I just read a supplement to New Mobility magazine (30 seconds to load) about wheelchair funding. The article talks about the area of “complex rehab”. Complex rehab is about the correct fitting of wheelchairs and other assistive devices to individuals with MS, Muscular Dystrophy, spinal injuries and other such diseases. This is an aspect of disability that few people, most especially politicians, simply don’t understand. A correct fit is the difference between working productively in society and being hospitalized for an extended period due to a pressure sore.
Physicians and many other health care professionals aren’t trained or well versed when it comes to complex rehab. People with disabilities need to rely on the providers, all of whom are being squeezed by decreases in Medicare reimbursements for durable medical equipment (DME). Health insurance companies generally follow suit with Medicare.
In my case, I coordinated my own care. I use a high end complex rehab wheelchair. After years of using a low-end wheelchair with non-adaptive positioning, I desperately needed correct positioning. The low end wheelchair caused a foot deformity, so now I need to use a brace. In moving to the high end, I was fortunate to have found a provider who employed a complex rehab specialist. He assisted me in engineering the seating exactly to my needs, and he helped me with other aspects of my equipment needs as well. I also use an overhead rail-type portable lift system for bed, toilet and bathing transfers.
Funding? Since I am already working, the PA Office of Vocational Rehab helped a great deal with funding. OVR does not cover high-end wheelchairs, but since I had DME funding through employer-provided insurance, OVR helped with the remaining funding. OVR has stopped covering home modifications, but we were able to get funding for the lift system since it is considered “transportation”. Moreover, I had to jump through hoops for 2 years to make this happen and keep me working. It was frustrating!!
This supplement tells the real story. This isn’t a financial issue since DME accounts for only about 1.7% of Medicare. This is an issue of understanding and education. We need to educate our federal legislators about this important issue!
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