Medicare Update

POWER MOBILITY (Effective 11/15/06):

In order to provide your patients with power mobility equipment, the most critical concerns for the physician are to adhere to the following Medicare guidelines:

1. Physician needs to have a face-to-face examination of the patient.

2. Physician has to address the Medicare coverage criteria outlined below.

3. The wheelchair supplier has to receive the supporting documentation, including the patient’s diagnosis within 45 days of the exam date.

Progressive Medical Equipment

Phone: 913-894-4400

Fax: 913-894-4405

E-mail: mmartin@pmekc.com

To contact us:

RECENT UPDATES

Medicare /Medicaid

Accredited through:

Copyright © 2007  Progressive Medical Equipment, LLC. All rights reserved.

ATS certified through:

Power Wheelchair Physician’s Guide

· State that the nature of this appointment is for Mobility Assessment.

· State the mobility limitation which prohibits safe ADLS, (Activities of Daily Living), in the home.

· State why a walker is inappropriate for this patient and list diagnosis that supports it.

· State why a manual wheelchair is inappropriate for this patient and list diagnosis that supports it. (Generally, upper arm strength indicates ability/inability to safely operate a manual wheelchair.  Keep in mind that manual wheelchairs can be operated using feet to assist.  Can this patient safely foot propel a manual wheelchair?)

· State why a POV/Scooter is inappropriate for this patient and list reason for this.  (When considering POV/Scooter, please take into account patient’s home environment, as well as, the patient’s flexibility, trunk strength, dexterity, and how long a patient will be in the POV/Scooter seat during the day.)

· State whether the patient has the physical and mental abilities to safely operate a power wheelchair in the home.

· List appropriate diagnosis.

· Physician’s signature and date.

If you have additional questions regarding the above Medicare guidelines, we would be happy to help you.  We are offering a short educational session where we can come to your office, walk you and your staff through the coverage criteria in more detail, provide examples and handouts materials. To schedule an appointment, call 913-894-4400 or email mfisher@pmekc.com.

St. Louis office:

5988 Mid Rivers Mall Drive

St. Charles, MO 63304

Phone:  314-256-9640