| Every year, many millions of Americans use Medicare | | | | For instance, in order for a lift chair to be covered, the |
| to help provide affordable health care. Medicare is a | | | | insured must suffer from severe arthritis or have |
| type of federally funded insurance that is available to | | | | severe knee or hip problems that prevent them from |
| those who are over the age of 65 or suffer from a | | | | standing from any chair in their home. Once standing |
| few different physical conditions, such as those with | | | | they must be able to walk without assistance. If the |
| acute kidney problems. Medicare not only helps | | | | insured meets these requirements, the lift chair will be |
| provide affordable health care, but can also be used to | | | | partially reimbursed, usually up to about $300 of the |
| cover the costs of some types of durable medical | | | | costs, which accounts for the cost of the lifting |
| equipment. | | | | mechanism. This differs from other types of home |
| Medicare is divided into several parts, which are used | | | | medical equipment, of which 80% of the cost is |
| to group the different kinds of services offered by | | | | typically covered by Medicare. There are also some |
| Medicare. For example, Part A Medicare Benefits | | | | other requirements that the insured must meet in order |
| cover things like extended hospital stays. Durable | | | | for the lift chair to be covered. |
| Medical Equipment is covered by Part B Benefits, so in | | | | While a great number of those who use Medicare are |
| order to receive reimbursement for these kinds of | | | | covered by the traditional Part A, Part B, and Part C |
| devices, it is necessary to receive Part B Benefits. | | | | benefits, there is another type of Medicare coverage |
| Most of those on Medicare do receive Part B Benefits, | | | | available. This there type of coverage is called a |
| but in some situations it might not be available. | | | | Medicare Advantage Plan. A Medicare Advantage |
| However, if you receive Part B Benefits, you will | | | | Plan is a program that is offered by a private |
| usually be able to have the cost of your durable | | | | insurance company. The plan itself is still funded by the |
| medical equipment covered. | | | | Federal Government and is required to cover the |
| Durable Medical Equipment actually covers a great | | | | same things that traditional Medicare would, however |
| deal of different kinds of home medical equipment. | | | | the private companies are allowed to choose how |
| This includes prosthetics, wheelchairs, eye glasses, | | | | they cover the items. This means they might offer a |
| hospital beds, and many other devices. The devices | | | | discount on prescriptions, while charging more for |
| are covered differently though, with the insured often | | | | durable medical equipment. Medicare Advantage Plans |
| having to meet a number of specific requirements. | | | | have also been in the news lately due to potential rate |
| For example, in order for a mobility scooter to be | | | | increases, which were approved by Congress. |
| covered, the insured must need the mobility scooter | | | | For those who can receive Medicare, it can be an |
| for use in all areas of their home and not just for use | | | | important tool for providing affordable health care. |
| when away from the home. Lift chairs are another | | | | Many would not be able to afford it otherwise and it |
| type of device that has some special requirements | | | | can make many types of home medical equipment, |
| and also limitations that the insured must meet. | | | | such as the wheelchair, much more affordable. |