| No one wants to pay full price for anything and this | | | | 3. Must be mentally capable of using handicapped |
| holds true for mobility equipment for the handicapped. | | | | equipment. If unable to use the equipment themselves, |
| The insurance companies makes the process very | | | | must have someone ready to assist them. |
| bureaucratic, so you must read the details and follow | | | | 4. Have good vision. Since mobility equipment requires |
| the requirements exactly. If you can get Medicare or | | | | driving, the good vision guidelines is quite important. |
| insurance for handicapped equipment, they will pay a | | | | 5. The mobility equipment must be useable and drivable |
| share and mobility equipment can be quite affordable. | | | | around the home. This means that there must be |
| You must get authorization and documentation from | | | | enough room to make turns and be operational in the |
| the doctors that state you have a need for this | | | | home. |
| equipment inside the home. Without this part, you will | | | | Once you meet all these guidelines and obtain the |
| end up paying the bills out of your own pocket. | | | | doctor's documents, you need to find a reputable |
| Medicare covers most power mobility equipment under | | | | supplier for power wheelchairs and mobility scooters. |
| certain conditions. Most people are able to get 80% of | | | | How to Spot Medicare Fraud and Abuse From |
| the costs paid by Medicare and they pay the rest. | | | | Handicapped Equipment Suppliers |
| Medicare requires the following conditions be met in | | | | The following are examples of possible Medicare |
| order to qualify for a power wheelchair or scooter. | | | | fraud: |
| | | | - Suppliers offer you a free wheelchair or scooter |
| 1. The patient must be bed ridden or confined to a | | | | - Suppliers offer to waive your copayment |
| chair and requires the wheelchair or scooter to move | | | | - Someone bills Medicare for handicapped equipment |
| around in the home. Medicare does not pay for such | | | | you never got |
| mobility equipment for convenience or recreational use. | | | | - Someone bills Medicare for home medical equipment |
| This means also if you only require the wheelchair or | | | | after it has been returned |
| scooter outside of the home, you will not be eligible for | | | | Be aware of these dealers. |
| insurance or medicare. | | | | Medicare information can change at any moment. It is |
| 2. The patient must be able to operate the controls of | | | | best to keep up to date and informed with your |
| the mobility equipment safely. This part should be | | | | medicare's laws and regulations because they are |
| assessed by the doctor for ability. | | | | subject to change. |