Manual wheelchair insurance is a must if you are rely on this piece of equipment in order to get around. Many people today depend on a wheelchair not only to shop or do other tasks, but to get around their homes. If you have arthritis, back problems, multiple sclerosis or any other disability that make it necessary for you to navigate in a wheelchair, you need to make sure it is covered in case of damage or loss. The tips below will help you when shopping for manual wheelchair insurance.
Without your wheelchair, you wouldn't be able to get around from place to place. Just like other medical equipment, your wheelchair is subject to damage or breakdowns eventually. This is why you need to make sure the costs are covered (or at least partially covered) by manual wheelchair insurance.
Check with your health or medical insurance provider
You may not be aware of it, but the provider you already use for health coverage may provide protection for your wheelchair as well. If they do not, you can check around with other providers, as many do offer this coverage.
When shopping online or on the telephone for manual wheelchair insurance, make sure you choose a reputable provider. You want a company that acts quickly should you submit a claim; you also want to compare rates between insurance companies. Make sure that you are comparing prices on policies that offer the exact same coverage.
Medicare or Medicaid may be an option
If you are 65 or older, Medicare often provides coverage and even pays for a new manual wheelchair if your doctor prescribed it. Your wheelchair must be necessary in order for you to move about the inside of your home; in other words, it will not be covered just because you think it would "be nice" or convenient to have one. If you have paid your annual deductible, Medicare will pay for 80% of the cost, leaving you with the remaining 20%.
Medicaid is somewhat different. In order to qualify, you must be considered disabled or have a very low income. What normally happens is that an individual is covered under both Medicare and Medicaid; when Medicaid pays a certain amount, Medicaid will often pick up the difference. However, you need to be aware that you should use the equipment providers Medicare or Medicaid recommends, otherwise they may not pay for your wheelchair.
When searching for the best manual wheelchair insurance for your needs, be aware that most all insurance policies have statements written in to their policies regarding coverage for wheelchairs. Read your policy carefully; you will normally find information regarding what the provider will not cover within the statement of what they do cover.
If you feel certain that you will be in a wheelchair for the rest of your life, you may want to look more closely at this area of a policy before you buy, so that you will have the coverage you need for your wheelchair needs. The information provided above will help you in choosing manual wheelchair insurance.
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