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Electric Mobility Scooters and Medicare

By: Randy McIntire


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Many vendors of electric mobility scooters offer a Medicare reimbursement plan, but you should be careful to avoid being scammed. The Medicare Program has become aware of deceptive or fraudulent activity on the part of some suppliers of electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Companies such as these may try to tell you that you qualify for a Medicare reimbursement for the purchase, even if you do not. So, if you are interested in buying an electric scooter and are counting on a Medicare reimbursement to help with the purchase cost, you need to be sure you qualify for that reimbursement. Here are the requirements for eligibility for an electric scooter. You must meet all of these conditions:
1. Your health condition requires you to get help with basic daily activities, such as dressing, bathing, moving about, using the bathroom, or getting into and out of a chair or bed.
2. Your condition does not allow you to use an ordinary wheelchair.
3. You must be able to use a power wheelchair or mobility scooter safely. That is, you should be able to reach and use the controls comfortably.
4. Your doctor must prescribe a mobility scooter after examining you personally.
5. It must be safe to use the device in your home.
6. You must want to use a mobility scooter and be willing to use a mobility scooter.
7. Your weight must not exceed the capacity of the mobility scooter.
8. Your vision must be good enough to operate the mobility scooter safely.
9. Your mental condition must allow you to use a mobility scooter safely.
10. You must have the ability to climb aboard and dismount the scooter without jeopardizing your safety.
As you can see, the list of requirements for a Medicare reimbursement is very complete and very strict. In fact, there almost seems to be a contradiction between points #1 and #10: if you need help getting by with basic activities like getting into and out of a chair, then you cannot really get into the scooter's seat safely. Therefore, it can be difficult to meet the physical need requirements and still be able to safely use the scooter. You should be cautious about the Medicare reimbursement and be sure that you can qualify for it. As mentioned above, some companies will try to tell you that you qualify so that they can sell you a scooter. If one of these suppliers calls you even though you didn't give them your number, offers you a "free" scooter, or wants you to see a particular doctor for an exam, they are probably trying to scam you or the Medicare Program. Talk to your doctor about qualifying for a Medicare reimbursement, or call 1-800-MEDICARE.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Randy McIntire is an expert on mobility devices such as mobility scooters, electric wheelchairs, bath lifts, and lift chairs. For more information about mobility scooters, please visit Electric Scooters 4 Less.

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