Power Lift Chair Medicare Coverage

People who suffer from the debilitating pain caused by arthritis and chronic joint disease know how arduous it is to do even the simple act of getting up from the couch. Elderly people and victims of these illnesses just find it very hard to move from point A to point B. If you no longer want to break your back (or knees) trying to get up or down from a chair, it’s time to go shopping for power lift chairs. Medicare doesn’t cover the entire cost of lift chairs, but it will pay for the lifting mechanism’s cost, so you don’t have to worry so much financially.

What are power lift chairs?

Lift chairs are more like recliners, only better. They eliminate the painful act of getting off and sitting down a seat. At the push of a button, the chair tilts to a standing position so that the user can simply walk out of it. When it’s time to return to the seat, the user simply leans back into the chair, and the user’s weight will trigger the motor to lower the chair.

Medicare coverage

The lift chairs of the early 80s used a spring mechanism to control the movement, but this wasn’t very safe. Lift chairs of today are powered by a motorized mechanism that allows the chair to move in a curving motion. This permits the user to use the device without any risks.

The lift mechanism is one of the most important parts of power lift chairs. Medicare coverage is restricted to this mechanism only, and not the whole chair. Moreover, the user should be able to meet a list of criteria before he or she could be eligible for the coverage. These requirements are:

• The user must be a patients suffering from arthritis. Arthritis is inflammation of the joints and causes mobility problems for people aged 50 and above. Sufferers experience pain when moving their joints. If the person has difficulty moving around at home but does not have arthritis, he or she will not qualify for the Medicare coverage.
• Since lift chairs are designed for arthritis patients and not for persons with disabilities, the individual should be able to walk without assistance from anyone upon getting off the chair.
• To avail of power lift chairs Medicare reimbursement, the would-be user should have a doctor’s prescription. Medicare provides compensation only if the chair is part of the patient’s arthritis treatment.

It’s hard to find health insurance that covers all medical emergencies these days. Medicare can bring so much relief once it becomes your ally. In most cases, people get a lift chair first, and then apply for a reimbursement. If this is what you plan to do, make sure to keep the original sales slips and the doctor’s prescription.