Power wheelchairs and scooters truly enhance the life of the disabled in a way that those of us with able bodies could never understand. Limited mobility from such conditions as arthritis, heart disease, multiple sclerosis (to name a very few) tend to confine the person to home and immediate surroundings. Power mobility equipment offer the person the opportunity to move about more easily while going about their activities of daily living and confer a sense of independence to the disabled.

Power wheelchairs and other power mobilty equipment can, unfortunately, be expensive. Basic scooters (also known as power operated vehicles, or POVs) are sold for $700 and up, and power wheelchairs retail for $2000 to $10,000 or more. Many elderly and disabled persons are simply unable to afford such an expensive item. However, Medicare and many private insurance plans do cover the cost of power wheelchairs and scooters under certain specific guidelines. Some of the most important guidelines that must be followed in order for Medicare to cover power wheelchairs and POVs include:

1. In home use. The person must need the wheelchair/POV to move about in his/her home. Medicare, at this time, does not cover power mobility equipment that is strictly for recreational use or for convenience. Please note that this does not mean that power wheelchairs/scooters cannot be taken outdoors! The rule simply states that power mobility equipment is not covered if the individual only needs the device outside the home.Unable to propel a manual chair. The person must have a condition that renders the use of a manual wheelchair difficult or impossible. Example of such conditions would be carpal tunnel syndrome or crippling arthritis in the shoulders, arms or hands. Other conditions such as heart and/or lung disease in which the patient experiences shortness of breath would qualify as well. 2. Unable to propel a manual chair. The person must have a condition that renders the use of a manual wheelchair difficult or impossible. Example of such conditions would be carpal tunnel syndrome or crippling arthritis in the shoulders, arms or hands. Other conditions such as heart and/or lung disease in which the patient experiences shortness of breath would qualify as well. 3. Safety. The person must be able to demonstrate the ability to safely use the power mobilty equipment in their home. Conditions such as blindness or dementia might disqualify the person; however, under new guidelines, Medicare may cover power wheelchairs if the person will be under constant supervision.

There are numerous other factors that Medicare considers in addition to those listed above. Medicare rules and regulations are constantly changing; indeed, Medicare has made significant changes to these guidelines this year. The only means of determining eligibility for a person is to submit the required documentation to Medicare and wait for a determination. However, many suppliers of power mobilty equipment accept Medicare assignment. Suppliers that accept medicare assignment can evaluate the person's specific needs, and, if the supplier determines that the person does qualify under Medicare guidelines, they can often deliver the equipment quickly, without waiting for a response from Medicare.

If your or a loved one need power mobilty equipment and feel qualified under Medicare guidelines, contact a durable medical equipment (DME) company that sells power mobilty equipment. Research the company's reputation for quality of equipment, service, and whether they accept Medicare assignment. The company should be willing and able to answer your questions and assist you in the process.
About the Author

Wanda Ferrell has 30+ years in various areas of health care, and holds a Master's degree in a health care field. She has worked for 2 years as a mobility specialist, evaluating persons for power mobility equipment. She ia webmaster for "health-infosource.com", a popular health information resource.

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