Wheelchairs Covered by Medicare: What You Should Know

If you’re about to enroll in Medicare Part B and require a wheelchair, you may be curious about your options. Wheelchairs can be expensive, but you also want to ensure you get one that meets your unique needs and is of good quality. Wheelchairs covered by Medicare Part B are great. However, some rules determine what type of coverage you get for what kind of wheelchair you want.

Navigating Medicare and wheelchair coverage can be confusing — that’s where Senior Insurance Solutions comes in. I’m a licensed Medicare agent and created Senior Insurance Solutions to help people like you get the most out of their benefits. Let’s break down how Medicare can help cover wheelchairs and how you can start the process.

Medicare Coverage for Wheelchairs: An Overview

For Medicare to cover your wheelchair, you have to meet all of the following requirements:

1. Your doctor has to submit a Certificate of Necessity stating it’s medically necessary for you to have a wheelchair or scooter at home.
2. You have limited mobility and meet these conditions:
   1. You have a health condition that makes moving around your home difficult. 
   2. You can’t do daily tasks without a mobility aid (ex: crutch, walker, etc.).
   3. You can safely operate and get in or out of your wheelchair (or you have someone readily available to help you).
   4. Your doctor and wheelchair supplier both accept Medicare.
   5. Your doctor or supplier has visited your home and believes it’s wheelchair accessible.

If you meet these requirements, you’ll be eligible for wheelchairs covered by Medicare. The next step is determining what type of wheelchair you want.

Wheelchair Options Under Medicare

Once approved for Medicare coverage for wheelchairs, you’ll choose a manual wheelchair, a power scooter, or a power wheelchair. If you opt for a manual wheelchair, you will be pushing yourself. A motorized power scooter is more like a motor scooter than a wheelchair. A power wheelchair has a seat, armrests with controls, and an electric motor. If you aren’t sure which option is right for you, talk with your doctor. They’ll determine which option is safest for you to operate before submitting the order to Medicare.

The Next Steps 

So, you’ve met with your doctor, completed your Certificate of Necessity, and picked the perfect wheelchair type to suit your needs. Now what? It’s vital to ensure you’ve met your Medicare Part B deductible, or else Medicare will not pay for your wheelchair. After you pay your Part B deductible for the year, Medicare will pay 80% of the approved amount. You’ll pay the other 20%. Your new wheelchair must be from a Medicare-approved supplier. If you plan to use your wheelchair temporarily, consider renting it instead of buying it. Once you’ve decided on a supplier, contact them to schedule a consultation within 45 days of submitting your Certificate of Necessity.

Get Wheelchairs Covered by Medicare With Help From Senior Insurance Solutions 

Navigating the world of Medicare benefits can be confusing, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. At Senior Insurance Solutions, I can help you pick the perfect Medicare plan for your unique needs and help you get a wheelchair covered by Medicare. Not only can I help you pick a plan, but I’ll stick with you every step of the way to ensure you get everything you need and all your questions answered while on your plan. 

For information about wheelchairs covered by Medicare or to learn more about Senior Insurance Solutions and how I can help you get the most out of your benefits, contact me today.