Being unable to move about on your own is not only a limit on your independence; it can affect your health. There are medical problems that can result from a lack of mobility including deep venous thrombosis, osteoporosis, malnutrition, and poor hygiene. Your lack of mobility can prevent you from going out, and can even affect getting around in your own home. Fortunately, there are options to keep your independence—mobility scooters. They aren’t just about convenience, a scooter or motorized wheelchair can also improve your health.
Mobility scooters (medical scooter, elderly scooter) may be covered by Medicare. Mobility scooter lifts, for stairs or vehicles, are not necessarily covered. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) determined that these devices are “reasonable and necessary for beneficiaries who have a personal mobility deficit sufficient to impair their participation in mobility-related activities.” These mobility-related activities include basic daily functions such as washing, bathing, and cooking. Medicare often refers to mobility scooters as “mobility assistive equipment” or MAE. This term refers not only to mobility scooters, but to everything from canes to power wheelchairs and vehicles.
How Do I Become Eligible for a Mobility Scooter?
There are a few things. It starts, however, with your health care provider.
Your doctor needs to submit a written order saying you have a medical need for a scooter (or wheelchair) in your home. You must have a personal checkup with your doctor—you cannot request a scooter over the phone. Also, you must primary need the scooter for use in your home—it cannot be mainly for recreational or outdoor use. However, this doesn’t imply that you can never use it outside the home.
Qualifying Conditions
You must meet each of these qualifying conditions:
You qualify for a motorized wheelchair if you are unable to operate a manual chair. But to qualify for a mobility scooter, you must be physically able to sit upright and operate the controls. This sounds easy but some health conditions may make one or the other (or both) impossible. Your physician can help determine if you are capable of using a scooter safely.
Medicare Coverage
If Medicare approves, they will pay 80 percent of the Medicare-approved amount, while you pay 20 percent. You must also meet the Medicare Part B deductible. Anything covered under Medicare must fit into a benefit category and not be excluded by law. In some states, you may need to get your scooter or wheelchair from a specific, approved supplier. If you only need a scooter for a short time, it may be financially feasible to rent one.
Be aware that some unscrupulous individuals and companies have taken advantage of Medicare policies regarding mobility scooters. A couple of things to keep in mind regarding potential fraud include
A company that offers you a free wheelchair or scooter. Even if you qualify you will likely have to pay 20 percent.A company that offers to waive your copayment.If Medicare is billed for equipment you never received.If Medicare is billed for equipment after it is returned.There are also different types of scooters to consider—some have three wheels and others include four. There are scooters that are designed for indoor use and others that are more versatile. Look for a scooter that will fit in your living space and that you can use easily.
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