Pacific Mobility Center

Stairlifts - Lifts - Mobility Products

Product Information

Questions and Answers About Medicare Coverage of a Powerchair or Scooter

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Many people are confused about whether their Medicare benefit will cover their powerchair or scooter, how they can qualify for such coverage, and what that coverage will be. In this article, we will attempt to answer some of the frequently asked questions regarding this issue with clear, no-nonsense answers. Hopefully, by the end we will have addressed any concerns or questions you personally may have, but if we haven’t, please feel free to contact us at (760) 471-8884 and we will be happy to assist you! At Pacific Mobility Solutions, we are a family owned and local business and we value our customers’ satisfaction. In fact, we guarantee it!

What are the Requirements for Medicare Coverage?

In Medicare terminology, a scooter, powerchair, or manual wheelchair is referred to as “Mobility Assistive Equipment”. There are several different categories: Manual Chair, Rolling Chair, Power Scooter, and Power Wheelchair. Each category has different requirements, but before we get into that, let’s first address the common requirements for all categories.

To qualify for any of the categories, you must meet all the following conditions:

First, you must have a medical/health condition that prevents you from moving without difficulty inside your home. Second, you must be unable to perform normal living activities such as dressing, bathing, getting in or out of chairs or other furniture, even with the aid of a crutch, cane, or walker. Third, you must either be able to safely operate the equipment yourself or have someone who is always available to assist you in the usage of the equipment. The equipment must also fit and be able to be operated safely inside your home, but at Pacific Mobility Solutions we offer a broad array of options and accessibility accessories such as ramps and stairlifts, so we can help with this issue. Finally, it’s important to note that unfortunately you will only qualify for the benefit if the equipment is needed inside your home, and not purely for outside-the-home movement or recreational purposes. Now let’s discuss the individual category requirements and definitions.

Manual Wheelchairs are regular, non-powered wheel chairs with large rear wheels and smaller front wheels. You may qualify for a manual wheelchair if you can’t use a cane or walker safely. Not all manual wheelchairs qualify for this benefit. Please contact us at (760) 471-8884 for assistance choosing one that is covered. We will be happy to help!

Rolling Chairs are non-powered chairs that offer more support and comfort. Their rear wheels are smaller but at least 5” in diameter. You may qualify for one of these if you medically require more support than is provided by a manual wheelchair. The chair must be designed to meet your particular medical need or condition.

Power Scooters are three- or four-wheeled powered vehicles with a chair that generally are controlled with handlebars much like a bicycle. You may qualify for a power scooter if you cannot use a cane, walker, or crutches safely and are unable to operate a manual wheelchair.

Power Wheelchairs, or Powerchairs are generally chairs mounted on four or six wheels that are controlled by a joystick and have the ability to turn in small or zero radius. You may qualify for a powerchair if you cannot sit up or operate the scooter controls safely, or if you cannot safely use a manual wheelchair in your home.

For all categories, you must have your doctor verify your medical need for the equipment. In the case of power equipment, your doctor must examine you in person and verify that you have the ability to operate the equipment safely. Your doctor must then submit an order to Medicare verifying and explaining your need for the equipment and your ability to use it safely.

Once this has been determined, the next question you may have is how much of the cost of the equipment Medicare will cover.

What Share of the Cost Will Medicare Cover?

This is a very common question and concern shared by many people. Mobility Assisitive Equipment is covered under Medicare Part B. Generally, once you have met your Part B deductible, Medicare will cover 80% of the Medicare-approved cost, leaving 20% for you to cover. If you have private insurance, it may cover part or all of the 20%, meaning you may be able to get the equipment for little or no cost. You should contact your insurance provider for more information regarding their coverage. It is important to note that at Pacific Mobility Solutions we offer the widest selection and lowest prices, guaranteed. We can work with many budgets and needs are always willing to help you. Also, Pacific Mobility Solutions is a Medicare-participating supplier, which means we are approved by Medicare to supply your mobility needs. Now you are ready to pick out your equipment.

How Do I Know What Chair is Right for Me?

At Pacific Mobility Solutions, we offer a broad range of equipment from manual chairs all the way up to top of the line, state of the art powerchairs. We know knowing which category of equipment you qualify for and which model is right for you can be confusing. That’s why we are here to help. We offer many floor models for testing with free test rides, and our friendly, knowledgeable, and factory-trained staff are always available to assist you in carefully choosing the right chair for you. We will help work with your doctor and Medicare to determine what type of equipment you qualify for, and which model will best suit your needs and budget. Please contact us at (760) 471-8884 with any questions you may have, to schedule an appointment, or just drop on by. At Pacific Mobility Solutions, we are your locally and family owned and operated , Medicare approved source for all your mobility needs. Please come see us to experience what a difference personalized service, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and that family touch can make for your sales and service experience.

Still on the fence? We also rent a variety of equipment including manual chairs, power chairs, and travel scooters. You may be able to rent the equipment first before you buy to try it out for a longer period.

Hopefully this has answered your questions and addressed any concerns you may have. If not, for more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call us at (760) 471-8884. At Pacific Mobility Solutions, we put our customers first and guarantee satisfaction 100%. Call or come in today reclaim your mobility!

This information is being provided for informative use only and should not be considered medical or legal advice. For medical or legal questions, please contact your doctor or attorney. For more info about Medicare’s benfits and requirements, please refer to www.medicare.gov and specifically http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11046.pdf

Reclaim Your Freedom With Monarch Auto Hand Controls!

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Are you one of the thousands of people who thought your limited mobility meant giving up your ability to drive? It can be incredibly frustrating to feel like you have to depend on others to drive you around. No one wants to feel like a burden. In San Diego, as in many parts of the country, having a car and the ability to drive it is so important to one’s ability to do things like run errands and pursue recreation. At Pacific Mobility Center, we are dedicated to helping those with limited mobility regain their freedom. That’s why we are a Certified Installer of Monarch Auto Hand Controls and Driving Aids.

What are Auto Hand Controls and Driving Aids?

Auto Hand Controls and Driving Aids are devices (usually mechanical) that connect to the existing gas and brake pedals in your car and allow you to control them with your hands or with the opposite sides of your body. Generally, mechanical linkages are secured to the actual pedals and extend up or over allowing the user to control the vehicle. The devices vary in function and in the way the user interacts with the controls. The most common devices, hand controls, link a handle to the pedals and allow the user to control the pedals by pushing it in different directions. The exact motions used to control the vehicle vary by model and different users will find different motions more comfortable.
Pacific Mobility Center has a working display in our showroom to allow users to find which model best suits them. Two of our most popular models are:

The Monarch Mark 1-A Smooth Operator uses the most popular method of operation. This method is reported to cause the least amount of fatigue. The brakes are applied by a forward movement away from the driver, while the accelerator is applied by pushing down towards the driver’s lap and at a right angle to the brake.

 

 

The Monarch Push Rock Sure Operator is the newest model of hand control from Monarch. It uses a different, simpler method of control than the Smooth Operator. The user accelerates by pulling the handle the backward and brakes by pushing it forward. This style is often recommended by driving instructors.

We also offer several other models of auto hand controls as well as an array of adapters for left-hand or right-hand use of certain controls. We also offer parking brake extenders, rotating seats, and steering wheel spinner knobs. You can view our complete line of Auto Hand Controls and Drivings Aids here. Please contact us so we can evaluate your needs and have you come in to our showroom where we have functional displays.

A Word About Safety

Driving using auto hand controls or driving aids takes getting used to and training. We do not offer training or testing in the use of this equipment. We strongly recommend you contact a Driving Rehab Instructor prior to the use of this equipment. Failure to do so could be extremely dangerous and may violate the law. We are more than happy to provide a referral to qualified instructors in the San Diego area.

Hotel Pools – Are They Accessible to the Handicapped or Disabled?

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If you’ve ever been out travelling to a nice hotel or resort, it can be very refreshing to take a fresh dip in the pool during the hot days, but can be a challenge if you’re in a wheelchair. These days, only some hotels are equipped with portable pool lifts to help disabled guests into and out of the pools. Even the hotels who are equipped with pool lifts has staff members that are not fully trained to operate the devices, which causes even more problems. The department of justice has simply stated that this is unacceptable.

Come March 15, all hotels with pools and spas will be required by law to install fixed pool lifts that must be in place and operational, as long as the pool facility is open to hotel guests. The hotel industry is up in arms right now, scrambling to extend the deadline due to financial restraint and vague guidelines. Pool lifts can cost into the thousands of dollars, not including installation costs, which would required alterations to the pool structure itself to accommodate a bolted-in pool lift.

The requirement is among a set of new regulations approved in 2010 under the Americans with Disabilities Act that affect most public places, such as banks, stores, movie theaters, state and local government entities, public swimming pools and hotels. Within the hospitality industry, the recent pool lift regulation has attracted the most attention.

How to Choose the Right Stairlift in San Diego

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For people who have difficulty climbing the stairs in their home, stairlifts provide a great alternative to the whole ordeal. Today, many stairlift providers are equipped with products to fit any home and staircase style and configuration. This can be quite confusing, especially if you have no prior knowledge of the ins and outs of stairlifts. It can often be tough defining which product, from the many available, will best meet the needs of your relative now and in the future.

We’d like to provide a brief overview of stairlifts which should provide you with an insight into the areas you need to investigate, questions you need to ask and things you need to think about, to choose the right stairlift.

The stairlift market here in the US is actually pretty crowded crowded. There are over 10 major stairlift manufacturers all producing products aimed at a market that’s growing year by year. As the population of our country ages, the demand for stairlifts and other mobility products has increased significantly.

Our customers often tell us that the best way to purchase a stairlift is talk to your friends and relatives. Do they know anyone who’s had a lift installed? If so, speak to them. Ask them about their experiences, the benefits and the drawbacks, if any. This can often help you decide which direction to go, and where to start investigating further.

Once you get your bearings, you should then begin to get in touch with all the reputable companies that you can and start to compare their products and prices, keeping in mind that reliability and safety are the most vital elements. The internet is a great place to start looking, as it’s probably how you found us! All the major manufacturers will have websites for you to view product lists and specifications.

During the process of choosing a stairlift, don’t be afraid to ask the questions you want or need answered. It can be a hectic and confusing time, so you definitely want to make sure you cover all of your bases. After all, it’s our job to know everything about the products, be they curved, straight or outdoor. Talk about your relative’s staircase, about their particular mobility problems and about the budget you are working around. We are confident we can find a solution that will be satisfied well into the future.

Also, before purchasing any sort of stairlift, you want to make sure it comes with a warantee, and what the terms of the agreement are. Try to get hold of as much information as possible on the manufacturer and its products. How long have they been in business? Do they have full insurance? Try to read testimonials from genuine customers. This will help you come to a much more informed decision.

Ask your sales reps about after-sales. Once the lift is in place, how long is the warranty? Is it extendable and for how long? How much will this cost and what will they include? Ask them about the small print, some manufacturers will put a lifetime guarantee on their products. This sounds great, until you realise it’s just for certain components.

Then there’s service and support. If the lift breaks down, how quickly will the company get to you? Will it be their own stairlift engineers who visit or will the service be contracted out, so that you might have to wait a couple of days for the problem to be solved?

The Internet is a great tool to help you find out all you can about stairlift manufacturers. Look in the regular media for stories about them and check online forums, is anyone making negative comments? Stay clear of cold callers and take each lift for a test ride in the showrooms before you part with any money.

Buying the right stairlift means taking into account the needs of the user and deciding on the features that will be most important for them, not just today, but in a few years down the line.

If their needs are likely to change in the future, take this into account when deciding on the key features you are looking for.

BHM Medical Ceiling Lifts in San Diego!

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If you’re looking to outfit your home with a new mobility lift, check out the model from BHM. BHM Medical Ceiling lifts are the ideal solution to assist in lifting and transferring a patient with mobility challenges and where space is limited. By utilizing your ceiling space, the lift can be easily installed, and be out of the way. Some of the benefits of a new BHM ceiling lift are that it’s very safe and easy to use and requires less space than traditional floor lifts. These factors make the BHM lift much less obtrusive for patients. In addition, the BHM lift is always ready to use! You’ll never need to mess with setting the unit up or pulling it out of storage to get it ready for use.

BHM Medical fixed ceiling lifts are actually permanently installed on the rail or system of rails. They also have an optional return to charge, lateral adjustable speed and height of carry bar features.

BHM Medical portable lifts can be transferred when needed from one rail or system of rails to another. They are perfect for a temporary and portable installation.

If you’re interested in receiving more information on the BHM ceiling lifts we carry, please visit Pacific Mobility’s local showroom in San Marcos, or give us a call at (760) 471-8884

History of Stairlifts

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Stairlifts, believe it or not, have a long history. The modern stairlift, which we are most used to seeing today, was developed by a Pennsylvanian engineer named C.C. Crispen. The idea was first formed when Crispen’s good friend was immobilized, and could no longer use stairs under his own power. This promted Crispen to build the first prototype of a Stairlift which he names, the Inclin-ator. It wasn’t long after that the stairlift started showing up in homes across to the country, making peoples lives that much easier.

stairlifts san diego
stairlift san diego

However, we can’t necessarily give Crispen all of the credit, as the idea of stairlifts actually date back the middle ages! In 2009, evidence was found that suggested that King Henry VIII had a rudimentary stairlift system installed on his palace which was operated by servants using a block and tackle or pulley system. This new evidence would make the idea of a stairlift hundreds of years old!

Nowadays the stairlift is installed in homes across the globe, and manufactured by several different companies. Pacific Mobility specializes in Stairlifts in San Diego, as well as a multitude of additional moblity products such as wheelchairs, walking canes, ceiling lifts, porch lifts, and power scooters.