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Medicare Electric Wheelchairs and Scooters Benefits Explained

By: Chad Kiser .... Click on the author's name to view their profile and articles!!!

It seems you cannot turn on the television during the day and not see a commercial promoting free electric wheelchairs or motorized scooters from Medicare. You need to know that these devices are not available to anybody with Medicare. You must qualify for them. In this following paragraphs, we will discuss who qualifies and how to get them.

If you have Medicare, you do not automatically qualify for a motorized scooter or electric wheelchair. You have to have a doctor prescribe one for you, so be careful of sales people that are too eager to make the sell, and tell you there is no need for a prescription. The doctor is now allowed to prescribe a motorized wheelchair or electric scooter for usage exclusively outside the home. This is one of the limitations to getting one from Medicare. It is important that you demonstrate a need inside your home for the scooter or chair. The physician also will not prescribe a mobility aid if it is not a dire need.

Motorized chairs can be rented through Medicare. After you have paid your deductible, you can rent the mobility device for ten months. As of the ninth month, you will be sent an option to purchase your wheel chair. If you choose to purchase the wheel chair, Medicare will make three more monthly payments on the device, and then it is yours to keep. The maintenance of your mobility device is up to you, but Medicare will cover up to 80 percent of any repairs needed. If you do not want the device permanently, Medicare will make just 15 payments total and then it is yours as long as you need it. You must pay a maintenance fee every six months, eighty percent of which is covered by Medicare.

Some other coverage limits include:

Weakness in your upper body that would require the need for an electronic wheel chair You cannot walk under your own power You are capable of getting in and out of the electric wheelchair, and do it safely You have to stay in a chair or bed most of the day You have the need for the mobility device in order to move about freely inside your own home

If you have a need for a motorized mobility device, and are on Medicare, speak with your family physician about your need. They will be able to answer your questions completely, and instruct you as to how to obtain a mobility device of your own.

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If you have Medicare, you do not automatically qualify for a motorized scooter or electric wheel chair. You have to have a doctor prescribe one for you, so be careful of sales people that are too eager to make the sell, and tell you there is no need for a prescription.

To Learn More About Electric Wheelchairs and Medicare Plus Everything Else Related to Your Medicare Benefits, Go to the Medicare Website Now.

Note: The content of this article solely conveys the opinion of its author, Chad Kiser