Medicare Electric Wheelchair

I had one that was paid for by insurance in 1997 or 98. I only used it off and on but eventually it got so beat up I just got rid of it. I think another bad spell is on it's way but I'm not sure if Medicare would pay for another.

Medicare considers the lifespan of a power wheelchair 5 years. Therfore, they would cover one for you now. But, standards are much much higher than they were 10 years ago. There are TONS of things the doctor has to address, in a visit you have with him for a chair. The doctor used to just have to write a script and letter and that would be fine. Medicare basically wants you to be unable to walk at all, which the doctor would have to state in his medical records. Although, there are still suppliers out there that will fraudulently file for a power wheelchair without having the correct documentation. In turn, those types of suppliers are reposessing these wheelchairs when they get audited by Medicare, leaving you empty-handed. Just beware. If you visit your doctor and get your chair within a couple of days, I would be a little weary. Good luck!

2009-12-22 10:49:15 by Betsy

Hoveround power wheelchairs give you back the independence and mobility to stay in your own home. Maneuverability and the unique Round for a ...

I have a Gum disease that is caused from Diabetes and I will lose all of my teeth soon. My gums are receding and once in a while my mouth gets infected because of loose teeth and food particles get lodged in places I cant remove with a toothpick or anything. I hear you can die from the poison or infections that these conditions relate to. why can I get a wheelchair for mobility and Medicare could pay for it but in a more severe since I could die or suffer 10 times the pain from the diabetes related gum disease but I cant get the help that I can for just the convenience of an electric powered chair that probably cost more then it would for me to get help with dentures. Do I need to get sick and almost die from dental problems to get help or is Death the only way to deal with this trouble?

The first person obviously doesn't know what medicare is. I'm sorry this is happening to you, but basically the reason you aren't getting covered is that our healthcare is very flawed and that's why there is such a big push to get it reformed. Until then, you can try talking to your doctor to see if there are any loopholes you can get through to get it covered somehow. Even if you do not get covered, you should probably get it treated if you can given the serious consequences you stated.

2008-01-06 20:22:59 by David J

Reading a great book called "You: the smart patient", and found my PCP (call him Dr G) to be quite inept. While his physicians assistant is normally the one I see, my PCP will be torn away from whatever he does to avoid patients if and when I go into the hospital.
I have decided he is the last person on the face of the Earth for me. No matter what my medical condition when I see him, it is always the same answer. He hands me a 5th generation photocopy of a one page low-fat diet and sends me out. My stepdad (in his 80s) can hardly walk to the street and is constantly on oxygen. He bought an old wheelchair from a neighbor, but barely has strength to push himself. Whe he asked for the doctor's help in getting an electric wheelchair, the doctor said, oh, medicare won't pay for one of those for you! You can still walk. He treated this great WWII ex-Marine like dirt. I deicded that was it. I do not want him or anyone he would suggest. Anyone (esp. from the medical field) have suggestions??

I'm sure there are plenty of doctors in Irving Txas that will show an ex-Marine the respect he deserves. Try looking here http://www.ucomparehealthcare.com/drs/te xas/IRVING.html and take a free report to compare the doctors you are considering. It's really too bad that so many doctors "practice medicine" for the wrong reasons. They care too much about what expensive outfit they're wearing to be bothered to actually work with the people that end up paying for these fancy luxuries. They give the doctors that really care a bad name.

2007-02-01 23:24:02 by Too Curious

http://www.youtube.com/nudrive08

There's a device called NuDrive that I would like to get for my wheelchair. It cost only $600, not including shipping, but I have a nephew in the military whose assigned there who can buy it for me. Comparable devices made in the U.S., have a starting cost of $4000.

It was approved for sale in England last year. It takes up to three years to FDA approvals. I would like to get out more, but I don't want to use an electric chair or scooter, as you get no exercise using them. I think they have been very harmful to the health of the elderly and many with disabilities.

Of interest, Medicare and private insurance will cover the cost of a $6000 electric wheelchair or scooter, but will not cover the cost of even the America made devices that are similar.

Import laws would be the issue, although I can't see why it would be. I don't know the specifics, but there are laws about importing unapproved medical devices.

I can't see how this could violate such a law, as it isn't really a medical device. I know, stranger things may be called a medical device, but it seems more that the electric scooter/chair folks would be the ones crying about this, not the FDA.

Just label the package "chair parts" (which is the truth) and send it. All they can do is ask you want sort of chair parts they are. Handles would be a good answer... (G)

2009-07-12 17:30:57 by George McCasland

http://www.youtube.com/nudrive08

There's a device called NuDrive that I would like to get for my wheelchair. It cost only $600, not including shipping, but I have a nephew in the military whose assigned there who can buy it for me. Comparable devices made in the U.S., have a starting cost of $4000.

It was approved for sale in England last year. It takes up to three years to FDA approvals. I would like to get out more, but I don't want to use an electric chair or scooter, as you get no exercise using them. I think they have been very harmful to the health of the elderly and many with disabilities.

Of interest, Medicare and private insurance will cover the cost of a $6000 electric wheelchair or scooter, but will not cover the cost of even the America made devices that are similar.

Don't quote me on the law but I think that should be legal.

It is legal to import medications that are not FDA approved or have any US license. I import a medication that is not available on the US or Canadian market but it is over the counter in New Zealand. And that is legal.

Worst that could happen is that it would be impounded. But I can't imagine that happening.

2009-07-12 17:32:35 by George McCasland