| |
|
|
Power chairs Scooters
and Lift Chairs
 |
What is a Power Chair aka "Power Wheel Chair":
Power
wheelchairs evolved from the standard wheelchair and allow enhanced
mobility for anyone who uses a wheelchair. They are widely available
and they also have a huge variety of features differing by brand and
type of power chair. If you know the features you want from an
electric wheelchair, shopping becomes a lot easier.
Before you buy a new electric wheelchair, consider the following:
1)
Know what type of features for mobility you want from your power
electric wheelchair.
2)
Look at the different types of drive mechanisms of power chairs to
pick the one that's best for you.
3)
Browse the chairs offered by popular and trusted brands.
4)
Check out mobility scooters in addition to motorized wheelchairs.
5)
Don't forget to look at mobility accessories.
6)
If purchasing from Medicare be sure to see how much replacement
parts cost. Batteries
usually need to be replaced yearly.
Also, some manufactures charge dealers more for new motors
that what Medicare allows.
|
| |
|
| Payment: |
We accept assignment on
electric wheelchairs. If you qualify we deliver the power chair to
you and bill Medicare or your private insurance company for payment.
Sorry, we do not handle any HMO insurances
because they have closed their enrollment and do not want any new
dealers. To see if you qualify for a power wheelchair:
1)
Your doctor must complete a form called a Certificate of Medical
necessity (CMN).
2)
We must
also collect a prescription from your doctor as well as a medical
evaluation by your doctor or physical therapist. The way that your
doctor answers the questions on the CMN will determine if the power
wheelchair is a medical
necessity.
3) We will verify your eligibility for payment with your
insurance company. We will then contact you an discuss the
next steps in acquiring your new Power chair.
Here is what Medicare states as the medical criteria that must be
met in order to qualify:
An electric wheelchair is usually covered when all of the
following criteria are met:
·
The patient's
condition is such that without the use of a wheelchair the patient
would be bed or chair confined, and
·
The patient's
condition is such that a wheelchair is medically necessary and the
patient is unable to operate a wheelchair manually, and
·
The patient is
capable of safely
operating the controls for the scooter or power
wheelchair.
|
| Back to Top |
|
Scooter
 |
What is a scooter:
From
www.Wikipedia.org
"A mobility scooter has a seat over two rear
wheels,
a flat area for the
feet,
and
handlebars in front to turn one or two steerable wheels. The
seat may swivel to allow access when the front is blocked by the
handlebars. Mobility scooters are usually
battery powered. A battery or two is stored on board the scooter
and is charged via an onboard or separate
battery charger unit from standard
electric power."
"The tiller, with forward/reverse directions and speed controls,
is the steering column centrally located at the front of the
scooter. Direction can be controlled by thumb paddles, finger
controls, or a switch. There are two types of mobility scooters:
front-wheel drive (FD) or rear-wheel drive (RD). The FD is usually a
smaller device and is best used indoors. Rider weight capacity is
generally upwards to 250 pounds maximum. The RD is used both indoors
and outdoors with rider weight capacity of 350 pounds. A heavy duty
RD is capable of carrying up to 500 pounds, varying by
manufacturer."
"Allan
R. Thieme built the first mobility scooter in 1968, in
Bridgeport, Michigan. Thieme was personally motivated to create
this product in order to help a family member diagnosed with
multiple sclerosis. This first mobility scooter, a front-wheel drive
model, was conceived and built at his home. The Amigo, as it was
brand-named, initiated the entire “scooter” industry. Today,
Amigo Mobility International Inc headquarters is located in
Bridgeport, Mich."
"Mobility scooters are now available in a wide range of models,
from tiny folding travel scooters to heavy-duty
bariatric models. Scooters are commonly available for loaner use
at public facilities, such as
grocery stores and for rent at theme parks/amusement parks."
|
| |
|
| Payment |
If you purchase a scooter
from us Medicare and Private insurance may reimburse you if you meet
there coverage criteria. We will determine your eligibility
before we do anything else.
We will let you know what your insurance will pay.
Because we accept what your insurance companies pay, we won’t
bill you for any other charges. We
file the claim with Medicare, or private insurances that will pay us
for our services. Sorry, we do not handle
any HMO insurances because they have closed their enrollment and do
not want any new dealers.
In order to file a claim with Medicare for a scooter,
we must get a prescription for an electric scooter, a Certificate of
Medical Necessity ( CMN ) and a current medical evaluation. The
Certificate of Medical Necessity (CMN), and all other paperwork is
used by Medicare to determine if the scooter is a medical
necessity.
An electric scooter is usually covered when all of the
following criteria is met:
·
A electric
scooter is usually covered only if it is ordered by a physician who
is in one of the following specialties: Physical Medicine,
Orthopedic Surgery, Neurology or Rheumatology
·
The patient must
be unable to operate a manual wheelchair.
·
The patients
condition must be such that a POV is required for the patient to get
around in his or her residence. A POV that is beneficial only in
allowing the patient to perform leisure or recreational activities
will be denied as not medically necessary.
|
Lift Chair
 |
What is a Lift Chair:
With limited mobility you may have difficulty getting up from a
chair. There are specially designed power lift chairs that solve
this problem. These lift chairs have many features to choose from
and offer a wide range of color and fabrics styles. Here is a list
of questions you should ask before purchasing a lift chair:
·
What is the height of person using lift chair?
·
What is the weight of user? Most will hold 375lbs-450lbs
·
Specific accessories like heat or massage?
·
Is it a 2 or 3 position lift chair?
·
Are you left or right handed for lift chair control position?
·
Will the lift chair be used for sleeping?
·
What re the seat depth and width requirements?.
·
Do you want Single or dual motors?
|
| |
|
| Payment |
Medicare
does not pay the entire cost of a lift chair. If you qualify they
only reimburse on the lift motor.
This is usually
$300 but may vary with chair type, manufacturer, etc.
In order to file a claim with Medicare for a lift chair, a
Certificate of Medical Necessity ( CMN ) is required to be filled
out by your doctor and filed with your claim. As with Power Chairs
and Scooters we collect all the necessary paperwork for you.
We then contact you to discuss your payment options
The CMN is used by Medicare
to determine if the Lift Chair is a medical
necessity.
A Lift Chair is usually covered when all of the following
criteria is met:
1.
The patient must have severe arthritis of the hip or knee, or have a
neuromuscular condition.
2.
The seat lift mechanism must be part of the physicians course of
treatment and be prescribed to effect improvement or arrest or
retard deterioration in the patient’s condition.
3.
The patient must be completely incapable of standing up from a
regular armchair or any chair in their home.
4.
Once standing, the
patient must have the ability to ambulate.
|
|
|
|
|
