Many consumers who must use a Lightweight Wheelchair also must have additional assistance in funding them. Quite a few people look to Medicare for financial help with wheelchairs or other medical supplies, although that course of action is neither straightforward nor quick, and if your retailer offers you a bit of help you will want to accept it. It won't matter whether you plan on processing your own paperwork or if an organization is doing it for you, however; you should initiate the process with a few important pieces of information.

First, Medicare will not cover the complete expense of Folding Wheelchairs. Medicare could pay 80% of the price, and then you or your supplemental insurance will be charged for the balance of the cost. Happily, most retailers will not bill you the full cost of the chair immediately; they simply invoice you for your 20% and wait until the check arrives from Medicare before requiring the balance. Of course, this could go smoothly if you communicate with your manufacturer to be certain that the model you choose is pre-approved by Medicare. If you purchase the chair but your paperwork is not approved, then you will either need to bring back the item or fund the other 80% of the expense, which is going to hurt.

Medicare is quite selective about who gets funding for wheelchairs, and why. You might be surprised at parts of the reasoning which controls Medicare. As an example, if you must employ a wheelchair to stay independent in your living space, Medicare will generously provide the cheapest model that can help you out.

On the other hand, if you manage effectively at home with some crutches and just want a wheelchair for errands, you are out of luck. Medicare is only interested in making sure that you can access your kitchen. While the idea of a motorized wheelchair may be attractive, Medicare would request a statement filled out by your doctor maintaining that you are too weak to propel a manual wheelchair before they help you purchase a motorized model.

Next, Medicare will not help you obtain Lightweight Folding Wheelchairs directly. Whatever the situation which causes you to need a wheelchair, Medicare will only permit you to rent a wheelchair for 10 months, then consider your case and figure out whether to permit you to buy the chair. This practice will have no consequence on your ability to keep the wheelchair, although it will be reflected in the paperwork that you are renting the chair instead of purchasing it.

As you now know, dealing with Medicare is a remarkably bewildering experience. Companies that market wheelchairs and other medical supplies have become quite proficient at finding through the red tape, so it is in your best interest to work closely with your wheelchair store. When all the paperwork is done, you may then take your wheelchair home and proceed with more enjoyable things. Happy wheeling!

Tariq Yaman operates a Wheelchair Disability Scooter website that teaches consumers everything about the Folding Wheelchairs.

Tagged with: • • • •

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!