Page 22 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021 S y Senior Does Medicare Cover Mobility Sa e a Dear Savvy Senior, I have arthritis in my hips and knees and have a difficult time getting around anymore. What do I need to do to get a Medicare-covered electric-powered scooter or wheelchair? Need a Ride Dear Need, If you’re enrolled in original Medicare, getting an electric-powered mobility scooter or wheelchair that’s covered by Medicare starts with a visit to your doctor’s offi ce. If eligible, Medicare will pay 80 percent of the cost, after you’ve met your Part B deductible ($203 in 2021). You will be responsible for the remaining 20 percent unless you have supplemental insurance. Here’s a breakdown of how it works. Schedule an Appointment Your fi rst step is to call your doctor or primary care provider and schedule a Medicare required, face-to-face mobility evaluation to determine your need for a power scooter or wheelchair. For you to be eligible, you’ll need to meet all of the following conditions: Your health condition makes moving around your home very difficult, even with the help of a cane, crutch, walker or manual wheelchair. You have signifi cant problems performing activities of daily living like bathing, dressing, getting in or out of a bed or chair, or using the bathroom. You are able to safely operate, and get on and off the scooter or wheelchair, or have someone with you who is always available to help you safely use the device. If eligible, your doctor will determine what kind of mobility equipment you’ll need based on your condition, usability in your home, and ability to operate it. It’s also important to know that Medicare coverage is dependent on your needing a scooter or wheelchair in your home. If your claim is based on needing it outside your home, it will be denied as not medically necessary, because the wheelchair or scooter will be considered a BY JIM MILLER Senio Mbili nir ior Scooters or Wheelchairs? M di nior James Laureat Lemieux C leisure item. Where to Buy If your doctor determines you need a power scooter or wheelchair, he or she will fi ll out a written order or prescription. Once you receive it, you’ll need to take it to a Medicare approved supplier within 45 days. To fi nd Medicare approved suppliers in your area, visit Medicare.gov/ medical-equipment-suppliers or call 800-633-4227. There are, however, circumstances where you may need “prior authorization” for certain types of power wheelchairs. In this case, you’ll need permission from Medicare before you can get one. Financial Aid If you have a Medicare supplemental (Medigap) policy, it may pick up some, or all of the 20 percent cost of the scooter or wheelchair that’s not covered by Medicare. If, however, you don’t have supplemental insurance, and can’t aff ord the 20 percent, you may be able to get help through Medicare Savings Programs. Call your local Medicaid offi ce for eligibility information. Or, if you fi nd that you’re not eligible for a Medicare covered scooter or wheelchair, and you can’t aff ord to purchase one, renting can be a much cheaper short-term solution. Talk to a supplier about this option. For more information about power mobility devices call Medicare at 800-6334227 or visit Medicare.gov/ coverage/wheelchairs-scooters. Medicare Advantage If you happen to have a Medicare Advantage plan (like an HMO or PPO), you’ll need to call your plan to fi nd out the specific steps you need to take to get a power-wheelchair or scooter. Many Advantage plans have specifi c suppliers within the plan’s network they’ll require you to use. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. OBITUARIES Born April 22, 1933 and known to his family and friends as Laurie, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 12, 2021 after a sudden and brief illness. Laurie was 88 years young at the time of his death. Laurie was the husband of the late Ann J. Lemieux, nee White, of Everett. He is survived by his four daughters, Attorney Mary Lemieux Sandorse, her husband Peter of Wakefi eld and their children Mary Kate and her husband Joseph DeSantis, Matthew and his wife, Michelle and Margaret (Meg), Annie Quill and her husband Greg of Peabody and their sons Michael and David, Jean Prast and her husband Brian of Longmeadow and their children, Dr. Brendan Prast and his fi ancée Carly, Emily and Collin and Theresa Carson of Maplewood NJ and her sons Jack and Jesse. He was predeceased by his parents Jean and Laureat Lemieux of Everett, his brothers Joseph Edmond and Donald George and his sister Marie Ange Woods. He is survived by his sister Ellen Vancura and her husband Frank of California and New Hampshire and his sister-inlaw Carol Lemieux of Florida and New Hampshire. Laurie is also survived by many nieces, nephews BAKER | FROM PAGE 14 and allowing them to testify as expert witnesses in civil and criminal cases • Prohibiting drivers from having loose or unsealed packages of marijuana in the driver’s compartment of a vehicle, under the same provision of the motor vehicle code that has long prohibited driving with open containers of alcohol • Recognizing the eff ectiveness of the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, which has been shown through scientifi c research to be the single most reliable fi eld sobriety test and friends. Laurie was a graduate of Our Lady of Pity High School in Cambridge and a 1955 graduate of Boston College with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Laurie was also granted a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Boston College in 1970, making him a proud “Double Eagle.” After a long career in the telecommunications industry that took him to Europe, Africa, Russia, China, India, South America and the Middle East, Laurie retired to spend time with his family, travelling for pleasure and focusing his time on his home on the Cape. Throughout his life, Laurie was the one friend or family member everyone looked to advice. He lived by example and if asked, off ered sage counsel. His wisdom and calm countenance was renowned. Over these last ten years since losing his beloved wife Ann, Laurie spent his time with his children and grandchildren, learning what the newest generation had to teach him. And, as always, reading at least several books a week. Laurie will be dearly missed by all who knew him since all who knew him, loved him. Kevin T. O’Malley bara DePesa of Quincy. The two married on June 25, 1978, in St. Paul’s Church, Hingham. Together they shared 43 loving years of marriage. Loving brother of Neal O’Malley and his wife Nancy of Illinois, Dennis O’Malley and his wife Bernadette of Winchester, Nancy Morrissey and her late husband Jack of Virginia, Maureen O’Malley and her husband Gerard Allen of Marshfi eld, Brenda Rutherford and her husband Jim of Framingham, and Janet O’Malley and her husband Mansoor Ghori of Texas. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. Late U.S. Navy Veteran of the Vietnam War. Retired photographer for Metropolitan District Commission. In lieu of fl owers, memorial contributions may be sent in Kevin’s name to Dana Farber-Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center at South Shore Hospital, 101 Columbian St., S. Weymouth, MA 02190, or South Shore VNA, 55 Fogg Rd., S. Weymouth, MA 02190. Emily Louise Mugford 74, of Quincy, died peacefully at home on Monday, November 8, 2021. Born in Everett on February 13, 1947, he was the son of the late John E. and Mary T. (Warren) O’Malley. Beloved husband of Bar• Empowering police offi cers to seek electronic search warrants for evidence of chemical intoxication, as is the practice in over 30 other states; any blood draw would have to be authorized by a neutral magistrate after a showing of probable cause, and would be performed by a doctor, nurse or other appropriate medical staff at a health care facility. • Developing educational materials and programming on drug impairment to share with trial court judges Recent data released by the National Highway Traffi c SafeBAKER | SEE PAGE 26 Emily entered eternal rest Wednesday morning, November 10, 2021 at her home in Medford, surrounded by her loving care takers. She was 93 years of age. Born in Chelsea, she is the daughter of the late Roland D. and Minnie (Penney) Mugford. Emily was raised in Everett and she was a longtime resident before moving into a group home in Medford, where she has been living for the past 10 years. Emily is a late member of the Calvary Christian Church in Lynnfi eld. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her within her Church and Group Home family. Emily is the sister of the late Harvey R. Mugford. Aunt of William and Jean Mugford of NH.
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