Motorized Wheel Chair

A few important questions about motorized wheel chairs

As a first time buyer,  how do I know which motorized wheel chair is the right one for me?

In the last few years, many styles and models of motorized wheel chairs have become available on the market. Finding the right type can sometimes be difficult. If this is your first motorized wheelchair, it is best to go and check one out at a dealer. It is vital that you test drive a mobility wheelchair before you buy one. This will allow you to assess comfort, ease of use and flexibility of the device. In many cases, the dealer will also help you select the wheel chair which is ideal for you.

What are benefits of a motorized wheel chair?

Motorized wheel chairs allow you more freedom. You can go outside but the handling is not always great depending on the surface and the durability of the power chair. The majority of motorized wheel chairs are designed for indoor use on flat surfaces, so be sure to assess your needs and get the right wheelchair.

What is the weight capacity of a motorized wheel chair?

On average, most motorized wheel chairs will carry a weight of 200-300 lbs.

Can I use my motorized wheel chair on all surfaces?

It depends.  The majority of motorized wheel chairs are meant for use indoors on flat surfaces. Since these wheel chairs have small tires, they generally do not drive well on grass and consume a lot of power. Plus, you surely do not want to mess up your wheel chair by driving on mud and dirt.  However, there are motorized wheelchairs that are built for outdoor use so they can help you get to work and follow a regular routine.  Your motorized wheel chair dealer will help you decide what you need.  The outdoor use power chairs have a higher speed and can handle steeper inclines.

Do batteries come with the motorized wheel chairs?

Yes, all motorized wheel chairs come with a battery. The battery shelf life is 12-24 months depending on how you drive and where.  Driving on rough surfaces like grass and gravel always consumes more power. Many wheel chairs now come with self rechargers.

How do I know if the battery is running low?

The motorized wheel chair battery has indicators located on the control panel. When the indicator arrow is at yellow light, it is time to recharge the battery. Whenever the battery power is low, the indicator light will start to blink.
What additional supplies do I need with my motorized wheel chair?

While most motorized wheelchairs are sturdy and will last a long time, it is always precautionary to get a warranty. For the retiree, spending extra money on warranty may be worth it because it allows for more security.

What is the difference between a motorized wheel chair and a power chair?

The power chair is more compact and excellent for use along narrow alleys and tight spaces. It can even be used outdoors. Most power chairs can be operated with a single joy stick. On the other hand, motorized wheel chairs for community use are generally a little bit wider and used mostly indoors.

Do insurance plans for motorized wheel chairs?

Yes, Medicare and some medical health plans do pay for motorized wheel chairs. Some companies only pay for some of the costs. So always call up your insurance carrier ahead of time and find out what is covered and more importantly what is not.  If you live in Canada, there is a government plan which will pay for 75% of the cost of the motorized/power wheel chair.

In most cases you will needs a doctor’s certificate to prove the need for a wheelchair. For those individuals who can ambulate even a short distance, the benefits are usually declined.

If you have any more questions, please email us at contact (@) bestmotorizedwheelchair (.) com
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Life is certainly not easy for those who are crippled either by accident or disease. Many people are stuck in wheelchairs for long durations, some too disabled to make due with a manually powered one. These people, it seems, are running into trouble when it comes time to approach insurance companies.

A 3-year-old boy, Liam Russell, was intially denied his claim for a motorized wheelchair when medical professionals discovered that he had a rare degenerative disease called type 2 spinal muscular atrophy, which requires a motorized wheelchair in order to salvage indepedance. His parents were surprised by the insurance companies refusal of their claim.

The insurance statement read that they were covered for, in quotes, “durable medical equipment,” a vague promise that consumer advocates say is one example of health insurance companies writing policies in ways that gives them flexibility to deny claims of their choosing.

Ben and Lynn Russell, who are small business owners, were left in charge of covering the cost of their son’s chair, which was roughly $23,000. Assurant, the insurance company who denied them a motorized wheelchair, offered a manual chair instead but because of his atrophy, Liam’s disability doesn’t allow him to function properly in anything but a wheelchair that runs on batteries.

Liam’s grandmother, Amy Kaplan, continued to make appeals to the insurance company after the Russells were denied coverage twice. Assurant, who eventually buckled under the pressure and squeezed out a measily $2,549 towards the purchase of the $23,000 wheelchair, gave a lame excuse, saying that “this decision is made in accordance with coverage provisions” and based on 13 months of renting a manual wheelchair, which their policy covers.

The Russells continued to fight for their son’s wheelchair but, despite their efforts, their many appeals to the insurance company were never approved.

Kaplan wrote a letter to “Good Morning America” in an effort to bring their case to the media’s attention. After five months of waiting, during which Liam’s grandmother waited for communication, Assurant’s chief executive contacted her on the phone to schedule a telephone meeting. Liam’s wheelchair, however, was still not covered after the phone call had ended.

Liam continues to grow, though the #23,000 wheelchair that they have purchased now will become obsolete by the time he turns 10 and has outgrown it. ABC News spoke with Assurant’s senior executive, who would not appear on camera. After the phone conversation, the company issued a statement claiming that they were comissioning a study to look into the matter.

The Russells still do not have a concrete solution for their son’s future. They have set up a fund to help care for Liam, however with the cost of motorized wheelchairs and their son’s growth in mind, they may be looking at spending a fortune on wheelchairs in the upcoming years.

Liam’s fund:
“Liam Russell Supplemental Needs Trust”
c/o Moss Kaplan
2380 Fairfax Street
Denver, CO 80207