This article discusses the draconian policies of Medicare as it affects wheelchair users, not only referring to the "in home" policy but further recent restrictions.
"Last fall, Medicare made the guidelines even more rigid, categorizing people by types of diagnoses in order to decide what kind of wheelchair to cover.
"You really can't just group people with the same diagnosis," says Lois Tucker, an occupational therapist who works at a Rehabilitative Technology Supplier (RTS) in New York. "Two people with rheumatoid arthritis can be very different cases. One person could be basically paraplegic, but Medicare still would only cover a group two [lower functioning] wheelchair for them."
Worse yet, Medicare will not cover the highest functioning wheelchairs (groups four, five, and six) at all now."
Via AlterNet
Click above to read the rest of the article.
4 comments:
Too true. I just refinanced my house to pay privately for porchlift and reconditioned used scooter. I can walk or I can do things, but not both at the same time. I'm looking forward to the added freedom --- and paying for it for the next 30 years --- but know that few people have a little anchor hold they can mortgage to get that kind of cash. [Lift and scooter are setting me back about $10,000]
The inflated prices of medical equipment is part of the problem. As more of us have to pay out of pocket for more things, attention really needs to go to finding ways to make equipment more affordable because we get "priced out" of things we need just to be mobile. I hear your gratitude (which I respect) that you can manage to do this but I also feel bad that it's so very expensive!
[grin] for 10 Kilobucks that scooter really ought to be new!
[more serious] maybe by the time I wear out the used scooter the rules will be reformed enough for the medicare or the other insurance to cover the next one.....
Private cost for medical equipment is up in the stratosphere, because they are trying to make up for the reduced payment they get from Medicare. The difference in what Medicare allows for medical services, etc., compared to what others pay is outrageous.
To lump everyone with a given diagnosis together is criminal. I have Parkinson's, but I'm in Stage I. Would I be lumped with someone in end stage Parkinson's, even though their needs would obviously be different than mine?
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