Medicare Supplement Plans Can Help Cover Your Mobility Scooter
If you use a mobility scooter that is covered by Medicare, a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan can help cover some of the Medicare costs you may face, such as deductibles and coinsurance.
For example, each of the 10 standardized Medigap plans that are available in most states provide at least partial coverage for the Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayments you typically have to pay for covered mobility scooters.
A licensed agent can help you decide on a Medicare option that works for you. Call today to speak with a licensed agent and compare the Medigap plans that are available where you live.
To Get A Wheelchair You Will Need To Fulfill A Number Of Circumstances
Your wheelchair or scooter will likely be coated provided that your physician and your gear provider are enrolled in Medicare.
Medicare pays most of the price of your wheelchair or scooter if all of those circumstances are met:
- Your physician submits an order stating your medical want for a wheelchair or scooter.
- Youve gotten a well being situation that makes it tough so that you can transfer round your private home.
- You possibly cant do actions of every day residing reminiscent of getting away from bed and bathing with a cane or walker.
- Youre in a position to safely use a wheelchair or scooter by yourself, otherwise you at all times have somebody accessible to help.
- The format of your private home will accommodate a wheelchair.
Possible Alternative Coverage Options
Knee scooters do not meet the coverage requirements for Original Medicare or Medicare Part B. However, Medicare Advantage plans and dual-eligibility plans of Medicare Advantage and Medicaid may offer coverage for some or all of the costs of certain mobility devices. Whether coverage will be provided depends on the specifics of each state and insurer, so it’s best for recipients to contact their providers to learn more about available coverage and benefits.
You May Like: Is Dental Care Included In Medicare
Scooters For Seniors: The Bottom Line
Medicare is making it more difficult for folks who want help with purchasing a scooter today. One of our community members Dennis has this to say about Medicare reimbursement for scooters Medicare rarely pays for senior scooters. We submit claims all the time and they always deny them. You will end up paying out of pocket for a senior scooter.
So the best thing you can do today if you feel youre eligible for Medicare assistance is to follow the new strict guidelines and work with a sanctioned DME provider in your local community.
If you have tips to share, or would like to comment on this issue give us a shout in the comments below.
Amie Clark
Amie has been writing about senior care products and services for the last decade. She is particularly passionate about new technologies that help improve the quality of life for seniors and their families. Seeing her parents and grandparents age made Amie ask herself, Would this be good enough for my loved ones? In her spare time, Amie enjoys outdoor adventures and spontaneous road trips. Learn more about Amie here
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 .
Don’t Miss: How To Learn Medicare Billing
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.
Medigap Coverage For Scooters
Medigap plans may also help with coverage of out-of-pocket costs, such as your Medicare Part B deductible. Individual plans vary, so be sure to check first.
TIP
For the cost of your scooter to be covered, you must get it from a Medicare-approved supplier who accepts assignment. A list of Medicare-approved suppliers can be found here.
Don’t Miss: Am I Qualified For Medicare
What Does Medicare Cover
Medicare is a federally funded program that provides health insurance to people age 65 and over. Medicare also covers certain individuals with disabilities. Medicare covers traditional medical treatments and some equipment. One such equipment category is Durable Medical Equipment, or DME, which includes mobility devices like power wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
Medicare coverage comes with some requirements. To be eligible for Medicare coverage, DME must be designated for use primarily at home. A site visit might be needed to ensure your home can accommodate a scooter.
Medicare will also only cover mobility devices that are deemed medically necessary. Your physician is responsible for assessing your needs and writing a prescription.
Medicare Advantage Plans Can Cover Wheelchairs Walkers And Wheelchair Ramps
While wheelchair ramps are not covered by Original Medicare , they may be covered by certain Medicare Advantage plans .
A Medicare Advantage plans provides all the same basic benefits as Original Medicare, which means that Medicare Advantage plans cover wheelchairs and walkers the same way that Original Medicare does.
Most Medicare Advantage plans also offer additional benefits not covered by Original Medicare. Starting in 2019, a set of additional benefits approved for coverage by Medicare Advantage plans may include a number of aging in place items, such as home wheelchair ramps and bathroom grab bars. Check plan benefits to see if these services or items may be covered.
To learn more about Medicare Advantage plans and to compare plans in your area, call to speak with a licensed insurance agent today.
Or call 1-800-557-6059TTY Users: 711 to speak with a licensed insurance agent. We accept calls 24/7!
About the author
Christian Worstell is a senior Medicare and health insurance writer with MedicareAdvantage.com. He is also a licensed health insurance agent. Christian is well-known in the insurance industry for the thousands of educational articles hes written, helping Americans better understand their health insurance and Medicare coverage.
Christians work as a Medicare expert has appeared in several top-tier and trade news outlets including Forbes, MarketWatch, WebMD and Yahoo! Finance.
Read Also: How Much Is Medicare B Cost
How To Get Medicare To Cover Your Wheelchair Or Scooter
To get started, youll want to schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor or another doctor that is currently treating you. During this face-to-face appointment, youll want to discuss all of your mobility challenges. Explain why you feel you need a wheelchair or scooter.
Being unable to do normal, day-to-day activities inside your home, such as:
- Getting out of bed
- Dressing yourself
- Getting to the bathroom
The above are all acceptable reasons for requesting DME. Its essential to clearly communicate with your doctor what limitations youre facing. This will ensure they prescribe you the correct type of device.
Equipment And Supplies Excluded From Medicare Coverage
2022-7-24·Items that get thrown away after use or that are not used with equipment. For example, Medicare does not cover incontinence pads, catheters, surgical facemasks, or compression leggings. However, if you receive home health care, Medicare pays for some disposable suppliesâincluding intravenous supplies, gauze, and cathetersâas part of your …
Also Check: Does Medicare Rated Assisted Living Facilities
Is Hoveround Covered By Medicare
If you meet their criteria, Medicare will pay 80% of the cost of your Hoveround, and if you have met your deductibles, your supplemental insurance may cover the remaining 20% of the cost. Insurance coverage depends on medical necessity which is determined by your insurer. A valid doctors prescription is required.
Medicare Requirements For Scooters And Power Chairs
People who have become disabled and can no longer walk, or cannot walk without difficulty, may benefit from a mobility scooter or powerchair. Although TV commercials suggest that the process is fast and painless, your healthcare provider will fill out paperwork that will help you to receive a scooter or power chair at little or no cost, many disabled individuals and their caregivers find out that the process can be much more difficult. The authorization process sometimes requires several trips to a healthcare provider or specialist and conforming to complex Medicare rules.
Also Check: What Preventive Care Does Medicare Cover
To Get A Wheelchair You Must Satisfy Several Conditions
Your wheelchair or scooter will be covered only if your doctor and your equipment supplier are enrolled in Medicare.
Medicare will pay most of the cost of your wheelchair or scooter if all of these conditions are met:
-
Your doctor submits an order stating your medical need for a wheelchair or scooter.
-
You have a health condition that makes it difficult for you to move around your home.
-
You cant do activities of daily living such as getting out of bed and bathing with a cane or walker.
-
Youre able to safely use a wheelchair or scooter on your own, or you always have someone available to assist.
-
The layout of your home will accommodate a wheelchair.
Requirements For Mobility Scooter Coverage
Its helpful to look at Medicares mobility options as a set of stairs. If the mobility aids on one step arent sufficient, you move to the next. The first step is manual mobility aids like walkers and hand-operated wheelchairs. The baseline requirements include:
- The patient is unable to complete daily tasks such as using the bathroom and moving around the kitchen.
- The mobility limitation is not resolved with use of a walker or cane.
- The patient doesnt have the requisite arm and hand strength to operate a manual wheelchair.
If a person is unable to thrive with manual aids, they could be eligible to move to the next step of using a mobility scooter. To be considered for coverage of a mobility scooter, you need to meet the following requirements.
- The patient can safely transfer to and from the scooter.
- The user can operate the tiller steering system.
- The patient can stay safely seated while operating the scooter at home.
- They have the mental and physical ability to operate the device.
- Their home has adequate space to use the mobility scooter.
- Using a scooter will significantly improve the patients ability to complete everyday tasks.
- The patient is willing to use the mobility scooter at home.
If a mobility scooter is not the right option, then the top step is a power wheelchair.
Also Check: What Is A Medicare Plus Card
How Much Will It Cost Me
If your DME provider accepts the Medicare assignment costs, youll be paying 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, and then the Part B deductible applies. Medicare.gov says, depending on the type of equipment, you may need to rent the equipment, you may need to buy the equipment, or you may be able to choose whether to rent or buy the equipment.
After youve visited your doctor, and he/she has written you a prescription for a scooter, you can obtain details from a DME provider, and they can share options with you. General prices for a decent scooter will range from $750-$2,000.
Will Medicare Pay For A Wheelchair
Summary:
Medicare Part B typically covers wheelchairs at 80% under certain conditions as durable medical equipment . Your doctor writes an order confirming the wheelchair is medically necessary because you have limited mobility, and you meet all of the necessary requirements. For help paying the remaining 20%, you may want a Medicare Supplement insurance plan. Doctors commonly prescribe wheelchairs for people with
- neurological disorders,
- broken bones, or
- spinal injuries with paralysis.
If youâre covered by Medicare and your doctor prescribes a wheelchair, hereâs what you should know about your coverage.
Recommended Reading: Does Medicare Pay For Mens Diapers
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.
Guide Vs Energy Wheelchair Or Scooter
In case you have adequate higher physique energy or a helper, you can qualify for a handbook wheelchair.
In the event you cant use a handbook wheelchair, its possible youll get protection for an influence wheelchair or scooter. To qualify, you will need to have an in-person examination together with your physician. If the physician believes you require an influence mobility system, theyll submit an order to Medicare recommending the wheelchair or scooter and stating that you justre in a position to function it.
Also Check: How To Purchase Medicare Insurance
Steering And Handling Ability
Electric mobility scooters are steered by handlebars and operated through controls located on the vehicle’s tiller. This type of set up works well for an individual with enough upper body strength, arm reach and range of motion to manage the power scooter safely. For others, a power chair might be a better solution.
What Is Durable Medical Equipment
Durable medical equipment refers to equipment that you use for medical reasons. This can vary widely, and includes things like canes, blood sugar monitors, oxygen equipment, and hospital beds.
DME is covered by Part B of Medicare when it is medically necessary. This means that you need to use it to treat your health condition. Your doctor will prescribe DME for you and will be able to tell you which equipment you specifically need. DME is subject to the usual Medicare costs, so you will pay a co-insurance in addition to reaching your deductible.
Read Also: Does Medicare Cover Bed Rails
Recommended Reading: What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Medicare Advantage
Does Medicare Advantage Cover Scooters
Medicare Advantage plans cover scooters but remember that MA plans offer varying coverage, which means some Medicare Advantage plans will cover more, some will cover less than Original Medicare.
To learn more of what Medicare covers call 800-930-7956 or click here to get a Medigap quote or Medicare Advantage quote to see how much they cost monthly and how and/or if they lower the cost for a scooter.
Related Articles:
- Medicare Advantage Overview Medicare Advantage is fairly similar to Original Medicare. The main difference is that when it comes to MA, your coverage is now offered by private companies. These plans are required to offer at least what Medicare does, and usually cover quite a lot more.
- Medicare Insurance Switching: Ultimate Guide With so many different plans, carriers, deductibles and what not, picking the wrong plan happens. A lot. Check out your options.
- Medigap Overview You may already know that Medicare covers you up to 80%. A Medigap plan will take care of the remaining 20%. This means that whatever Medicare covers, Medigap will cover too.
Does Medicare Pay For Ramps
Medicare never covers home modifications, such as ramps or widened doors for improving wheelchair access. Though your doctor may suggest that home modifications may help due to your medical condition, Medicare does not include coverage for them under its durable medical equipment benefit.
Read Also: Is Medicare Plus Blue A Medicare Advantage Plan
Medical Equipment Suppliers And Medicare
2017-12-10·Medical equipment and supplies cover a vast range of tools and products for hospitals, health-care facilities, and homes. This includes, but is not limited to, monitoring systems, glucose meters, pumps, thermometers, syringes, blood processing devices, specialty bags, wound care, wheelchairs , commodes, walkers, mobility â¦
Other Types Of Mobility Aids Covered By Medicare
In addition to mobility scooters, Medicare covers several other mobility aids. This includes canes, walkers, and both manual wheelchairs and power wheelchairs.
Medicare will only pay for mobility aids at the level that you need. If your doctor says that a cane is sufficient for your mobility, then Medicare wont cover a walker or mobility scooter. In that case, a scooter would not be viewed as medically necessary, even though some other mobility aid is needed.
You May Like: When Should I Sign Up For Medicare
Repairs To Medicaid Mobility Scooters
Depending on your specific Medicaid program and place of residence, Medicaid may pay for the repairs to your scooter if the scooter is medically necessary. To be eligible for repairs, a doctor must write you a new prescription that explains the medical need and why repairs to the scooter are necessary. Coverage costs and any co-pays will depend on the individual, as well as their Medicaid program. While many people get full coverage for their Medicaid mobility scooters, including replacement batteries, some may have to pay out of pocket for repairs or replacement batteries.
If you do not qualify for Medicaid, there may be other options available to you. Learn about other mobility scooter funding sources.
For custom rehab solutions visit QuantumRehab.com
Read Also: What Information Do I Need To Sign Up For Medicare
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:
Read Also: How Do I Apply For Medicare Part A Online
