Five year replacement of mobility equipment

As expected when dealing with Medicare or any insurance, there are common misconceptions on Medicare's replacement on mobility equipment. If you have heard that you automatically qualify for new equipment once yours is five years old, this is in correct.

At any time (and this is true with most insurance companies) if your current equipment does not meet your medical needs, or you have had a decline in function and your current equipment cannot be modified, you are eligible for a new piece of equipment.

If your equipment is five years old and you wish to have it replaced there are a few things that need to happen. Does this equipment still appropriately fit your medical needs? Is the equipment in need of repairs? The cost of these repairs would have to total 60 percent of the cost of current insurance allowable to qualify for replacement.

You would need a local dealer to come out to your home to complete an evaluation on you and your equipment, then you would go through the Insurance process just like you had to when first obtaining the equipment. That process entails a face to face evaluation with your physician and a mobility evaluation with a physical or occupational therapist. In some cases this will need to be sent in for prior authorization.

Mobility equipment is a wonderful tool to help complete your (or your loved ones) mobility related activities of daily living. If you are interested in finding out more about this type of wheelchair or any other mobility needs you might have, please feel free to contact American Seating & Mobility at (877) 339-1234.