How do I Get a Manual Wheelchair Through Medicare?

To obtain a manual wheelchair through Medicare, you must follow a specific clinical and administrative process. Medicare covers manual wheelchairs that are deemed medically necessary for everyday mobility, typically covering 80% to 100% of the cost when working with an approved supplier.

The process involves the following steps:

1. Physician Prescription: You must first obtain a prescription from your healthcare provider. This documentation must demonstrate medical necessity, detailing your mobility limitations and explaining why other aids, such as canes or walkers, are insufficient for your needs.

1. Functional Assessment: You will need to undergo a functional mobility assessment, often conducted by a therapist or a certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP). This evaluation ensures the specific wheelchair model and features suit your physical capabilities and lifestyle.

1. Documentation for Custom Features: If you require lightweight models or custom seating, such as pressure-relief cushions or tilt-in-space mechanisms, additional documentation from an ATP-led evaluation is required to justify these features to Medicare.

1. Supplier Coordination: Once the clinical requirements are met, the paperwork is submitted to Medicare for approval. MedEquipped assists with insurance navigation and coordination, typically resulting in a delivery timeline of 30 to 60 days.