Hess Healthcare Services

Medical wheelchairs are one of the most common mobility aids and they play important roles in the daily lives of the elderly and handicapped persons. Medical wheelchairs have strong differences in how they feel, how they fit, how they respond and what they enable us to do.

STANDARD WHEELCHAIRS With large rear wheels, these type of wheelchairs can be self-propelled. Such a chair usually weighs over 30 pounds and is the perfect choice when you need a medical wheelchair that will be used less than 4 hours per day.

LIGHTWEIGHT WHEELCHAIRS - With wheelchair weights as low as 16 pounds and some available in folding models that can be held in a carrying bag, these wheelchairs are for those who want the lightest and most compact chair possible for limited storage space or for ease of use and transport, such as travel by air, cruise, train or ground transportation.

TRANSPORT CHAIRS- With four small wheels and light weight frames, transport wheelchairs are the perfect choice for transporting someone to and from the house or around the mall. Transport wheelchairs are narrower than standard wheelchairs, making them a good choice for tight hallways and narrow doorways around the house.

Medicare Coverage for wheelchairs:

Medicare is one important source of funding for wheelchairs and durable medical equipment. First, it is important to understand your basic Medicare benefits. Use the Medicare website, which is the official US Government Site for Medicare Information.

Essentially, Medicare Part A covers you while you are in the hospital or getting skilled nursing care. If you need a wheelchair in those kinds of health care facilities you will use what they provide for you to use. Medicare Part B for those who are eligible covers a range of outpatient health care services like a health insurance policy. This is the part of Medicare that pays for wheelchairs.

When it comes to information about durable medical equipment, consumers and rehabilitation technology suppliers must deal with the Durable Medical Equipment Regional Carrier (DMERC) that serves your state. Part B of Medicare divides the United States into 4 regions with a contractor within each region who administers and processes all of the claims for durable medical equipment within the region. Your first job is to determine which DMERC is responsible for your state. This DMERC Link will give you the toll free number for the DMERC for your state. Besides an 800 number, each DMERC has information in various formats to help you with any questions regarding equipment, a claim or an appeal.