How to Get a Free Wheelchair

Would you like a free wheelchair? How about a freeletter must explain why you need powered chair
powered wheelchair?instead of a manual chair.
Well, if you have mobility problems, this sounds great,Medicaid
doesn't it? So, how do you get a free wheelchair?Medicaid varies somewhat from state to state since it
You need to check with you health insuranceis state-run program, not a federal program. However,
company. Many insurance companies, includingMedicaid will generally provide a free wheelchair or
Medicare and Medicaid, will pay for wheelchairs if yourfree powered wheelchair when such a chair is
doctor fills out paperwork or writes a prescriptionmedically necessary. If you have a Medicaid spend
stating you require one for medical reasons. Thedown or deductible, however, you will probably have to
specifics, of course, will depend on your particularpay that before receiving your chair.
insurance policy.If you do not have health insurance and you need a
Some insurance policies will pay to purchase awheelchair, it is worth taking the time to find out if you
wheelchair, while others will pay to rent one. It mayqualify for Medicaid. Medicaid is generally available to
depend on your particular needs. If you are going tothose with low incomes, including children, the elderly,
need a wheelchair for a long time, insuranceand the disabled. You need to apply for Medicaid in the
companies may prefer to buy rather than rent. Also, ifcounty in which you live. You apply at the same place
you have special needs, you may require a customwhere you apply for Food Stamps. It is usually called
wheelchair, which will have to be purchased speciallythe Department of Social Services or the Department
for you.of Human Services or something similar.
Here is more information about specific fundingPrivate Health Insurance
sources for wheelchairs.If you have private health insurance, your policy may
Medicareor may not cover things like a wheelchair or free
You cannot get a completely free wheelchair or freepowered wheelchair. Look in your policy under
powered wheelchair from Medicare. Medicare will pay"Durable Medical Equipment" and it will tell you what is
80% of the cost of a wheelchair, and you will beand what is not covered. Most private health insurance
responsible for the other 20%. If you have apolicies will not provide you with a free wheelchair,
supplemental health insurance policy, it may cover thehowever; you will usually have to pay a portion of the
other 20%. If you have Medicaid, it may cover thecost.
other 20% as well. Medicare will pay to rent aGet Help from Reimbursement Specialists at Medical
wheelchair for ten months, and after that will purchaseSupply Stores
the chair if it is still needed and the user wishes toMost medical supply stores that sell wheelchairs have
purchase it instead of continue to rent it.reimbursement specialists on staff. These
In order for Medicare to pay for a wheelchair, youreimbursement specialists deal with Medicare, Medicaid,
must require a wheelchair to get around inside theand health insurance companies all the time in order to
home. They will not pay for a chair if you only need itget payment for wheelchairs. They can help you
outside the home. Medicare will pay for either a manualinterpret your policy and figure out if you quality for a
wheelchair or a powered wheelchair, depending onfree powered wheelchair or manual wheelchair and tell
your needs. You will need a letter from your doctoryou what you need to do in order to get your
explaining why you need a wheelchair to get aroundinsurance company to pay.
inside the home. If you need a power wheelchair, the