Study Reveals Challenges In Accessing Wheelchairs Through Medicare-listed Suppliers

Published coming in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, a University of Minnesota Medical School investigation squad recovered that entree to wheelchairs done Medicare-listed suppliers is inconsistent and often challenging.

Using a secret-shopper attack wherever researchers posed arsenic patients seeking care, nan investigation squad evaluated security acceptance, administrative requirements, transportation timelines and costs successful 2 municipality zip codes. Only one-half of suppliers pinch wheelchairs successful proviso accepted Medicare, and galore imposed further archiving requirements. Among these suppliers, astir half reported it would return respective weeks earlier wheelchair support and delivery. 

For those paying cash, nan median wheelchair costs was $300. Most suppliers accepting Medicare did not mention Medicare's rent-to-own programme for wheelchairs.

Patients attempting to entree a wheelchair done suppliers listed successful nan Medicare directory look administrative and logistical challenges, highlighting nan request for urgent argumentation shape to assistance susceptible older adults successful accessing captious aesculapian equipment. Greater oversight of supplier practices, clearer standards and improved directory accuracy are needed to trim administrative and financial barriers for beneficiaries."

Arjun Gupta, MBBS, adjunct professor, University of Minnesota Medical School

Further studies are suggested to grow to agrarian and divers geographic settings, measure nan accuracy of Medicare's supplier directory and measure nan real-world effect of entree barriers connected patients and caregivers.

"Patients pinch mobility issues are often forced to navigate a maze of telephone calls, security rejections and paperwork conscionable to get a basal wheelchair. These delays and barriers time off galore pinch nary prime but to salary out-of-pocket done online marketplaces aliases different sources- this is an unacceptable load connected those already facing wellness problems," said Dr. Gupta, who is besides an oncologist pinch M Health Fairview.

This investigation was funded by nan Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.