If you have trouble getting around, Medicare can cover equipment that will help. Mobility Assistive Equipment (or MAE) is any type of durable medical equipment that will help with any issues you may have in performing normal day-to-day activities such as toileting, feeding, dressing, grooming, and bathing in customary locations in the home. The first type of item that your physician would consider is a cane, followed by a walker, manual wheelchair, scooter, and finally a power wheelchair. When a specific item is ruled out for some reason, the next item in line would be considered.
If you need a power wheelchair there are a wide range of options available depending on your specific needs, ranging from standard to very complex. Your physician will help determine the initial need through a face-to-face visit. They may also have a physical or occupational therapist do an additional evaluation. Regardless of your capabilities, in almost every case there will be a wheelchair that meets your needs.
Medicare and most other insurers cover power wheelchairs. Medicare generally pays 80% of the approved charges, and the beneficiary would be responsible for 20% (plus any deductible that may apply). A supplemental or secondary plan may be an option to cover the Medicare copays and deductibles. Other insurers’ payments vary, including Medicare Advantage plans, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans. Wheelchairs can also be purchased as a retail item, and financing options may be available through a wheelchair provider for those cases where someone may not meet the coverage criteria for coverage through insurance.
April is financial literacy month. Over the next few weeks, we will be posting blogs designed to help consumers understand some of the financial processes and options involved in getting a powered wheelchair or other mobility device. Be sure to follow along on our social media channels to catch the next one.