9 replies to this topic

[rkzenrage]

Does anyone know if Medicare will pay to replace batteries that will no longer hold a charge for my power-chair. I just qualified for Medicare (7 year fight) and don't know about this. My chair batteries are dying.

[Illinois Boy]

Yes, you will have to pay 20%, find a dealer who'll change them..... Anything medical they jack the prices way up........
Probablly cost you less if you buy them at Wal-Mart or on the internet......
Jim

[rkzenrage]

Illinois Boy, on Dec 11 2008, 08:14 PM, said:

Yes, you will have to pay 20%, find a dealer who'll change them..... Anything medical they jack the prices way up........
Probablly cost you less if you buy them at Wal-Mart or on the internet......
Jim

Thank you, I'll check out Wal-Mart. I did not know they sold chair batteries.

[ac6tsxx]

rkzenrage, on Dec 11 2008, 04:58 PM, said:

Does anyone know if Medicare will pay to replace batteries that will no longer hold a charge for my power-chair. I just qualified for Medicare (7 year fight) and don't know about this. My chair batteries are dying.

I have only one Medicare chair, (several other chairs that I have obtained on my own- NOT COVERED-I'm on my own with these).
My medicare chair is maintained by my provider. I ask him and he said, "medicare will pay 80% for new batteries every 6 months if needed" . Take this for what it's worth. I have tried them once a year and that works. The balance is covered by medicaid or other insurance. In my case.

My DME provider sold me and medicare the chair, so they service it.

Most other insurance will replace batteries ONCE A YEAR.

I suggest you do like the others say, and talk to DME providers until you find one to help you. Now that you have Medicare, they want you for a future CHAIR SALE, and may help you since you do not have a Medicare DME at the moment. This is my humble opinion.

john

[rkzenrage]

ac6tsxx, on Dec 22 2008, 10:32 AM, said:

rkzenrage, on Dec 11 2008, 04:58 PM, said:

Does anyone know if Medicare will pay to replace batteries that will no longer hold a charge for my power-chair. I just qualified for Medicare (7 year fight) and don't know about this. My chair batteries are dying.

I have only one Medicare chair, (several other chairs that I have obtained on my own- NOT COVERED-I'm on my own with these).
My medicare chair is maintained by my provider. I ask him and he said, "medicare will pay 80% for new batteries every 6 months if needed" . Take this for what it's worth. I have tried them once a year and that works. The balance is covered by medicaid or other insurance. In my case.

My DME provider sold me and medicare the chair, so they service it.

Most other insurance will replace batteries ONCE A YEAR.

I suggest you do like the others say, and talk to DME providers until you find one to help you. Now that you have Medicare, they want you for a future CHAIR SALE, and may help you since you do not have a Medicare DME at the moment. This is my humble opinion.

john

Thanks!

[Gimpanzee]

Medicare will probably not pay for your replacement batteries as they did not fund the chair you're in now. In my opinion you should start the process to get a new chair funded through Medicare. Here's a problem: Medicare pays $X amount for a power chair and that's it, and generally the DME provider will get the cheapest piece of equipment (or shit) they can find. If you are an active user, these cheap chairs will generally not stand up under hard use. Additionally, if you require something like a tilt-in-space, or recliner, or special cushion, it is tough to get those through medicare. Check around with various local DME providers till you find someone who understands the system. Also, might be a good idea to check into Medicaid in your county. If you get with them, it is sometimes easier to get the specialized items you need, depending on the state you're in.
ALSO (I keep remembering things) insist on GEL batteries. Gel batteries are safer and last just as long as lead/acid ones, AND they are the only style most airlines allow should you travel. Agree to pay the difference if need be.

Edited by Gimpanzee, 24 December 2008 - 04:22 AM.

[advanced-mobiity]

Gimpanzee, on Dec 23 2008, 11:16 PM, said:

Medicare will probably not pay for your replacement batteries as they did not fund the chair you're in now. In my opinion you should start the process to get a new chair funded through Medicare. Here's a problem: Medicare pays $X amount for a power chair and that's it, and generally the DME provider will get the cheapest piece of equipment (or shit) they can find. If you are an active user, these cheap chairs will generally not stand up under hard use. Additionally, if you require something like a tilt-in-space, or recliner, or special cushion, it is tough to get those through medicare. Check around with various local DME providers till you find someone who understands the system. Also, might be a good idea to check into Medicaid in your county. If you get with them, it is sometimes easier to get the specialized items you need, depending on the state you're in.
ALSO (I keep remembering things) insist on GEL batteries. Gel batteries are safer and last just as long as lead/acid ones, AND they are the only style most airlines allow should you travel. Agree to pay the difference if need be.

Your Right,
Medicare will not pay for batteries on a chair they did not supply (pay for). Medicare reimburses $112.00 per battery for U1 gel cell batteries.

[rkzenrage]

advanced-mobiity, on Jan 2 2009, 10:364395 PM, said:

Gimpanzee, on Dec 23 2008, 11:16 PM, said:

Medicare will probably not pay for your replacement batteries as they did not fund the chair you're in now. In my opinion you should start the process to get a new chair funded through Medicare. Here's a problem: Medicare pays $X amount for a power chair and that's it, and generally the DME provider will get the cheapest piece of equipment (or shit) they can find. If you are an active user, these cheap chairs will generally not stand up under hard use. Additionally, if you require something like a tilt-in-space, or recliner, or special cushion, it is tough to get those through medicare. Check around with various local DME providers till you find someone who understands the system. Also, might be a good idea to check into Medicaid in your county. If you get with them, it is sometimes easier to get the specialized items you need, depending on the state you're in.
ALSO (I keep remembering things) insist on GEL batteries. Gel batteries are safer and last just as long as lead/acid ones, AND they are the only style most airlines allow should you travel. Agree to pay the difference if need be.

Your Right,
Medicare will not pay for batteries on a chair they did not supply (pay for). Medicare reimburses $112.00 per battery for U1 gel cell batteries.

Thanks, I found the best batteries on the market and the $395 is better than trying to get another chair at 41 when I will need another in my lifetime (Medicare only covers one chair).

[advanced-mobiity]

rkzenrage, on Jan 19 2009, 11:19 PM, said:

advanced-mobiity, on Jan 2 2009, 10:364395 PM, said:

Gimpanzee, on Dec 23 2008, 11:16 PM, said:

Medicare will probably not pay for your replacement batteries as they did not fund the chair you're in now. In my opinion you should start the process to get a new chair funded through Medicare. Here's a problem: Medicare pays $X amount for a power chair and that's it, and generally the DME provider will get the cheapest piece of equipment (or shit) they can find. If you are an active user, these cheap chairs will generally not stand up under hard use. Additionally, if you require something like a tilt-in-space, or recliner, or special cushion, it is tough to get those through medicare. Check around with various local DME providers till you find someone who understands the system. Also, might be a good idea to check into Medicaid in your county. If you get with them, it is sometimes easier to get the specialized items you need, depending on the state you're in.
ALSO (I keep remembering things) insist on GEL batteries. Gel batteries are safer and last just as long as lead/acid ones, AND they are the only style most airlines allow should you travel. Agree to pay the difference if need be.

Your Right,
Medicare will not pay for batteries on a chair they did not supply (pay for). Medicare reimburses $112.00 per battery for U1 gel cell batteries.

Thanks, I found the best batteries on the market and the $395 is better than trying to get another chair at 41 when I will need another in my lifetime (Medicare only covers one chair).

Medicare will pay for a new powerchair once every 5 years.

[texasmad]

rkzenrage, on Jan 19 2009, 10:19 PM, said:

advanced-mobiity, on Jan 2 2009, 10:364395 PM, said:

Gimpanzee, on Dec 23 2008, 11:16 PM, said:

Medicare will probably not pay for your replacement batteries as they did not fund the chair you're in now. In my opinion you should start the process to get a new chair funded through Medicare. Here's a problem: Medicare pays $X amount for a power chair and that's it, and generally the DME provider will get the cheapest piece of equipment (or shit) they can find. If you are an active user, these cheap chairs will generally not stand up under hard use. Additionally, if you require something like a tilt-in-space, or recliner, or special cushion, it is tough to get those through medicare. Check around with various local DME providers till you find someone who understands the system. Also, might be a good idea to check into Medicaid in your county. If you get with them, it is sometimes easier to get the specialized items you need, depending on the state you're in.
ALSO (I keep remembering things) insist on GEL batteries. Gel batteries are safer and last just as long as lead/acid ones, AND they are the only style most airlines allow should you travel. Agree to pay the difference if need be.

Your Right,
Medicare will not pay for batteries on a chair they did not supply (pay for). Medicare reimburses $112.00 per battery for U1 gel cell batteries.

Thanks, I found the best batteries on the market and the $395 is better than trying to get another chair at 41 when I will need another in my lifetime (Medicare only covers one chair).

Actually Medicare will cover a new chair every 5 years providing the other chair is worn beyond reasonable repair. Also if you check around and find a good company you can get Medicare to also pay for batteries on patient owned equipment, a lot of companies may require you to bill it unassigned which means you pay for them up front but you get your money back when medicare pays. If you recently just found yourself on Medicare I suggest doing some research on their website to help you understand all your rights under medicare.