Definitely OT: Medicare and a Chair

I need help from folks I trust. I have had three back surgeries since December.... and I see more in the future. It is difficult to get out of my recliner at home and the doctor wrote a prescription for a motor-powered recliner. Medicare will only pay for the motor part of the recliner, but not the recliner. This is coming from a DME, so my trust level is zero. Is this correct?

Thanks, in adanced.... Sheriff

How much is the DME saying the chair costs and what your portion of the cost might be?

https://www.medicare.org/articles/will- ... ift-chair/

Looks like it is true that Medicare only covers the motor part. It's covered under part B of Medicare's coverage.
So pays 80% and your supplement should pay the 20% but this is for motor only.
The chair part is separate and not a covered expense.
Depending on what the DME is charging and what is your portion it might be cheaper to just buy one yourself.

The wife called them, and I think they told her I pay $1400, and Medicare pay $300.

Sheriff

You can get a really, really nice lift chair for less than a grand if you go shopping yourself.

We bought my mom one and I think it was around $700. At the time we didn't have time for establishing medical need and going through a DME since she needed it immediately and we didn't realize it until a Friday evening and only one store near us had any.

I suggest that you go check out whatever it is the DME has and then go shopping and see what your money can buy.

If you have no objection to used and perhaps not color choice, take a look at your local Craigslist or Facebook MarketPlace. We had gotten one for the wife's mother from CL, it looked new and worked perfectly, and was miles below what one goes for retail.

I'm wondering if something like this chair assist will help?

Carex Upeasy Seat Assist Plus - Chair Lift And Sofa Stand Assist - Portable Lifting Seat

https://www.amazon.com/Carex-Upeasy-Sea ... B0009MFUVS

You can definitely find lift chairs much cheaper than that. I just looked at the Ameriglide (Dallas) web site and they have lift chairs starting at under $500. This is their web site: https://www.ameriglide-dallas-tx.com/Am ... Chairs.htm

I purchased one when I had back surgery, but I don't remember where I got it. I do remember I paid a little extra to have it delivered to the house and set up. The set up is relatively easy, but they are very heavy. If you have had back surgery, you really need to purchase one all ready set up. I no longer have the chair. I gave it to my brother-in-law to use before he died from prostrate cancer.

If I ran a regular furniture store, I would definitely consider selling them;
just to get folks our age into the store.
Why market only to newlyweds?
Antiques can wear out--like us.

I seriously doubt that any DME will have any recliners in stock on their floor. Prob catalog order.

I HAVE seen lift chairs at some DME's.
Those places were stuffed to the gills with everything they could fit in the door--
Scooters, walkers, wheelchairs, you name it.
No visible price tags, if you get my drift.
For sure, some are sold by direct marketing--walk in, lie your ear off,
and refuse to leave without a contract.
Rule of thumb--NEVER let a salesman into your home--
no matter WHAT they call themselves.

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Wed May 04, 2022 11:44 am

If I ran a regular furniture store, I would definitely consider selling them;
just to get folks our age into the store.
Why market only to newlyweds?
Antiques can wear out--like us.

There is a local furniture store that sells them. I liked the chair but the salesperson was kind of rude about buying an "old people's chair" (I'm not that young!). I wanted a good recliner as a knitting chair.

Not much you can't get at Amazon....
Some with Prime, free, or cheap shipping and have reviews to give an idea of quality/value.

(may need assembly on some)

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=lift+chair&c ... _sb_noss_1

I contacted several DME's and got basically the same response. I'm thinking there is not much profit to be made and low demand to mess with lift chairs. I broke down and bought one and bypassed medicare. You guys are a bunch of wonderful people. I hope I have lived up to your standard of generosity.

Sheriff

Sheriff Buford wrote: ↑

Wed May 04, 2022 6:13 am

I need help from folks I trust. I have had three back surgeries since December.... and I see more in the future. It is difficult to get out of my recliner at home and the doctor wrote a prescription for a motor-powered recliner. Medicare will only pay for the motor part of the recliner, but not the recliner. This is coming from a DME, so my trust level is zero. Is this correct?

Thanks, in adanced.... Sheriff

Hi Sheriff.

I just did a search and found some recliners in the category you may be looking for. Check them out. Not too expensive

https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?hsp ... sabilities

Check out this link, too.

https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_yl ... s-mnet-001


Den

.

Sheriff Buford wrote: ↑

Fri May 06, 2022 7:27 am

. . .
I broke down and bought one and bypassed medicare.
. . .

Medicare involvement is the choice of the DEALER,
and is not always available when prices are already reasonable.
---Something too many of us have observed.