Tuesday.07-March-2023
Does Medicare pay for wheelchairs?
If your doctor determines that you need medication to help you get out of bed and into a wheelchair, Medicare Part B will cover 80% of this cost. You will be responsible for the remaining 20%.
In some cases, Medicare pays for the wheelchair rental or purchase.You must meet certain Medicare requirements.
Make sure the doctor and company providing your wheelchair are approved by Medicare.
If you have a medical condition that prevents you from moving freely around your home, and a rope or walker is not enough, then a wheelchair may be the solution to your mobility problem.
Medicare Part B covers several different types of wheelchairs as long as you meet certain prerequisites.
When does Medicare cover wheelchairs?
Manual wheelchair
Powerful scooter
Electric wheelchair
What about wheelchair ramps?
If you have Medicare, how much does it cost to own a wheelchair?
If you know you need a wheelchair, which Medicare plans might be best for you?
Does Medicare pay for other mobile resources?
When does Medicare cover wheelchairs?
Medicare Part B will most likely pay for your wheelchair if your primary care physician (PCP) or health care provider treats you for a condition that affects your mobility and prescribes it for them. Your doctor's prescription should clearly state:
Medical conditions can cause mobility problems and make it impossible for you to meet your daily needs. For example, you have a medical condition that prevents you from getting to the bathroom or kitchen safely, even if you use a cane, walker, or crutch.
You can safely drive the equipment you are looking for, or have someone at home help you use your wheelchair if you need it.
Both your doctor and your medical device supplier are Medicare-eligible providers. There are provider lists, and you can ask your doctor and device company to see if they allow Medicare.
You can use the device safely in your home without injury or accidents due to uneven floors, obstacles in the road, or doors that are too narrow for your wheelchair.
Medicare covers wheelchairs shared on Pinterest
What wheelchairs are covered by Medicare?
Wheelchairs are considered durable medical equipment (DME). There are three main types of wheelchairs: manual, scooter and electric.
What type of wheelchair Medicare will cover depends on your medical condition and your doctor's recommendation.
Manual wheelchair
If you are physically strong enough to get in and out of a manual wheelchair and operate it as needed, then this wheelchair may be a good choice for you.
Even if you don't have the upper body strength to use a manual wheelchair, you can still buy one at home that will help you get in and out of it and help you use it safely.
If your mobility difficulties are temporary - for example, you had knee replacement surgery and plan to walk again soon - you may want to consider renting equipment instead of buying it.
Powerful scooter
Medicare may pay for the scooter if you cannot safely use a manual wheelchair. To qualify for a scooter, you will need to see a doctor in person to confirm that you are strong enough to get on and off the scooter and remain upright while riding.
As with manual wheelchairs, you can decide if renting is better than buying the equipment outright.
Electric wheelchair
In order to purchase a disabled wheelchair, a doctor must personally examine you. After the examination, your doctor must write a medical order stating that you can safely use the wheelchair and why you need it.
Certain types of wheelchairs require "pre-approval" to be obtained. This means you need Medicare approval to buy or rent equipment. Requests for prior authorization must be supported by your medical order and the forms provided by your medical equipment provider.
You or your medical equipment supplier can provide the necessary documentation to the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment Administrative Contractor (DME MAC). You should get a decision from DME MAC approximately 10 days after you apply.
If Medicare does not approve your purchase, you have the right to appeal that decision. You or your medical device supplier can explain in more detail the conditions required for the device to work at home.
Does Medicare cover patient relocation?
If your doctor determines that you need medication to help you get out of bed and into a wheelchair, Medicare Part B will cover 80% of this cost. You will be responsible for the remaining 20%.
Medicare designates elevators as Durable Medical Devices (Dmes).
What about wheelchair ramps?
While wheelchair ramps are medically necessary, Medicare Part B does not consider wheelchair ramps to be durable medical equipment and therefore does not cover the cost of wheelchair ramps. If you want to install a wheelchair ramp, you will need to pay for it yourself.
If you have Medicare, how much does it cost to own a wheelchair?
Medicare Part B pays 80 percent of the cost of the wheelchair after paying the annual deductible