Posted on: Fri, Nov 20 2009 12:57 PM
Posted by: Hotwlzs
Posts: 92
Thanks for introducing this topic, Madonna. I've done a little bit of research but I still have questions about this proposed measure:
If the chair rental is brand-new, will they charge the full price of a new wheelchair if the person decides to purchase it after 13 months? Or will the price be depreciated to the cost of a one-year-old used wheelchair?
Lilly, you will have the same wheelchair after the 13th months its now paid for and you own it. No other cost to the medicare beneficary.
If the chair rental is used and reconditioned, how do they determine the cost for purchase after 13 months of rental? Are they proposing a system to evaluate the model and condition of wheelchairs, kind of like the Kelley Blue Book for cars? Well, this is something we will have to see when the program is implemented. Because we don't know how Providers will do this, with chairs that someone who has had prior and is reconditioned. I believe you get what you get, and that will be it.
Could this be an attempt to control what is perceived as excessive mark-ups in the cost of wheelchairs by the equipment supply companies?
I've read that wheelchair supply companies add a huge mark-up when they know that Medicare is going to be billed.
Keep in mind they only get paid for what they buy. Not the service of the chair, many providers go above and beyond this part for their clients. They do not get paid for endless travel and time to fit you for the chair, then to make sure that chair fits your disability, they only get paid for the chair. So keep in mind those costs of employees, time, travel and fuel and more are not calculated in the cost of that wheelchair. So you get a wheelchair that is paid for, the provider gets paid, but he is not reimbursed for making sure that chair fits you. There is so much involved for the provider to make sure the chair and power chairs are complex. REMEMBER we are TALKING Power Wheelchairs, .... so if you need head rests, certain other components that takes time.
Maybe this is a knee-jerk reaction to what some government officials believe is a Medicare fraud problem...?? Fraud is on Medicare parts, they knew companies were fraudlent and the good providers told Medicare that, they kept paying them, or did not site inspections, then they kept giving Medicare #s to new companies that they were not checking out.
Trust me, if People with Disabilities Do not wake up, they will lose all the good providers, because of this. I have had 2 providers for 28 years, and they are the good guys who will be gone. There are many issues in this health care reform that affect people who need power wheelchairs on of them is competitve bidding and elimination of the first month purchase option for power wheelchairs. Hang on for the ride.. OR call your senator today.. .and tell them you don't want to rent a power wheelchair.
Thank you so much for your input and discussion on these issues. Madonna
If you reach you can grasp the stars. But you have to reach.
