THE REVERE ADVOCATE – WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2021 Page 15 Does Medicare Cover Mobility Scooters or Wheelchairs? Dear Savvy Senior, I have arthritis in my hips and knees and have a diffi cult time getting around anymore. What do I need to do to get a Medicarecovered electric-powered scooter or wheelchair? Need a Ride Dear Need, If you’re enrolled in original Medicare, getting an electricpowered 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 diffi cult, 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 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 afford 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 800-633-4227 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 specific 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. Public Hearing on Improving Beach Access for People With Disabilities on November 30 Floating wheelchairs and mobility mats made it possible for the Wallis family to enjoy a day at the beach this summer thanks to Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s Better Beaches Program and Triangle, Inc. O n Tuesday, November 30, at 10:00 AM, the Metropolitan Beaches Commission and Save the Harbor/Save the Bay will convene a Virtual Public Hearing focused on improving access for people with disabilities on the Commonwealth’s public beaches in Lynn, Nahant, Revere, Winthrop, East Boston, South Boston, Dorchester, Quincy and Hull. The public is welcome to join us to share their thoughts on what is working and what we can do better. You can register for the hearing by following this link https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtfuqgrj0sG9TqjeIa1rCNfl HCx69GR_mF At the hearing we expect to hear from members of the disability community as well as a panel of experts including; Ellen Attaliades, President and CEO of the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers (ADDP), Kristen McCosh, Commissioner of the Boston Disabilities Commission, Coleman Nee, Chief Executive Offi cer of Triangle, Inc., Kathy Lafferty, Executive Director of the South Boston Neighborhood House and Laila Soleimani, Outreach Specialist at DCR’s Universal Access Program. Acting DCR Commissioner Stephanie Cooper is also expected to attend. For more information about the MBC or the hearing, please contact Save the Harbor's Executive Director Chris Mancini by email to mancini@savetheharbor.org or on his cell at (617) 9096667, or their Director of Strategy & Communications Bruce Berman by email to bruce@bostonharbor.com or on his cell at 617293-6243. About the Metropolitan Beaches Commission The Metropolitan Beaches Commission is a permanent Commission charged with making fi ndings and recommendations to the Legislature and the Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) on ways to improve the metropolitan region's public beaches. It was established by the Massachusetts Legislature in 2006 and is led and managed by Save the Harbor/Save the Bay. You can fi nd more information about the MBC on Save the Harbor/Save the Bay's website, and download copies of our previous reports at https://www.savetheharbor.org/ mbc-archives. Late last spring the Commission decided to focus attention on ways to increase diversity, equity and inclusion on the Metropolitan Region’s public beaches, to improve access for people of color, people with disabilities, and people who may not speak English as their primary language. In May, we heard from a diverse group of civic leaders and community members about ways in which we could increase diversity on the beaches and in our beach programming. “We hope to do for equity, diversity and inclusion what we did for management and maintenance of the Metropolitan Beaches.” said Commission Co-Chair Senator Brendan Crighton of Lynn. “Working together we will provide DCR and our communities a blueprint for improving public access to take these beaches from good to great.” After the November 30th hearing on improving access for people with disabilities, in January of 2022 the MBC will hold a hearing on language barriers that aff ect public safety and enjoyment on our region’s public beaches. “Our state beaches are public treasures that belong to all of us” said Commission Co-Chair Representative Adrian Madaro of East Boston. “We need to advance environmental justice and center diversity, equity, and inclusion so that people of all backgrounds, conditions, and abilities can enjoy them for years to come.” Following that hearing, the Commission will host a Virtual Summit, at which they will present their preliminary fi ndings to a broad and diverse audience of beach users to get their thoughts and input. Following the Summit, the Commission will share a report of their fi ndings and recommendations with the Legislature, the Administration, DCR and the public. It will serve as a roadmap for improving access and increasing diversity, equity and inclusion on our public beaches going forward. “The legislative and the community members of the Commission hope that this hearing will help us better understand the challenges facing people with disabilities on the metropolitan beaches,” said Chris Mancini, Executive Director of Save the Harbor/ Save the Bay. “We are looking forward to working together with DCR to develop strategies to improve access to these spectacular urban natural resources for everyone.” For more information about the MBC or the hearing, please contact Save the Harbor's Executive Director Chris Mancini by email to mancini@savetheharbor.org or on his cell at (617) 9096667, or their Director of Strategy & Communications Bruce Berman by email to bruce@bostonharbor.com or on his cell at 617293-6243.
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