Power Wheelchair Considerations

Wheelchairs have been developed for all kinds of people and have been designed to meet their needs. And as society evolves so are wheelchairs. Hence, power wheelchairs have been developed to enhance the quality of life of disabled individuals. They have been a result of innovation in the market. Power wheelchairs are basically wheelchairs that do not need to Read more…

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There is increasing concern over the number of falls elderly people suffer every year. It is estimated that 300,000 people over the age of 65 will fracture a hip annually. Since most hip fractures are the result of a fall, prevention and awareness of mobility aids is very important.

Many people are unaware of the variety of mobility equipment available to them to improve safety and their quality of life. Most seniors do not realize that this equipment is available to the Medicare recipient when certain criteria is met.

An excellent aid for many people is the power wheelchair, also called a motorized wheelchair or electric wheelchair. Not to be confused with a scooter or electric scooter. Such equipment is covered by Medicare and other private insurances if the person meets the following criteria:

1) Currently has a manual wheelchair or has a need for one medically to complete the activities of daily living. One must be chair or bed confined.

2) Is unable to propel him or herself in a manual wheelchair due to heart, lung, or respiratory problems such as Diabetes, CVA (stroke), COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), etc. This is one area that is misunderstood by families, caregivers, and most physicians. Most believe that the ailment must be external and cannot be internal. However the fact is that people with respiratory illness, for example, may have a harder time self-propelling a manual wheelchair and can easily harm themselves further by doing so, than those that have a lack of arm strength.

3) Finally and probably most importantly, the person must be able to operate the chair safely. If there are cognitive issues, it is unlikely this mobility aid would be the best product for this type of person. Also, if someone does not have the capacity in the hands to operate the control, this would also cause a safety concern. The control is most probably a joystick.

In order to find out if someone qualifies for such equipment, contact should be made to a distributor of power wheelchairs that bills Medicare. Simply by asking any distributor if they bill Medicare is enough as they will know what is meant by the question.

The majority of distributors that bill insurance will bill directly with proper physician documentation and no money should be required upfront. There could be a deductible and some money that the beneficiary will be responsible for upon or after delivery, but that should be disclosed by the distributor upon ordering. These type of companies also should help you through the entire process. It is definately an option to be explored.

A power wheelchair can be the gift of freedom and independence for a frail or disabled loved one. It can also mean a safer and less risky life for them, one where the threat of a nasty fall is greatly reduced.

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How To Get An Electric Wheelchair Through Medicare

Below are the steps needed to qualify for an electric wheelchair through Medicare.

The first step in the process is getting a prescription from your doctor. You will need to make an appointment for a mobility evaluation with your physician. This face-to-face visit must be focused on your mobility needs; it cannot be a general appointment. Read more…

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What You Should Know About Power Wheelchair Lifts

Although the cost of a power wheelchair lift is higher than a “manual” lift that requires a lot of muscle-power as well as just plain annoyance, the new breakthroughs in this technology is well worth the price. Is there some sort of unwritten rule that otherwise healthy people who are confined to a wheelchair have no choice but to sit at home Read more…

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Staying Mobile With A Power Wheelchair Or Scooter Despite Immobility

When immobility is a part of life, mobility remains an option with the use of power wheelchairs and scooters. Just because illness or injury has left the body unable to maintain mobility does not mean that movement needs to be restricted. Power wheelchairs and scooters are there to bring movement back where motion has ceased. Read more…

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