How to Get a Wheelchair for a Geriatric Patient

If you are looking to obtain a wheelchair for a geriatric patient, you will first need to determine if they have medical insurance or if you will be purchasing the wheelchair that they need out of pocket. This will help you to decide the right course of action for obtaining a wheelchair for a geriatric patient.

Paying Cash

1. Look online for companies that market wheelchairs and motorized scooters to geriatric patients to find the best deal on the chair that they need.


2. Ask the doctor who treats the geriatric patient if they can refer you to a medical supply store that offers wheelchairs. Let them know that your patient does not have insurance, so that they can give you information on the lowest priced options available. 


3. Order the wheelchair or scooter either online or over the phone once you have found the company that carries the type of wheelchair that your geriatric patient needs at the best price available.

Medicare

1. Call 1-800-MEDICARE to find out how much of the cost of wheelchair that they are willing to pay for your geriatric patient.


2. Obtain a list of doctors from Medicare that are approved for treatment.


3. Visit a doctor that is approved by Medicare with the geriatric patient to obtain a prescription for a wheelchair. Let the doctor know that you need them to fill out all of the required paperwork that Medicare will need.


4. Ask the doctor to submit the required paperwork to Medicare for you. They will usually be able to fax in the proper paperwork for you.


5. Wait for an approval letter to come in the mail letting you know that the geriatric patient has been approved for funding.


6. Contact the company in which you will be purchasing the wheelchair from and pay the amount that Medicare will not pay. This is usually around 20 percent.