Every year, many millions of Americans use Medicare to help provide affordable health care. Medicare is a type of federally funded insurance that is available to those who are over the age of 65 or suffer from a few different physical conditions, such as those with acute kidney problems. Medicare not only helps provide affordable health care, but can also be used to cover the costs of some types of durable medical equipment.
Medicare is divided into several parts, which are used to group the different kinds of services offered by Medicare. For example, Part A Medicare Benefits cover things like extended hospital stays. Durable Medical Equipment is covered by Part B Benefits, so in order to receive reimbursement for these kinds of devices, it is necessary to receive Part B Benefits. Most of those on Medicare do receive Part B Benefits, but in some situations it might not be available. However, if you receive Part B Benefits, you will usually be able to have the cost of your durable medical equipment covered.
Durable Medical Equipment actually covers a great deal of different kinds of home medical equipment. This includes prosthetics, wheelchairs, eye glasses, hospital beds, and many other devices. The devices are covered differently though, with the insured often having to meet a number of specific requirements.
For example, in order for a mobility scooter to be covered, the insured must need the mobility scooter for use in all areas of their home and not just for use when away from the home. Lift chairs are another type of device that has some special requirements and also limitations that the insured must meet.
For instance, in order for a lift chair to be covered, the insured must suffer from severe arthritis or have severe knee or hip problems that prevent them from standing from any chair in their home. Once standing they must be able to walk without assistance. If the insured meets these requirements, the lift chair will be partially reimbursed, usually up to about $300 of the costs, which accounts for the cost of the lifting mechanism. This differs from other types of home medical equipment, of which 80% of the cost is typically covered by Medicare. There are also some other requirements that the insured must meet in order for the lift chair to be covered.
While a great number of those who use Medicare are covered by the traditional Part A, Part B, and Part C benefits, there is another type of Medicare coverage available. This there type of coverage is called a Medicare Advantage Plan. A Medicare Advantage Plan is a program that is offered by a private insurance company. The plan itself is still funded by the Federal Government and is required to cover the same things that traditional Medicare would, however the private companies are allowed to choose how they cover the items. This means they might offer a discount on prescriptions, while charging more for durable medical equipment. Medicare Advantage Plans have also been in the news lately due to potential rate increases, which were approved by Congress.
For those who can receive Medicare, it can be an important tool for providing affordable health care. Many would not be able to afford it otherwise and it can make many types of home medical equipment, such as the wheelchair, much more affordable.
Samuel is writer with a medical background. When attempting to receive reimbursement for Medicare Lift Chairs, it is important to understand that the entire lift chair will not be covered. Instead only the lifting system of lift chairs will be covered. Other types of durable medical equipment also have limitations or special requirements that must be met, so it is very important to know what is covered by Medicare before you purchase it.
No comments:
Post a Comment