I am struggling to complete a Certificate of Medical Necessity (DMERC form 02.03A) for a power wheel chair.
Question 1: Does the patient require and use a wheelchair to move around their residence? The client in question has an old spinal cord injury that left him with incomplete lower extremity paralysis. He has been ambulating in the house via a 4-wheel rolling walker and/or Lofstrand crutches while placing almost 100% of his body weight through his arms/shoulders. His adapted form of ambulation has resulted in developing OA in his left shoulder with a resultant decrease in ROM secondary and significant increase in pain. He only uses a manual wheelchair in the house infrequently because he can't push it secondary to shoulder arthritis. he has fallen 6-8 times this past year while ambulating with his walker. It appears that the answer to question 1 is a 'no'. If this is true, does this mean that a power wheelchair is not medically necessary for this client? *****************************��********************************** To remove yourself from the OTnow mail list, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the message, indicate what address you want removed from OTnow - List messages are archived at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] *****************************��***********************************
