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    <title>Medicare Wheelchair</title>
    <link>http://medicarewheelchair.org</link>
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<item>
 <title>Medicare Wheelchair - How To Get A Medicare Wheelchair</title>
 <description>Medicare Wheelchair Choices And Tips. Get Reimbursed. Get Mobile. Click Here For Medicare Wheelchair Info.

Welcome to MedicareWheelchair.org! You will find on this site a variety of manufacturers and suppliers of Power Wheelchairs which can significantly help increasing your mobility and increase your level of independence and self reliance. Medicare Wheelchair application procedures will be listed which will help you get Medicare reimbursement for your power wheelchair expense.

Medicare did not even cover Power Wheelchairs before the year 2005 when a study was published stating the result that actually, if Power Wheelchairs would be given to Medicare insureds with walking and moving disabilities, the overall costs to Medicare would be reduced significantly.

According to estimates, by offering power wheelchairs to insureds, Medicare saves about $3 Billion each and every year since 2005 on emergency room visits related to falls. Disabled people who get equipped with power wheelchairs tend to fall much less than people with similar disabilities but without the power wheelchairs.

Medicare in the US is currently the only government institution that covers power wheelchairs. Medicare in the UK, Canada, and Australia do not cover power wheelchairs at all.</description>
 <link>http://medicarewheelchair.org</link>
 <guid>http://medicarewheelchair.org</guid>
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<item>
 <title>Medicare Power Chairs - How To Get A Medicare Power Chair</title>
 <description>Medicare Power Chairs Choices And Tips. Get Reimbursed. Get Going. Click Here For Medicare Power Chairs Info.

There will be many options for your power chair, depending on your condition or disease, and depending on your doctor's prescription for the power wheel chair.

Let's look at the major types of power wheel chairs that are available today. The types of power wheel chairs differ based on the number of wheels, such as 6 wheels or 4 wheels, and, related, based on which wheels are the driving wheels, mid-wheels or rear-wheels. Power chairs differ based on their carrying capacity, they can either be lightweight or heavy duty or bariatric. They differ based on whether they are foldable or not, and whether they can be reclined or power-tilted for additional comfort and increased blood circulation. Let's look into the possibilities in detail.

4 wheel vs. 6 wheel power wheel chair

Power wheel chairs usually come either in a 4 wheel version or a 6 wheel version. In 4 wheel power wheel chairs usually the rear wheel are the power wheels and are larger than the front wheels, while in 6 wheel power wheel chairs, the middle wheels are usually the largest and are powered while the front and rear wheels are smaller. Probably the main advantage of the 6 wheel power chairs is better maneuverability in small spaces. You can turn on a dime with a 6 wheel power chair when needed, such as in your kitchen, bathroom, or a narrow elevator or hallway. This choice might be important for you as Medicare requires that the power chair must be readily usable inside your house. Using it inside your house must indeed be medically necessary for acceptance of your Medicare power wheelchair application.

Folding power chair vs. non-folding power chair

Folding power chairs will be really handy when you need to stove them away or take them on trips with a car or plane with you. Non-folding power chairs can usually be broken down for travel, and they usually sport much more comfortable padded seats, such as a captain seat with broad arm rests.

Lightweight power wheelchair vs. heavy duty power wheelchair

Depending on your weight, you may need a bariatric or a heavy duty power wheelchair. These have a much higher carrying capacity and can traverse rougher terrains. The lightweight power wheelchairs are easy to disassemble for travel and storage. They usually have smaller wheels which might make your rides a bit more bumpy.

Power tilt or recliner power wheel chairs

Reclining power wheel chairs or Power tilt power wheel chairs offer the extra capability of tilting the whole seat back, therefore positioning you in a comfortable, leaned back position which may improve the circulation to the legs.

Power Wheel Chairs Available At Amazon.</description>
 <link>http://medicarewheelchair.org/medicare_power_chairs.html</link>
 <guid>http://medicarewheelchair.org/medicare_power_chairs.html</guid>
</item>
<item>
 <title>Medicare Power Chair - Step By Step Directions To Get A Medicare Power Chair Reimbursement</title>
 <description>Medicare Power Chair Choices And Tips. Get Reimbursed. Get Mobile. Click Here For Medicare Power Chair Info.

 Power Chairs And Power Wheelchairs Are Routinely Reimbursed. Just Follow The Step By Step Procedures

Medicare requirements are quite strict and they do change occasionally, so it is always best to work with experienced professionals, such as your medical doctor, if he is familiar with the Medicare procedures. Also, you will want to engage the representative of the medical supply store, online or offline, who specializes in working with Medicare and following their requirements.

Browsing the online and offline stores for the best candidate power chair for you

Fortunately, all your research can be done on the internet directly from home for your convenience. There are several stores that offer a large selection of mobility scooters and power wheelchairs that you can choose from. After you pick the type of your power wheelchair, call the store for an consultation about the further procedure. If you are determined to get your Medicare wheelchair reimbursement make sure that you are working with Medicare "enrolled" and possibly Medicare "participating" store. Medicare "participating" stores are approved by Medicare and have agreed to give you fixed prices on power wheelchairs. Medicare "enrolled" stores are also approved by Medicare and can charge you as much as 15% over and above the Medicare approved price.

Medical Mobility Evaluation visit with your doctor

Next step will be to get a special, medical mobility evaluation visit with your physician. He will put together the "medical necessity certificate" for a power wheelchair. This is a document signed and dated by your doctor, stating the reasons why you must receive a power wheelchair. The reasons are itemized and include:

    * inability to walk within your house and do the basic activities such as personal hygiene, cooking, trips to the restroom, without help
    * using a cane, a walker, or a rollator should be insufficient for you to accomplish these basic activities
    * you must be unable to use a mobility scooter for the same purpose. This could be because of the upper arm weakness that would preclude you from steering a mobility scooter using your arms.
    * you should still have sufficient strength to be able to get on and off the power wheelchair and to operate the armrest-positioned joystick
    * you should have sufficient mental capacity to safely operate a power wheelchair
    * finally, you must have the desire to operate your own power wheelchair

These are the main requirements but there will be other requirements. You may want to familiarize yourself with the "medical necessity certificate" before you have it be filled and signed by your doctor during the medical mobility evaluation visit.

The paperwork route

The paperwork must be signed and dated by your doctor and must then go back to the online or offline power wheelchair store where one copy is kept. Another copy must be submitted to Medicare. It may take a few months before you will hear back from Medicare about the success of your Medicare power chair application and the reimbursement details.</description>
 <link>http://medicarewheelchair.org/medicare_power_chair_step_by_step.html</link>
 <guid>http://medicarewheelchair.org/medicare_power_chair_step_by_step.html</guid>
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<item>
 <title>Medicare Medigap Insurance - How To Get Reimbursed On Your Power Chair</title>
 <description>Medicare Medigap Insurance Choices And Tips To Get Reimbursed. Get Mobile. Click Here For Medicare Power Chair Info.

Power Wheelchair Reimbursement

Let's see how, in case of getting a power wheelchair, having Medicare Medigap insurance can bring your out of pocket expenses down to zero. Medigap is a US nationwide Medicare supplement plan which helps defray or completely eliminate your out-of-pocket expense for medical services or durable equipment such as power wheelchairs.

When Medicare approves your application for reimbursement of your power wheelchair, you are still responsible for paying the deductible and the coinsurance, which is currently 20% of the total cost after deductible. The Medicare will contribute 80% of the cost of the power wheelchair.

There are currently ten different Medigap or Medicare Supplement plans, named Plan A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, N. As far as getting the coinsurance reimbursement, as well as the deductible 100% AND 100% of the Medicare coinsurance, you must be enrolled in the Medigap Plan C, or Plan D. If you are okay with paying the deductible (currently $150-$200 per year), but want 100% of the coinsurance paid, then you must choose plans A, B, F, G, M or N. Finally, you will still get reimbursed 50% of the coinsurance with the Medigap Plan K and 75% of the coinsurance with the Medigap Plan L.

Are you currently enrolled in Medigap? If you do not have Medicare yet, the best time to enroll in Medigap is at the same time when you enroll into Medicare, or within 6 months from your Medicare Part B enrollment.

You will see that navigating the Medicare - Medigap landscape to get the maximum benefit from Medicare is not simple. So, do take advantage of the online or offline medical equipment store or mobility scooter store person who deals with Medicare or insurance reimbursement. Also, your doctor should be knowledgeable about the detailed procedures for maximal reimbursement. When you do everything right, you might end up paying nothing out of pocket for your well deserved power wheelchair.

Regardless of your coverage, your research should always start online. Select here for power wheelchair models that are currently Available At Amazon.</description>
 <link>http://medicarewheelchair.org/medicare_medigap_insurance.html</link>
 <guid>http://medicarewheelchair.org/medicare_medigap_insurance.html</guid>
</item>
<item>
 <title>Supplemental Medicare Coverage For Medicare Wheelchair</title>
 <description>Supplemental Medicare Coverage Choices And Tips To Get Reimbursed For A Power Wheelchair. Click Here For Power Wheelchair Reimbursement Info.

Getting Your Power Wheelchair - Two Types Of Supplemental Medicare Coverage For Your Power Wheelchair

When you have Medicare and are decided that you want to get a power wheelchair to help improve your mobility and self-reliance, then you do want to make sure that you take the appropriate steps to have your expenses reimbursed by Medicare.

Further, as some of the power wheelchairs can be quite expensive, you want to be sure to maximize your Medicare benefit and minimize your copayments, or completely eliminate them, by using supplemental Medicare coverage.

On this page you will learn about two possible Medicare supplemental coverages that can help you reduce and completely eliminate your payments toward your new power wheelchair. The two Medicare supplemental coverages are the Medigap and the Secondary Medicare Coverage. Let's take a quick look at the details of both and how they can affect the price you will ultimately pay out of pocket for your power wheelchair.

Medigap Supplemental Medicare Coverage

Medigap is federally run supplemental Medicare Coverage, designed to be offered uniformly across the US. For an additional monthly payment, you will get a peace of mind that both your Medicare coinsurance (currently 20%) and your Medicare deductibles (currently $155) will be paid for by Medigap, so you will end up paying little or nothing.

There are ten different Medigap plans: Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, Plan D, Plan F, Plan G, Plan K, Plan L, Plan M, and Plan N. How do they affect your final cost of the power wheelchair?

    * Plan C and Plan D: Will pay both your deductible and your coinsurance on power wheelchair cost - you pay nothing
    * Plans A, B, F, G, M, and N: Will pay your coinsurance and will NOT pay your deductible - you pay only the yearly deductible (currently $155)
    * Plan K: Will pay 50% of the coinsurance and will NOT pay your deductible - you pay the deductible ($155) plus 10% of the rest of the cost
    * Plan L: Will pay 75% of the coinsurance and will NOT pay your deductible - you pay the deductible ($155) plus 5% of the rest of the cost of your power wheelchair

Note 1: It is important that you get the approval of Medicare for the reimbursement. In case Medicare does not approve the reimbursement, the Medigap will not reimburse their share either.

Note 2: It is best to enroll in Medigap at the same time as Medicare Part B or within 6 months thereafter. The insurance company will not be able to decline your enrollment within this "open enrollment period."

Note 3: Even though the benefits of Medigap plans as stated above are standardized, the prices of various Medigap plans can vary between insurance companies. Be sure to shop around.

Secondary Medicare Coverage

Secondary Medicare Coverages, as opposed to Medigap, are not standardized on the federal level. They are offered by insurance companies in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations. Within those restrictions, each insurance company can design and price the secondary Medicare coverage differently. Secondary Medicare Coverage may have higher limitations or no limitations on the costs of durable equipment such as power wheelchairs. Consequently their coverage may be more or less than the Medigap coverage. You will have to request information from individual insurance companies on Secondary Medicare Coverage and how it applies to purchase of a power chair in your state.

Regardless of which supplemental Medicare coverage you pick, Medigap or Secondary Medicare Coverage, be sure to inquire about the Durable Medical Equipment coverage and have the agent explain to you what part of power wheelchair cost, if any, you will have to bear after reimbursements.</description>
 <link>http://medicarewheelchair.org/supplemental_medicare_coverage.html</link>
 <guid>http://medicarewheelchair.org/supplemental_medicare_coverage.html</guid>
</item>
<item>
 <title>Used Power Chairs</title>
 <description>Used Power Chair Purchasing Choices And Tips. Get Mobile. Get Moving. Get a Great Power Chair at an Affordable Price

Perhaps there is a reason that Medicare (and Medigap) declined your application for a power chair. Perhaps you just don't want to wait for months to get reimbursed. Or maybe you just hate doing the paperwork that Medicare requires. These are all valid reasons to look for used power chairs. Plus, you can save a bundle.

Regardless of the reason, you may want to take advantage of a large used power wheelchair market out there. When you use your shopping savvy, you may end up purchasing a decent, useful used power chair that fits your needs, and does not break the bank.

Shop locally for used power chairs

As with any used vehicle, it is great when you can shop locally and test drive the power chair. Besides the solid feel when you are driving, you do want to ask questions about the age, brand and model of the power wheelchair, and the age of the battery. Also, inquire about how long the battery has not been in use. These are the factors you will have to take into consideration. If the battery has lost power, you will need to replace it which will add to the cost.

Where to find used power chairs locally

There are a number of ways you can search for a used power chair locally. The old fashioned way will include scanning your local newspaper classified ads section. The online sources include first and foremost Craigslist at Craigslist.org. Craigslist is the top online classified ads publisher. You will be able to search in your local metropolitan area. In fact Craigslist encourages trading locally to ward from any possible fraud.

Find used power chairs online

Another possibility is Ebay at Ebay.com. Ebay is a worldwide auction site however, you can use advanced search capabilities to focus your search to your local area. Ebay has strict auction rules, requires shipping through an independent delivery service such as USPS or UPS, for your protection. Undoubtedly, you will find a great selection of used power wheelchairs on Ebay.

There are many other online classified ads sites. You can try your luck here: Classifieds.MySpace.com, Backpage.com, Hoobly.com, Livedeal.com, Oodle.com.

And, last but not least, finding used power chairs at online retailers

Surprisingly, you may find that sometimes, online retailers such as Amazon will often offer "pre-owned" or "refurbished" power chair models on their website. You can check the current Amazon offers right here.</description>
 <link>http://medicarewheelchair.org/used_power_chairs.html</link>
 <guid>http://medicarewheelchair.org/used_power_chairs.html</guid>
</item>
<item>
 <title>[About Us] Medicare Wheelchair</title>
 <description>[About Us] Medicare Wheelchair. Get Reimbursed. Get Mobile. Click Here For Medicare Power Chair Info.</description>
 <link>http://medicarewheelchair.org/About_Us.html</link>
 <guid>http://medicarewheelchair.org/About_Us.html</guid>
</item>
<item>
 <title>[Contact Us] Medicare Wheelchair</title>
 <description>[Contact Us] Medicare Wheelchair. Get Reimbursed. Get Moving. Click Here For Medicare Wheelchair Info.</description>
 <link>http://medicarewheelchair.org/Contact_Us.html</link>
 <guid>http://medicarewheelchair.org/Contact_Us.html</guid>
</item>
<item>
 <title>[Privacy Policy] Medicare Wheelchair</title>
 <description>[Privacy Policy] Medicare Wheelchair. Get Reimbursed. Get Mobile. Click Here For Medicare Wheelchair Info.</description>
 <link>http://medicarewheelchair.org/Privacy_Policy.html</link>
 <guid>http://medicarewheelchair.org/Privacy_Policy.html</guid>
</item>
<item>
 <title>Medicare Power Chair Brands</title>
 <description>Medicare Power Chair Brands, Choices And Tips. Get Reimbursed. Get Mobile. Click Here For Medicare Power Chair Brands Info.
When it comes to purchasing a power chair, Medicare will be brand-blind, that is, it does not matter what brand you go for as long as the eligibility criteria of Medicare for your power wheelchair are all met. So here is the list of the top power chair brands today:

    * Drive Medical
    * Invacare
    * Shoprider
    * Pride
    * ActiveCare
    * Merits
    * Wildcat
    * Graham Field
    * Karman Healthcare
    * CTM Mobility
    * Heartway
    * Everest And Jennings
    * Golden Technologies
    * ProBasics</description>
 <link>http://medicarewheelchair.org/medicare_power_chair_brands.html</link>
 <guid>http://medicarewheelchair.org/medicare_power_chair_brands.html</guid>
</item>
<item>
 <title>[Site Map] Medicare Wheelchair</title>
 <description>[Site Map] Medicare Wheelchair Choices And Tips. Get Reimbursed. Get Mobile. Click Here For Medicare Wheelchair Info.</description>
 <link>http://medicarewheelchair.org/Site_Map.html</link>
 <guid>http://medicarewheelchair.org/Site_Map.html</guid>
</item>
<item>
 <title>Medicare Power Chair - 7 Types of Medicare Power Chairs</title>
 <description>Medicare Power Chair Choices And Types. Get Reimbursed. Get Mobile. Click Here For Medicare Power Chair Types.</description>
 <link>http://medicarewheelchair.org/medicare_power_chair.html</link>
 <guid>http://medicarewheelchair.org/medicare_power_chair.html</guid>
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