What Do You Do If Your Current Supplier Decides Not To Become A Grandfathered Supplier
If you have a supplier who chooses not to become a grandfathered client you have two choices:
If you want to enjoy the benefits of Part B coverage, you should locate a supplier who is contracted with Medicare. That way you wont have to pay more than 20% of the full value of the scooter. However, you can still choose to stay with your current supplier if youre happy with their service.
Will Medicare Cover Your Handicapped Scooter
Medicare is a federally funded health insurance program for people over age 65 and those with certain disabilities or medical conditions. While the Social Security Administration enrolls people in Medicare, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services runs the program. The Medicare program has several parts and Medicare Part B is dedicated to durable medical equipment such as handicap scooters.
You must meet certain conditions under Medicare Part B for the program to consider fulfilling handicap scooters Medicare reimbursement. For example, you must have a necessary and reasonable need for a mobility device such as a handicapped scooter. Additionally, you must intend to use the mobility scooter primarily in your home and receive an in-person examination from your doctor. Medicare requires your doctor to give you a written prescription for a mobility device such as a scooter before you can receive one. Your doctor must also first consider the use of a cane, walker or manual wheelchair before considering a scooter. The medical need for the scooter must also be documented in your medical records. So, take that first step towards getting coverage for Medicare handicap scooters and schedule a face-to-face appointment with your regular physician.
Eligibility Criteria For Wheelchairs
A decision memorandum by the CMS concludes that the evidence is adequate to determine that wheelchairs in the decision memorandum) are reasonable and necessary for individuals who have a personal mobility deficit sufficient to impair their performance of mobility-related activities of daily living such as toileting, feeding, dressing, grooming, and bathing. The decision memorancum provides the following criteria to be used to assess the presence of a mobility deficit to qualify an individual for a wheelchair:
Recommended Reading: Does Medicare Cover Hepatitis A Vaccine
General Use Seat And Back Cushions
A general use seat cushion is a prefabricated cushion that has the following characteristics:
A nonadjustable skin protection seat cushion is a prefabricated cushion that has the following characteristics:
What Is Dme Medical Equipment
durable medical equipment if your doctor prescribes it for use in your home. DME that Medicare covers includes, but isnt limited to: Blood sugar monitors Blood sugar test strips Canes Commode chairs Continuous passive motion devices Continuous Positive Airway Pressure devices Crutches Hospital beds Infusion pumps & supplies
Recommended Reading: Does Medicare Pay For Dtap Shots
Medicare Scooter Evaluation Form
Patients do not provide evaluation forms. Your doctor will provide the proper forms and documentation to your supplier.
The supplier and provider complete their required forms and follow Medicare procedures that are required for your scooter coverage. You can check with your doctor or with Medicare to find out the status of your evaluation and mobility scooter approval.
How Do I Get Medicare To Pay For A Mobility Scooter
The short answer is that Medicare will pay for a mobility scooter if it is deemed medically necessary. You have to get prior authorization through the medical equipment provider before you can be provided with a scooter, though.
Typically for prior authorization to be granted, you need:
- An order from a prescribing physician for the mobility scooter
- A diagnosis that indicates a need for the scooter typically, Medicare looks for a diagnosis that indicates you are physically unable to ambulate a certain amount without assistance or that you are unable to walk across a room without having serious breathing issues or other duress
- An evaluation from a medical provider that addresses your limited ability to ambulate depending on the situation, the evaluation might be conducted by a physical therapist, occupational therapist, physician or other qualified provider
If you can work with a durable medical equipment company to appropriately document your medical need for a mobility scooter, Medicare may approve the equipment. The DME company can then provide you with the scooter and bill Medicare for either rental payments or purchase price, depending on the situation.
Also Check: When Does Medicare Coverage Start
How To Get A Free Mobility Scooter Through Medicaid
Many states use the Medicare payment rates when they cover mobility scooters. Many Medicaid recipients do not pay any costs for their medical coverage. Medicaid recipients cannot, however, just select a scooter that they want and hand over their Medicaid card for coverage. The provider, supplier, and physician must all accept Medicaid and be properly enrolled in the state program.
Are you a senior that receives Medicaid QMB? You may be able to get your scooter without cost if you do, since you do not pay deductibles, co-pays or other costs. Make sure that you give the physician, supplier and provider your Medicare card and your Medicaid QMB card.
You may qualify for this program if you are on Medicare and are income-eligible. The program, called Medicare Qualified Beneficiary, is administered through Medicaid. Many people that receive Medicare also receive Medicaid QMB benefits, which cover premiums, deductibles, and co-pays.
Contact Medicare to learn more about the program and you may be able to receive extra coverage, meaning that Medicaid pays for the costs of your scooter that is not covered by Medicare. The program does not cover benefits such as dental, vision, and hearing aid costs.
When Does Medicare Cover Scooters
According to the National Institutes of Health , motorized mobility scooters are the most commonly used mobility device after power wheelchairs. There were nearly 300,000 people using scooters in 2008, the most recent year data was collected. The NIH believes that scooter use has grown significantly over the past several years.
If you have limited mobility and lack the upper body strength to operate a manual wheelchair, Part B may cover a power scooter if all of the following conditions are met:
- Your doctor certifies that you have a medical condition that limits your mobility and requires the use of a power scooter for getting around in your home.
- Your condition affects your ability to perform daily living activities such as getting in and out of bed, bathing, dressing, and using the bathroom with the help of other devices such as a cane or walker.
- You are able to safely get off and on the scooter and operate its controls, or you have someone at home who can help you operate the scooter safely.
- Both your doctor and your scooter supplier participate in Medicare.
If you are eligible for a power scooter, you pay 20% of the allowable charges for the device plus any applicable deductible.
Keep in mind that Medicare will generally not cover a scooter that is used primarily for getting around outdoors or away from the home, or for leisure or recreational use. You must need the scooter in the home to manage basic tasks of daily living.
Also Check: Is Omnipod Covered By Medicare
Cost Of Mobility Scooters
The cost of a Medicare-approved mobility scooter will vary depending on your qualifications and supplier. If your DME supplier is enrolled with Medicare and is willing to accept assignment costs, Medicare will cover a large portion of your scooter. In addition to your Part B deductible, youll be responsible for paying 20% of the amount approved by Medicare.
However, if your supplier does not accept costs or you are denied by Medicare, youll have to pay out of pocket for your mobility scooter. Well cover where to purchase mobility scooters in the next section.
Does Medicare Care About The Repair And Maintenance Costs
Machines require repairs and maintenance timely. Its an important question and every user must know about it. There are two ways how to repair based on whether you own or rent the device.
- If you own the vehicle, you can visit any suitable supplier to repair from the list available at Medicare.gov/supplierdirectory.
- If the vehicle is on rent then you must call or visit the specific supplier. The supplier must answer your calls and gives regular services.
You dont need to worry about repair costs if you have proof that Medicare paid for your vehicle and it is part of medically necessary equipment for you. If your supplier doesnt respond, You should take support from Vermont Legal Aid at 1-800-889-2047.
In case, you couldnt verify your proper document to the supplier you will be responsible to pay all the costs yourself.
Read Also: Does Medicare Cover Tooth Extraction
Does Medicare Cover Stair Lifts
Stair lifts are a mobility aid many people use to travel up and down stairs in their homes. Medicare considers stair lifts to be home modifications rather than DME, therefore, Original Medicare doesnt cover them.
However, some Medicare Advantage plans may cover some of the costs of buying and installing a stair lift chair.
Assistance With Activities Of Daily Living
There are a number of activities of daily living that are related to mobility. This includes being able to prepare and eat meals, take a bath, use the toilet or move around your home from one room to another.
Your power scooter will be considered reasonable and necessary if you are unable to perform these activities of daily living safely and in a timely manner without it.
Also Check: What Is Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage
Does Insurance Cover Electric Wheelchairs
Are you considering purchasing a power wheelchair but are asking yourself Does insurance pay for power wheelchairs? youre at the right place. In this blog post, Ill explain what the process is for buying an electric wheelchair with insurance by going over the pros and cons. Like most things, the tips and information in this blog post may not apply to certain insurance policies and coverage so its best that you contact your insurance provider to get exact answers to your questions about your specific policy as there are thousands of insurance companies and policy types available with a variety of options. In this blog post, well cover what its like using insurance for most policies .
How Much Does Medicare Pay For A Scooter
Scooters, also called power-operated vehicles, are often covered by Medicare if you meet the requirements. But if you do qualify, how much does a motorized scooter cost? The answer depends on your needs scooters can range in price from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Like wheelchairs and other durable medical equipment, scooters are covered at 80% by Medicare Part B. You will pay 20%. The Part B deductible will need to be met before Medicare will begin paying its portion for your mobility scooter. If you have Medicare Advantage, you may have different coverage and pricing if you need a mobility scooter.
Also Check: Will Medicare Pay For Drug Rehab
Downfalls To Using Bluecross To Buy A Power Chair
Like all insurance providers, BCBS doesnt want to cover anyone who wants a power wheelchair as a convenience item or to supplement the use of a manual wheelchair when your arms are sore from traveling long distances. It has to be an absolute necessity, not a luxury item primarily used for convenience. I managed to find a resource page from a BCBS agency online which lays out in technical terms what the steps are to get Bluecross coverage for an electric wheelchair. For those of you looking to find out how you can cover for your next purchase, I encourage you to .
Does Bluecross Blueshield Cover Power Wheelchairs
As it turns out Bluecross Blueshield does cover power wheelchair purchases under certain circumstances which are similar to what most insurance companies require. The policyholder must see a doctor and the doctor must provide documentation indicating that the patient requires a powered mobility product in order to carry out day to day functions, has the necessary skills needed to operate a powered mobility product, expected to have a long-term disability and that the patient is going to need the mobility product for a reasonable period of time . If youre physically unable to use your upper body to perform day-to-day activities and you meet all requirements you can get reimbursed after you buy a power chair. To see the most up-to-date information regarding BCBSs coverage for wheelchairs and scooters visit the official Bluecross BlueShield website.
If time is a factor, for example, if youre trying to get your power wheelchair before having to leave town for an important event or if you have to travel for business then you may not want to seek coverage through BCBS or any insurer for that matter. It can take months for the paperwork to go through needed for you to become approved and they wont cover anything more than the most basic models available .
Also Check: Do You Have Dental With Medicare
What Parts Of Medicare Cover Mobility Scooters
Medicare is made up of parts A, B, C, D, and Medigap.
- Medicare Part A is part of original Medicare. It covers inpatient hospital services, hospice care, nursing facility care, and home health care services.
- Medicare Part B is also part of original Medicare. It covers medically necessary services and supplies. It also covers preventive care.
- Medicare Part C is also called Medicare Advantage. Part C is purchased from private insurers. It covers everything parts A and B do, but typically includes additional coverage for prescription drugs, dental, hearing, and vision. Part C plans vary in terms of what they cover and cost.
- Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage. There are multiple plans available from private insurance companies. Plans provide a list of covered medications and how much they cost, known as a formulary.
- Medigap is supplemental insurance sold by private insurers. Medigap helps pay for some of the out-of-pocket costs from parts A and B, such as deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
What Are Mobility Aids
Mobility aids, such as wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, canes, crutches, prosthetic devices, and orthotic devices. Hearing aids to help people hear or hear more clearly. Cognitive aids, including computer or electrical assistive devices, to help people with memory, attention, or other challenges in their thinking skills.
Also Check: What Age Can You Get Medicare Health Insurance
Medicare Advantage Scooter Coverage
Medicare Advantage plans are private insurance policies that can provide coverage for more services than Original Medicare. Even though Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage sounds similar, they are actually very different.
Medigap plans help pay for Original Medicare-related fees. Medicare Advantage plans offer coverage for the same services as Original Medicare, but they can also offer additional benefits such as hearing, dental, vision, and fitness classes. You cannot have both a Medicare Supplement and a Medicare Advantage plan, so its best to meet with an agent to learn whats right for you.
A Medicare Advantage plan may offer reduced fees for mobility scooters, however, your exact cost depends on your plan.
Controllers For Power Wheelchairs
The term controller describes the electronics that connect the interface to the motor and gears in the power wheelchair base.
Electronic connections between wheelchair controllers and power seating system motors describe the electronic components that allow the user to control two or more of the following motors from a single interface : power wheelchair drive, power tilt, power recline, power shear reduction, power leg elevation, power seat elevation, power standing. It includes a function selection switch which allows the user to select the motor that is being controlled and an indicator feature to visually show which function has been selected. When the wheelchair drive function has been selected, the indicator feature may also show the direction that has been selected . This indicator feature may be in a separate display box or may be integrated into the wheelchair interface. It includes the fixed mounting hardware for the control box and for the display box .
Also Check: How Much Does Medicare Part B Cost At Age 65
