littletonway, you are right about Medicare covering some medical equipment. But anything must be ordered by a doctor and must meet medicare standards of need. Many items such as wheelchairs and hospital beds are ordered as rentals. If the person continues to use them past a certain number of months then they are considered paid for.
I wouldn't walk into a medical supply store and order something without being certain the doctor will approve it.
Also some things that aren't covered under Medicare can be covered by a Medicaid program. (My husband would not have been eligible for a mobility scooter under Medicare but his case manager arranged for it under the Medicaid Elderly Waiver program.)
All in all I think it is helpful to discuss needs with the patient's case manager if that is feasible.
Medicare will take care of all that. You can look in phone book for medical supply stores or if you have one nearby go in to check out what they offer. The only thing you will have to pay for is - upgrades if you prefer something other than the basic. You can even rent the items, delivery included and it will all be billed to medicare.
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I wouldn't walk into a medical supply store and order something without being certain the doctor will approve it.
Also some things that aren't covered under Medicare can be covered by a Medicaid program. (My husband would not have been eligible for a mobility scooter under Medicare but his case manager arranged for it under the Medicaid Elderly Waiver program.)
All in all I think it is helpful to discuss needs with the patient's case manager if that is feasible.
Good luck.
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