Wheelchair Info: Featured Article

Wheelchairs Reestablish Mobility in the Sick, Disabled and Aged

There are millions of people from every walk of life that make use of wheelchairs. It helps those that are unable to walk by themselves which may be due to old age, injuries or other disability. Most often, people require wheelchairs due to some unfortunate circumstance in their lives that may have come about due to a tragedy, or due to some form of debilitating illness that has caused a loss of motion.

A disease such as multiple sclerosis may contribute to why a person needs to use a wheelchair, or it may be due to an accident that has hurt the spine thus necessitating the use of wheelchairs. It is thus necessary for a person to act in a careful manner, and not do something reckless that could cause him or her to wind up in a wheelchair.

Take a Physician’s Suggestion When Choosing

Before selecting a wheelchair, you may want the suggestion of a physician or physical therapist because the need for mobility may best be addressed by a competent healthcare professional. Most wheelchairs are designed with the user in mind, and will suit all age groups as well as those with different forms of disability. In any case, there is a wide range of wheelchairs to choose from, and you can choose from different sizes, heights, lengths as well as types.

You could also choose between manual, power, electric and motorized wheelchairs, and some amount of comparison between types, makes and models would be necessary before selecting the most suitable one. In this manner, you would be able to zero in on the most cost effective as well as feature rich wheelchair, and the one with the best warranty. Ordinary wheelchairs are constructed around an X-frame that may be folded, and can be fitted with a seat and back cushion as well as with any accessory you will require. There are also those that can be taken apart, and some that require to be transported, while others may need to have armrests that can be detached. Power recliners have the ability to have the seat elevated and a usually have a utility tray included.

The bottom line is that your wheelchair should provide you with stability as well as have a good and tight turning radius. Sometimes, people that only require this form of transportation for a limited period of time opt for renting one instead of an outright purchase. You may also choose to buy a used one to save on costs. Whatever you decide on there is no doubt that this item is a boon for the millions of people that need it to regain their lost mobility.

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April 30, 2007

Medicare Reimbursement for Power Wheelchairs and Scooters

Tip! You’ll be able to easily find manual and electric wheelchairs as well as sports model wheelchairs that support a variety of activities and lifestyles.

Power mobility equipment offers a “new lease on life” to many persons with limited mobility. Medicare reimburses power mobility equipment up to 80% of the Medicare allowable amount if the person qualifies for this benefit and the health care professional certifies that the wheelchair or scooter is medically necessary.

Covering all of the Medicare regulations for power mobility equipment could take up volumes. Only mimimal information is included here. Some of this information I learned in training for my position as mobility specialist; other information I have gathered in the past couple of years selling mobility equipment.

Current Medicare guidelines for power wheelchairs require that:

1. The person’s condition is such that the person would be bed- or chair-confined without the use of a power wheelchair.

2. The person must need the power wheelchair use in the home. Power mobility equipment that is needed only for convenience or for recreational purposes does not qualify for Medicare benefits. Certainly the person may use the power wheelchair to go out; however, if that is the only purpose for the power wheelchair, the equipment would not be an allowable charge.

3. The person cannot propel a manual wheelchair by him- or herself. Weakness or disability of upper extremities (hands, arms, shoulders) must be present.

4. The person must demonstrate ability to safely operate the controls of the power wheelchair. Persons who might injure themselves or others while operating the power wheelchair do not qualify for Medicare reimbursement.

Regulations for scooters, or POVs (power-operated vehicles) include the qualifications above; however, the scooter must be prescribed by a specialist in Neurology, Rheumatology (arthritis), Orthopedic Surgeon, or Physiatrist (physical medicine). Scooters require more control of the trunk and the arm strength to operate the tiller.

Tip! With the rapid advancement in technology today, wheelchairs are no longer just used to get the users from one point to another; today’s wheelchairs now allows users the ability to participate in different sports for the disabled such as downhill wheelchair racing, wheelchair skiing, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis etc. Each wheelchair sport has their own customized style of wheelchair designed for speed and agility.

There are a few other guidelines that are useful:

1. Once Medicare had paid for a power wheelchair or POV, they will not pay for a manual wheelchair. If the person has a manual wheelchair that is currently being rented by Medicare, it must be returned to the Durable Medical Equipment (DME) provider. If the chair has been paid by Medicare, the wheelchair is property of the beneficiary. The manual wheelchair need not be returned in that case. If in doubt, contact the Regional Medical Equipent Carrier for your region, or contact the DME company that provided the manual wheelchair.

2. Medicare will not pay for a prosthesis once the person has a power wheelchair. If the person is a recent amputee, the person must be fitted for and receive their prosthetic leg before Medicare will pay for power mobility equipment.

Tip! Although having limited mobility doesn’t mean that you’ll just let life pass you by. To the contrary, if your fond of the outdoors then beach wheelchairs is the answer that will help you jump start your life.

3. With similar rationale, Medicare will not pay for walkers, or canes once they have paid for a power wheelchair.

Medicare regulations are always subject to change. Indeed, an organization called RAMP (Restore Access to Mobility Partnership) is currently lobbying for change in the Medicare laws that would ensure that those who need such equipment can get it.

For more information on power mobility equipment, check the Medicare web site.

Tip! Electric wheelchairs are powered by motors. They can be used indoors and outdoors and cost at least $1,500.

Kay Lowe
Mobility Specialist
http://www.health-infosource.com/power_wheelchairs.html

Kay Lowe holds a Master’s Degree in Nursing and has 30+ years in the health care field. She is currently employed as mobility specialist.

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