Hey Austin,
Yes there have been many changes to medicare and it's getting real hard to get a new chair because of companies like the "scooter store" who have taken total advantage of the system.
Once they found all medicare needed was a docs script they sold one to every elderly person they could which I'm sure some needed but I think walking is better for your health than a wheel chair.
Now it makes it extremely hard when you go to get a new chair, they will want to fix your old chair instead.
Hey maybe call the scooter store!
Mark
----- Original Message -----From: Austin WilsonSent: 9/21/2006 4:57:56 PMSubject: [QUAD-L] Wheelchair questionI've been off the list for a little while because my server has been blocking e-mail but hopefully changing to this new e-mail will work better
I got a script for a new wheelchair and faxed it to the wheelchair clinic. today they called and told me something I never heard before and I'm hoping this group can help with this one.
The therapist asked if I was receiving services from a home health agency and I said yes I was receiving doctor ordered superpubic catheter changes. She told me that Medicare wouldn't approve or pay for the wheelchair clinic or a new wheelchair until I was discharged from the home health agency. she also said that higher level injuries would not be approved anyway unless it was demonstrated that a least one ADL function could be performed.
Have there been changes in Medicare that I am not aware of? these two requirements seem to be very restrictive and I did not know durable medical equipment was determined b! y the help one might be receiving.
Can anyone clear this up for me?
Austin
C4/5 1998
