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How do I get a free wheelchair from Medicaid or Medicare?
http://www.mobility-scooters-direct.com/articles/16/1/How-do-I-get-a-free-wheelchair-from-Medicaid-or-Medicare/Page1.html
Ryan Wheaton
  
By Ryan Wheaton
Published on 09/4/2007
 
If you talk to Medicare, they will quickly tell you that they cover 80% of the cost of a power wheelchair or scooter under certain circumstances.  First, a Medicare approved doctor must perform a full physical and determine that you need a wheelchair or scooter for one or more of the following reasons:
It All Depends on Your Coverage
If you talk to Medicare, they will quickly tell you that they cover 80% of the cost of a power wheelchair or scooter under certain circumstances.  First, a Medicare approved doctor must perform a full physical and determine that you need a wheelchair or scooter for one or more of the following reasons: you have a spinal, brain, or muscular condition, you are unable to build upper body strength, or you are bedridden for the majority of your day when not in a wheelchair.                                                  

The same doctor that does the physical must then write out a prescription and fill out Medicare’s approval forms.  Medicare will pay for 80% after your deductible.  After reading Medicare’s rules, it becomes clear that they do not give away free wheelchairs.

If you have a supplemental insurance program or Medicaid, they may pick up the remaining 20% of the purchase price, but this is totally up to their review.  They do not have to approve coverage, even if Medicare has approved the wheelchair and is paying their 80%.  Each health insurance company has the right to approve or decline the application.

There is no way to guarantee you will receive a free wheelchair through using either Medicaid or Medicare.  A company that makes such a guarantee may be one of many who have one of many who have been sued by the attorney general office in Texas for fraudulent practices.  In one 2003 case, the company billed the federal government $12,000 for the wheelchair.  Medicare then sent the purchaser a bill for their portion plus the deductible.  In the end, the user never received the wheelchair.  This led to drastic changes with Medicare’s system.  They now have stricter standards to ensure the patient truly needs a wheelchair.

When shopping for a wheelchair, be cautious when looking for a company to help you get a free wheelchair. There are plenty of scammers out there, so make sure the company you go with is reputable and upfront with you about what they are capable of getting for you.  In addition, be sure to shop around.  Check prices of similar models before you make any decisions.  And, talk to your doctor for reputable medical equipment dealers to make sure you get the wheelchair you need.