Mobility Scooters and Medicare

Everyone would like a Mobility scooter to be covered by Medicare or their insurance company. The fact is insurance companies make it difficult for you to pass the requirements needed to qualify for the 80% return. Let alone paying for the whole thing. What if you had an edge? Here is my first hand account and how it will help you too receive a power wheelchair or scooter.

• Are you 65 or older and looking for improved mobility?
• Have you been diagnosed with a movement-restricting disease like Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease?
• Are you a loved one or relative of someone who needs help getting around?

It is possible to regain your mobility without costing you an arm and leg. But there is one major hurdle you must cross. That hurdle is you! Only you can decide to take action and start the process of receiving a mobility aid. It is a process that must be acted upon and seen through to the end but it is possible to be covered by Insurance or Medicare and receive a power chair or mobility scooter at little to no cost.

Here is the skinny!

Medicare can take up to 3 years to process a claim. Mobility Scooters are extremely difficult to get covered if not impossible. (Ask your retailer) You can receive a power wheelchair with 80% refund (with Plan B). The other 20% can be covered if you have Medicaid or a Supplemental Insurance Policy. The trick is to know the process and what to expect.

Is your primary coverage by someone other than Medicare? Look into your policy for something called DME or Durable Medical Equipment. This will allow a substantial refund similar to Medicare. In Conjunction with supplemental insurance you can still receive a power wheelchair at little to no cost to you. The trick is to know the process and what to expect.

If your injury is work related I suggest looking into workers compensation. They will guide you to the procedures needed to receive a mobility aid.

Make sure your mobility retailer is enrolled with Medicare. Whether it is an online retailer or a brick and mortar outlet they can help dramatically in the speed of receiving a mobility chair. (Many retailers will cover the cost internally and send out the power chair) Retailers have a choice in what level they enroll with Medicare. Some are just enrolled and others are participating members. Meaning they can only charge the exact amount requested by Medicare. I suggest finding a full participating retailer. (Save yourself a headache) These companies handle thousands of claims just like yours and can help with the burden and hassle of processing your claim.

Your Doctor will be the next hurdle that you will need to tackle. He is trained to ask specific questions that if answered wrong will put the kibosh on your power wheelchair.

If there was some way to know what he was going to ask you would have an advantage. So here goes a list of questions a Doctor might ask you to qualify you  for a mobility device.

1. On a daily basis would you say that you required assistance with one or more household tasks? (Eating, dressing or going to the bathroom)
2. Can any of these problems be solved with a non powered device like a cane, walker or wheelchair?
3. Do you have another disorder like blindness or dementia that would prevent the use of a powered wheelchair?
4. Is your home adequately roomy enough to accommodate a powered wheelchair? (Do yourself a favor and measure your hallway and doorway entrances)
5. Do you have access to a caregiver that would eliminate the need of a powered mobility device?

Don’t rule out the non enrolled retailers. Strict guidelines have caused some retailers to choose to sell online at deeply discounted prices. These retailers have access to quality products and can afford to sell them online cheap. So if for some reason your Medicare or Insurance will not cover your mobility needs there are affordable options for you to choose from.