim is based on needing it outside her home, it will be denied as not medically necessary, because the wheelchair or scooter will be considered as a leisure item.
Where to Shop
If the doctor determines your mom needs a power scooter or wheelchair, he or she will fill out a written order or certificate of medical necessity (CMN) form for her. Once she gets that, she’ll need to take it to a Medicare approved supplier within 45 days. If your mother happens to live in one of Medicare’s competitive bidding areas, you’ll need to get her device from specific suppliers approved by Medicare. To find approved suppliers and competitive bidding suppliers in your area, visit medicare.gov/supplier or call 800-633-4227.
Once you choose an approved supplier, they will send a representative to assess your mom’s home measuring her doorways, thresholds and overall space to ensure she gets the appropriate mobility device.
Even if you find she is ineligible there are so many affordable wheelchairs available.
Financial Assistance
If your mom has a Medicare supplemental policy, it may pick up some, or all of the 20 percent cost of the scooter or wheelchair that’s not covered by Medicare. If, however, she doesn’t have supplemental insurance, and can’t afford the 20 percent, she may be able to get help through Medicare Savings Programs. Call your local Medicaid office for eligibility information.
Or, if you find that your mom is not eligible for a Medicare covered scooter or wheelchair, and she can’t afford to purchase one, renting can be a much cheaper short-term solution. Talk to a supplier about this option.
For more information, call Medicare at 800-633-4227 and request a copy of publication #11046 “Medicare’s Wheelchair and Scooter Benefit.”
Power wheelchair market- Users may be eligible to receive a power chair at little to no cost. Vendors research the qualifications and negotiate the payments for many potential power wheelchair users.As the population ages, people are more frail and need assistance for mobility. Hospital and homecare wheelchair technology is evolving to give people with disabilities more mobility.
Mobility depends on a wheelchair that is fit to purpose. Are people going to move themselves? Are they going to be inside or outside? Is the wheelchair used for traveling by car? Many issues impact the choice of a wheelchair, including cost and reimbursement availability.
This wheelchair markets are poised to create the ability for people to get more exercise and impact the healthcare delivery industry. By encouraging mobility of people who were previously bed ridden, the quality of life rises significantly.
Wheelchairs impact care delivery, permitting the patient to control mobility for the rehabilitation efforts. Power wheel chairs give patients the ability to control movement.
Transport wheelchairs are used for permitting patients to go from home by auto to another place. Patients and family gain more control over care delivery with the availability of rehabilitation and travel with power transport wheelchairs.
Power wheelchair markets at $1.1 billion in 2011 are anticipated to reach $3.9 billion in 2018. Market growth comes in large part from demand for mobility from people who might otherwise be bedridden.
Source: Research report covers the power wheelchair market that is anticipated to reach $3.9 billion in 2018 – WhaTech
WhaTech Channel: Medical Market ResearchSubmitted by Carl Jackson
When her husband Luke danced with his mother on their big day, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. She was suffering from ALS, so she had to use a wheelchair. Luke escorts his mom onto the floor and the two dance arm-in-arm to Mariah Carey’s… View Article
Source: Mom Can’t Leave Her Wheelchair, But When The Groom Does THIS, I’m Crying
Student and his power Wheelchair Cosplay
Student Turns His Power Wheelchair Into an Epic Mad Max cosplay
Ben Carpenter, an engineering student and cosplayer from Florida, just created an amazing Mad Max wheelchair cosplay that will ensure him an everlasting spot in Valhalla.
Carpenter, who was born with spinal muscular atrophy, perfectly imitates the movie’s early scenes, where Mad Max is completely at the mercy of a warboy named Nux. The chariot attached to the back of his wheelchair, which can be switched with a buggy more in-line with a movie, was manned by a fierce fellow cosplay enthusiast
Ben Carpenter, an engineering student and cosplayer from Florida, just created an amazing Mad Max cosplay that will ensure him an everlasting spot in Valhalla.
Student Turns His Wheelchair Into Epic Mad Max Cosplay
Source: Disabled Student Turns His Wheelchair Into Epic Mad Max Cosplay | Bored Panda
Lego unveils first ever minifigure in wheelchairImages taken at the Nuremberg toy fair by fan group Promobricks show a wheelchair-using Lego figurine, complete with helper dog, following #ToyLikeMe equality campaign
Source: Lego unveils first ever minifigure in wheelchair | Art and design | The Guardian
Sir Elton John rode in a wheelchair with his son Zachary on his lap for a family outing at Disneyland in Anaheim on Wednesday.
The 68-year-old pop star was joined by an entourage including three bodyguards, husband David Furnish, a nanny, their son Elijah, and their very own Disney guide.
It’s not clear why the singer was in a wheelchair, particularly as he and Furnish were pictured walking out of Barneys New York in Beverly Hills just 24 hours earlier
By CASSIE CARPENTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 23:33 EST, 23 December 2015 | UPDATED: 13:51 EST, 24 December 2015
Be our guest! Your wish is our command, as you enjoy this Walt Disney World service.