Power lift chairs are special chairs designed for those who have mobility issues such as painful joints, weak bones, arthritis, leg injuries, and those who have had leg operations. With mobility issues, often the common problem is that there is a difficulty in standing, sitting down or even trying to lie down or get up due to the pain that is felt however with the use of power lift chairs these types of motion are easily done at the push of a button.
Power lift chairs run on electricity and they are sometimes referred to as electric lift chairs. These products aid mobility challenged users by slowly and steadily raising the seat until the user is at an almost standing position at the push of a button.
Since they are not your everyday chair, these electric lift chairs tend to be expensive and the more features there are the more expensive they’ll become. However if you have Medicare you’re in good hands because they do cover the acquisition of recliner lift chairs as long your paper work is correct and that you fit their criteria.
CRITERIA
For Medicare to reimburse the purchase of recliner lift chairs, you must first consult your doctor to see what sort of problem you have that affects your mobility. Medicare will only reimburse those who have any of the following: severe hip and/or knee arthritis and severe neuromuscular diseases.
This usually means that you cannot stand up using regular chairs or recliners without someone to help you do it, a loved one or your caregiver perhaps however you can move around without assistance once you’re not in a sitting position. Lastly, you should have “doctor’s orders” or prescription stating that the use of electric lift chairs as a mobility aid and to prevent your condition from worsening.
Step 01: FILLING UP THE FORMS SECTION A
To be able to fill up the correct form, you should go to the Medicare website and download the form called: Medicare form CMS-849 or Certificate of Medical Necessity for Seat Life Mechanisms. You will be required to put in all necessary personal data such as your name and address.
You will also be required to put in your health insurance claim number, some basic information about your doctor and his or her National Plan Identification (NPI) number as well as the coding system number of the type of chair that is covered. It’s also required that you put in and exactly where the recliner lift chairs will be used: your home or the nursing home where you live.
In filling up forms, be sure that all information is correct because wrong information or false claims will affect your eligibility.
Step 02: FILLING UP THE FORMS SECTION B
This section is for your doctor to fill in therefore you should go and see him again because all questions that he or she will answer here is about your medical condition, how long you should be using electric lift chairs, and some diagnostic codes that describe your condition.
Step 03: FILLING UP THE FORMS SECTION C
This part of the form should be answered by the store where you’re planning to buy power lift chairs from. Ask them to describe in detail the type of chair your doctor has ordered for you and the extra accessories for better functionality.
Step 04: FILLING UP THE FORMS SECTION D
Back again to your physician, who will review the form and determine that all information is true and correct to the best of his knowledge and then signs the said section.
Step 05: FILING THE FORMS
Always remember that all information that all parties involved will enter should be true and correct otherwise the chances of being approved will be slim. You can also ask your power lift chairs supplier or your doctor to file the form on your behalf as this method is better received by Medicare.
There are also those who purchase the chair first and then file for reimbursement later and if this is you, keep your documentation intact because this is your proof of purchase. The last detail that you should know is that Medicare will only cover the lifting mechanism of the chair in the amount of $300.