The Medicare & Medicaid Center

The Scooter Store, the nation’s largest supplier of power wheelchairs (electric wheelchairs) and mobility scooters, today announced it supports changes to the Social Security Act that would eliminate language restricting power wheelchairs and scooters obtained through Medicare to use inside a person’s house or home.

Below is the actual press release from The Scooter Store released today:

The SCOOTERStore announced today its full support for revisions to the Social SecurityAct that would eliminate language restricting power wheelchairs and
scooters obtained through Medicare to use inside a beneficiary’s home.
    Organizations representing people living with disabilities, such as the
Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid Coalition (ITEM), have deplored the restriction, saying it unfairly limits Medicare coverage
and prevents many people who need mobility devices from obtaining it.
    Two members of the United States House of Representatives, James
Langlevin (D-RI.) and Jim Ramstad (R-MN), have sponsored legislation that
would amend the Social Security Act and significantly increase mobility for
Medicare beneficiaries. Under the revision, beneficiaries could obtain
power wheelchairs and scooters that allow them to perform daily activities
outside of their home, such as going to church, the bank and grocery
shopping.
    “It’s clear that removing this restriction can vastly improve the
quality of life for Medicare beneficiaries in need of mobility equipment,”
said Doug Harrison, CEO and founder of The SCOOTER Store. “Physicians want
patients with mobility impairments to become as active and mobile as
possible. This change in Medicare regulations is long over due, and will
put the coverage criteria more in sync with today’s medical practices.”
    The “in the home” language was originally drafted to differentiate
between Durable Medical Equipment (DME) used in hospitals and nursing homes
from equipment that was used outside of those facilities, such as in a
beneficiary’s home. Over the years, however, the government interpreted the
language differently, and used it to restrict Medicare coverage to power
wheelchairs and scooters that beneficiaries needed to perform daily
activities exclusively in their homes.
    Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) is likely to reintroduce legislation in the
Senate, which would accomplish the same goal as the house legislation. Sen.
Bingaman, with former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA), last year sponsored the
Medicare Independent Living Act, a measure that would have removed the
restriction.
    “We look forward to the day when seniors and people living with
disabilities can obtain mobility equipment that will increase their
mobility both inside and outside of their homes,” Mr. Harrison said. “This
legislation is a Declaration of Independence for seniors and people with
mobility impairments. It can give them freedom and independence, and allow
many people to engage actively in their communities.”
    About The SCOOTER Store
    Since 1991, The SCOOTER Store has helped provide freedom and
independence to more than 280,000 people with limited mobility. The SCOOTER
Store offers a full line of durable medical equipment, including power
wheelchairs and scooters, lift, ramps and accessories through 47 states.
The SCOOTER Store has worked with more than 100,000 physicians, providing
expertise and quality service to their patients, and is accredited by the
Accreditation Commission for Health Care. For additional information, visit
The SCOOTER Store website at http://www.thescooterstore.com.

For more information about the Social Security Act, you can visit the official webpage at http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/ssact/comp-toc.htm.