How can I get the best deal for a power chair for my mom?
Are the power chair "giveaway" ads, the ones that say that they'll work to get Medicare to cover all if not most of the cost of a power chair, a scam? Anything that promises to get MY tax dollars to pay for something makes me suspicious. But my 91 year old mother is beginning to consider one and, before she gets scammed into signing up for something before she realizes it, I want to research this for her. How do I find out which "power chairs" are best (best, and best for her) and which companies are ethical?
Expert Answer
Yes, Medicare does help pay for power wheelchairs and scooters, but there are criteria that your mother must meet to be eligible. She needs to have: 1. A health condition that limits her mobility within her home. 2. A need for assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) which are bathing, dressing, toileting, continence, eating or transferring. 3. The ability to safely operate the chair and get in and out of it.
For a power chair or scooter, Medicare requires a written order from a face-to-face visit with your mother's doctor. He/she must identify the medical need for the chair and certify that your mother is able to operate it. If approved, Medicare Part B pays 80% of the approved cost. Your mother is responsible for the other 20%, unless she has a Medicare Supplement policy with this coverage.
While the majority of providers are legitimate, there are some who perpetuate scams and fraud. You can research suppliers yourself using the Internet. You can check www.medicare.gov/supplier or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)to find out if a supplier has been approved by Medicare. For additional information, go to http://www.medicare.gov/publications/pubs/pdf/11046.pdf.