Finally gonna try to use Medicare to get a chair

[fuentejps]

I have only gotten chairs from private insurance not medicade, but it is my understanding that private insurers use the same criteria. I was able to get a TR3 paid for because I get in and out of my car quite a bit during the day and am developing shoulder problems (the latter also got me a smartdrive). Not sure if it is relevant, but you never know.

my private ins always covers my tilites tr3/zr. i think the issue is the amount they cover

[Smashms]

It might be harder for you not having a complete injury.

complete or incomplete shouldn't and dosen't matter.

[t8burst]

complete or incomplete shouldn't and dosen't matter.

Shouldn't is the opinion of the consumer, but it is the insurance companies that would be the ones that decides the doesn't

[August West]

I've had great results in getting titanium wheelchairs approved. Not so much in actually getting the chair.

[Andy]

Good luck on the journey...you sure you didn't get the ex-J&J Ibot salesman there? lol Those grandiose claims of insurance approval expertise sure sound familiar

[NW-Will]

I should know this by now.
What is the most $$ Medicare(80%) will pay for the basic ultralight chair (K0005) without any of the extra add on HCPCS(Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System) K codes ?
Is there a source somewhere online for the amount the DME gets for the K codes?
It's about $2000.00 I believe.

Be interesting to see a comparison of which K codes each DME uses when getting reimbursement for folks chairs too.

K0020 - Fixed, adjustable height armrest, pair
K0040 - Adjustable angle footplate, each

etc..

https://hcpcs.codes/k-codes/

[Oddity]

The allowable for K0005 is indeed ~$2000. It varies by state. In VA it's ~$2050 this year. CMS has the DME Fee Schedule available for download on their main site.

https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicar...-Schedule.html

Medicare always send a EoB explaining what they were billed for and what they paid.

The further down this rabbit hole I get the more I'm suspecting DME retailers shenanigans when it comes to titanium chairs. They're all coded the same, and TiLite's chairs all have current classification under K0005. I don't think Medicare cares since they're paying out the $2,050 no matter what chair you medically qualify for under K0005. You know who does care? Manufacturers and DMEs. I don't think it's an accident that getting a ZR is now an upgrade to the base ZRA. Medicare DOES care about upgrades.

I should know this by now.
What is the most $$ Medicare(80%) will pay for the basic ultralight chair (K0005) without any of the extra add on HCPCS(Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System) K codes ?
Is there a source somewhere online for the amount the DME gets for the K codes?
It's about $2000.00 I believe.

Be interesting to see a comparison of which K codes each DME uses when getting reimbursement for folks chairs too.

K0020 - Fixed, adjustable height armrest, pair
K0040 - Adjustable angle footplate, each

etc..

https://hcpcs.codes/k-codes/

[Curt Leatherbee]

I use to have an Tilite Aero X and the Tilite Aero Z looks pretty good. Both these chair should be covered. I normally just pay cash for my chairs, no way would medicare cover the carbon fiber chair I currently use as it was 4500 bucks.

[MonkeyWheels]

I just used Medicare to get a wheelchair. I am on Aetna Medicare Advantage, but it doesn't really matter if you have straight Medicare or an Advantage plan. Either way they are going to pay 80% of the approved cost. I worked with NuMotion (not my first choice) but they are in network. I had to first go the the Dr. to get a prescription, then a physical therapist, with the therapist NuMotion speced out the chair and now it is back to the Dr. for a signature. It is a Tilite Areo Z. NuMotion informed me that Medicare will not approve a titanium chair. This is also including a Smart Drive. I don't know what my out of pocket will be yet, but the first estimate is $1400.

Mark

[t8burst]

I use to have an Tilite Aero X and the Tilite Aero Z looks pretty good. Both these chair should be covered. I normally just pay cash for my chairs, no way would medicare cover the carbon fiber chair I currently use as it was 4500 bucks.

Hey Curt,

You have a 4.5K carbon fiber chair? Can you send a link to the companies website?

[Oddity]

Motioncomposites.com

[Oddity]

Got my FIRST call back from the DME guy yesterday. 3 months later. I deliberately didn't call them just to see if the horror stories of dealing with DME vendors might happen. 3 months. They said at the seating eval they'd call me in a couple weeks. Wow. I'm not hurting for a new chair, so I'm in no rush, but sheeeeeesh. Of course, we're starting over because it apparently it took then 3 months for figure out everything I told them during the eval was true. Unbelievable. Yet, totally believable. Heading back to the doctor this morning to get a new script for an appropriate chair and correct letter of medical necessity to match my needs. Back to square one. LOL!! "Here we go 'round the mullberry bush! The mulberryBush! The mulberrybush!"

[MikeP2013]

Got my FIRST call back from the DME guy yesterday. 3 months later. I deliberately didn't call them just to see if the horror stories of dealing with DME vendors might happen. 3 months. They said at the seating eval they'd call me in a couple weeks. Wow. I'm not hurting for a new chair, so I'm in no rush, but sheeeeeesh. Of course, we're starting over because it apparently it took then 3 months for figure out everything I told them during the eval was true. Unbelievable. Yet, totally believable. Heading back to the doctor this morning to get a new script for an appropriate chair and correct letter of medical necessity to match my needs. Back to square one. LOL!! "Here we go 'round the mullberry bush! The mulberryBush! The mulberrybush!"

We never got call from ones bought out old DME. At about time would usually be obtaining rehab powerchairs from old owner of DME gave them a call. The person we were dealing with that praised our Rx Justification Letter from doctors was on vacation.
About 3 month period called, well we can't get chairs Mama and I had picked, they were ones theat he'd recommended at time of ordering. Then told us would need start process over again due to rule about face to face on Rx from doctor. That's when we decided to politely decline.
We really need to get started again the second hand chair we bought Mama out-of-pocket is struggling and my backup is a bit to long in tooth, some powered equipment don't work any longer which is not current covered Medicare chair be Out Of Pocket to get parts/repaired. Just hate ideal of getting started again by another DME!

[xsfxsf]

Good luck on the Medicare situation. I haven't used Medicare to fund a wheelchair for me in at least 10 years, although they funded a power chair for me (partly) back in 2003 if I remember right. I typically need a wheelchair very quickly when it's time to get one, and the Medicare process lately just seemed exhausting and slow whenever I would start the process.

[fuentejps]

i remember talking about this with you guys last summer, crazy timeline