Insurance Companies Making it Difficult for the Physically Challenged to Receive Wheelchairs.

April 9, 2010 - PRLog -- April 9, 2010 -- Individuals that are physically challenged are having trouble getting their insurance companies to cover the cost of a power wheelchair says Scooterlink.

In order to receive insurance reimbursement and coverage for a power wheelchair, a physician is required to give a Certificate of Medical Necessity (CMN) to be filed with the claim.  This paperwork includes questions about the patient’s medical condition and activity level.

Previously, claims for reimbursement through insurance companies have been denied if patients were able to walk a distance of 10-15 feet.  Recently it has been found that doctors are now asked a simple ‘yes or no’ question to determine if the individual is able to walk.  In some cases a person may only be able to walk a few feet yet the physicians are forced to answer this question with a general "yes" response.

In this case it is difficult for patients to receive a much needed power chair since insurance companies are refusing to cover the cost. This inflated amount then becomes the individual's responsibility and most people do not have the funds to pay for such equipment.

Scooter Link, an online medical equipment superstore, sells the same power wheelchairs that these insurance providers do , but in many cases for a quarter of the price. For example power wheelchairs coded by Medicare's K0823, found on many medical equipment websites.  This chair is typically priced by other companies at $3,449, somewhat lower than the regular price of $5,496. The Medicare Insurance allowable on the power wheelchair is $3641.40.  Medical equipment stores that bill insurance actually bill this amount or higher.  They can not, in turn, bill someone paying out of pocket a lesser amount.  However, Scooter Link has these same power chair available for $1999, including set up, delivery and a 2 year nationwide in-home labor warranty. Scooter Link does not have to follow these strict guidelines since they are not a part of the restricted Medicare provider network. They are here for the uninsured or for people that do not meet the criteria of their insurance company.

The Scooter Link family has been making people happy with prices for the uninsured since 1991. A web based organization that sells medical equipment & specializes in Electric Wheelchairs & Scooters. Go to www.scooterlink.com for more information.