FAQ’S:  Frequently Asked Questions:

1)     Does Medicare purchase electric wheelchairs and scooters?  Medicare does purchase electric wheelchairs and scooters if you have part B,  however there are guidelines and every case is different.  Please refer to our reimbursement section for the required criteria.  In addition to the medicare criteria, the equipment must be delivered to your home, retirement home, assisted living or a private care home.  If the client is in a nursing home, Medicare will not pay for an individual to receive DME equipment, because the nursing home provides patients with equipment. 

2)     Does private insurance purchase electric wheelchairs and scooters?  Most insurance carriers do purchase scooters and wheelchairs, however you must have DME (Durable Medical Equipment) coverage on your policy.  The best thing to do is contact your insurance company.

3)     What is my first step in trying to obtain an electric wheelchair or scooter?  Your first step should be to contact your physician and see if they feel that you require one.  Medicare as well as private insurance base all purchases on medical necessity.

4)     How long is the process of obtaining this equipment?  The time table of this process varies from case to case.  Usually about one to two weeks from the time a client contacts us till we deliver, but this depends on how long it takes us to obtain the information required from your doctor.

5)     How much will this cost me out of pocket?  This also varies from case to case.  Medicare has an allowable charge for products, which pays 80% if approved.  If you have secondary insurance, the secondary pays the 20% difference depending on your policy.  See the reimbursement section for specific items. 

6)      Do you service the products you sell?  Yes, we have trained professionals to take care of any minor or major problems you may have with your equipment.  Most products we sell come with a one to three year warranty depending on the product.

7)     Does your company offer financing?  Yes, we do offer financing with up to 12 months deferred interest.  Please call for details.

8)     What should I look for when choosing a DME company to purchase a scooter or power wheelchair?  It is very important to know who will service your equipment and if there is a physical showroom that you can take your equipment to be checked.  It is also very important to purchase equipment from a major vendor ie Pride, Invacare, or Bruno that has a huge national base, where you will always find a provider who can repair your system if you are traveling and a problem arises. 

9) What does same or similar equipment mean? Medicare and Insurance will not pay for two types of similar equipment at the same time.  Example: 

If a client has a manual wheelchair and the physician orders a scooter, then the client must return the manual wheelchair in order to receive a scooter.  (Unless the manual wheelchair is no longer rented by Medicare and the client owns the wheelchair outright.)  See the Reimbursement section

10)  If I own a power wheelchair or scooter, will Medicare pay for the   seat lift mechanism on a Lift Chair?  No.  The requirement for a Lift Chair state the client must be able to ambulate once standing.  See the Reimbursement section.