Lift Chairs and Medicare

Introduction

While buying a new lift chair, many times people tend to think that their purchase will be eventually reimbursed by the Medicare. However, there are certain facts about lift chairs and Medicare that you should know before buying a new one. Earlier, insurance companies such as Medicare used to reimburse the cost of buying a lift chair. However, for the most part, they no longer offer this. There are several restrictions that have been introduced by Medicare to prevent reimbursements.

Main Item

Are you eligible for a Medicare lift chair reimbursement?

In this modern world, lift chairs are a remarkable invention, particularly useful for those individuals who experience trouble in getting up from their chair. In fact, lift chair provides the freedom to sit and stand without the help of others, especially for people suffering with back problems, arthritis and various other illnesses. While buying a new lift chair, many times people tend to think that their purchase will be eventually reimbursed by the Medicare. However, there are certain facts about lift chairs and Medicare that you should know before buying a new one.

Type of Lift Mechanisms:

This isn't as much of a concern with new chairs, but some older models aren't covered by Medicare because of the potentially dangerous lift mechanism inside them. Spring-lift chairs aren't covered and should be avoided, even if you're willing to foot the bill on your own. The danger comes in the unsteady and rapid lift caused by the spring. It's unlikely that you'd find this type of chair today in a reputable shop, but some stores might still carry them despite the warnings. To be eligible for Medicare reimbursement, a lift chair needs to have an electrical lifting system that's slow and steady.

Earlier, insurance companies such as Medicare used to reimburse the cost of buying a lift chair. However, for the most part, they no longer offer this. There are several restrictions that have been introduced by Medicare to prevent reimbursements. Some of these restrictions are listed below.

• 1. Rather than reimbursing the entire cost of the lift chair, Medicare will provide reimbursement only for the cost of the lifting mechanism. This is because, according to Medicare, the lift mechanism present in the lift chair is durable and does not get damaged easily.
• 2. The reimbursement will be provided only when the usage of lift chair is recommended to the patient by a registered and certified doctor. According to Medicare, the lift chair must be used by the physician as a part of treatment regimen and must either provide improvement to the existing condition of the patient or has to help in arresting the condition from further deterioration.
• 3. To purchase a lift chair and apply for a reimbursement with Medicare, the individual must be suffering from a medically related debilitating health condition that can include severe arthritis, muscular dystrophy or any other neuromuscular disorder.
• 4. There are different types of lift chairs that are available in the market. Under the Medicare reimbursement policy, only chairs that can be operated smoothly and those controlled by the patient are covered. So, that means the cost of buying a lift chair that operates by spring release mechanism (only) is not reimbursed.
• 5. The total reimbursement amount varies from state to state. In general, this amount is something around $300.

Medicare will pay for some types of durable medical equipment and supplies so that you can be provided with the things you need. But in the case of lift chairs, most people purchase the chair first and then apply for reimbursement. The wait for approval for such a purchase can be a long one, and most people understandably prefer to get the equipment they need now rather than wait and struggle to get along without it. Normally, filing a reimbursement form through Medicare is a simple process, filing three documents. One is the Certificate of Medical Necessity or (CMN) that indicates the necessity of buying the equipment, a doctor's prescription for a lift chair and a copy of the bill of sale.

If you opt to purchase the chair, be sure that the supplier you use meets with Medicare's relatively new supplier requirements. Their policies changed in October 2009, to require that all DMEPOS suppliers be accredited and carry a surety bond. Many companies that have been Medicare suppliers for years already had these things in place, but other companies had to acquire the necessary bond and accreditation to become Medicare-approved. If you purchase something from a company that doesn't meet these eligibility requirements, you won't be reimbursed, even if the item is something that's medically necessary and that Medicare fully covers.

It's important that the doctor's prescription and the CMN are both signed by the doctor. All these three documents must be posted to the Medicare's regional claims' office. Upon approval of the application, the applicant will be provided with a check containing the reimbursed amount for the lift chair. As always, be sure to check with Medicare for the latest in information whether you're eligible for a Medicare reimbursement.

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Cite This Page (APA): Langtree, I. C. (2009, February 11 - Last revised: 2022, April 4). Lift Chairs and Medicare. Disabled World. Retrieved December 1, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/assistivedevices/seating/lift-chairs-medicare.php

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