Medicare Guidelines for Power Wheelchairs & Home Evaluations
If you have Medicare Part B and you need a power wheelchair to get around your house, your doctor can complete the necessary Medicare forms for you. Although you'll have to meet your deductible and pay a portion of the cost, Medicare will pay for a power wheelchair if you can safely use it in your home and you have a medical need for one.-
Power Wheelchair Eligibility
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If you're unable to use a cane, walker or manual wheelchair, and you can't use a scooter because it's difficult for you to sit upright and operate its controls, you may be eligible for a power wheelchair. Power wheelchairs are covered under Medicare Part B. If you are eligible for this benefit, Medicare pays 80 percent of its approved amount, after you've paid your Medicare Part B deductible, and you are responsible for the remaining 20 percent.
To be considered eligible for a power wheelchair, you must need to use it inside your home and have a health condition that requires having help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, toileting and getting around your house. You must also have good vision, be able to get on and off the wheelchair and operate it safely or have assistance while you use it. You must also have enough clearance in your home to operate the wheelchair.
Before you can qualify, a doctor must see you and submit the proper forms to Medicare explaining why you need the wheelchair and verifying that you can use it safely. Medicare will not approve a power wheelchair to be used primarily for leisure activities or outside your home.
After approval, you will be permitted to rent or buy the wheelchair. If you need it for a long period of time, buying is probably the better choice. However, if your need is temporary, renting might save you money.
Fraud
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The Social Security Administration advises that, although most medical-equipment suppliers are honest, you might encounter one who fraudulently offers power wheelchairs to people who aren't eligible under Medicare's guidelines. Such dealers might offer to give you a free wheelchair or not collect your co-payment. They might bill Medicare for a wheelchair you didn't receive or continue billing after you returned it. You can report fraud by calling (800) MEDICARE or (800) 633-4227.
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