Funding Information
Medicare’s Wheelchair and Scooter Benefit
If your doctor submits a written order stating that you have a medical need for a wheelchair or scooter for use in your home, Medicare will help cover any of the types listed below. Generally, Medicare will pay 80% of the Medicare-approved amount, after you have met the Part B deductible. You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. Wheelchairs (both manual and power) and scooters are also known as “mobility assistive equipment.” Medicare will help cover your wheelchair and scooter, if you meet all of the following conditions:
•You have a health condition that causes difficulty moving around in your home.
•You’re unable to do activities of daily living (like bathing, dressing, getting in orout of a bed or chair, or using the bathroom) even with the help of a cane, crutch,or walker.
•You’re able to safely operate, and get on and off the wheelchair or scooter, or have someone with you who is always available to help you safely use the device.
Also, the equipment must be usable within your home (for example, it’s not too big for your home or blocked by things in its path).
Types of Mobility Assistive Equipment:
If you can’t use a cane or walker safely, you may qualify for a manual wheelchair. The manual wheelchair you choose can’t be a high strength, ultra-lightweight wheelchair that you could buy without renting first.
Rolling Chair/Geri-chair
If you need more support than a wheelchair can give, you may qualify for a rolling chair. These chairs have small wheels that are at least 5 inches in diameter. The rolling chair must be designed to meet your medical needs due to illness or other impairment.
References
For more information, please visit your local DME dealer, doctor or the below website for more in depth information on qualifications and procedures.
Dealers
CLICK HERE FOR SAMPLE WHEELCHAIR JUSTIFICATION LETTERS
Visit www.medicare.gov/supplier or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for more information. TTY users should call1-877-486-2048. Note:If you don’t need a power wheelchair or scooter on a long-term basis, you maywant to rent the equipment to lower your costs. Talk to your supplier to find outmore about this option. Some wheelchairs must be rented first, even if you eventuallyplan to buy them.FraudMost doctors, health care providers, suppliers, and private companies who work withMedicare are honest. However, there are a few who aren’t. For example, some suppliers of medical equipment try to cheat Medicare by offering expensive powerwheelchairs and scooters to people who don’t qualify for these items. Also, some suppliers of medical equipment may call you without your permission, even though“cold calling” isn’t allowed. Medicare is trying harder than ever to find and preventfraud and abuse by working more closely with health care providers, strengtheningoversight, and reviewing claims data.
★
★
How to Spot Fraud and Abuse
You can help Medicare stop fraud and abuse by watching for the following examples
of possible Medicare fraud:
• Suppliers offer you a free wheelchair or scooter.
• Suppliers offer to waive your copayment.
• Someone bills Medicare for equipment you never got.
• Someone bills Medicare for home medical equipment after it has been returned.
What to Do if You Suspect Fraud and Abuse
If you suspect billing fraud, contact your health care provider to be sure the bill is
correct. If your doctor, health care provider, or supplier doesn’t help you with your
questions or concerns or if you can’t contact them, call 1-800-MEDICARE
(1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
For More Information
Medicare is here for you 24 hours a day, every day. To get more information, visit
www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE. For more information about
Medicare’s fraud and abuse activities, visit www.stopmedicarefraud.gov.
CMS Product No. 11046
Revised January 2011
Local, State, and Non Profit – Assistive Technology Programs
Alabama
Alabama Ability Loan Program
Southern Disability Foundation
P.O. Box 20752
Montgomery, AL 36120-0752
Phone: (334) 613-3480
TTY: (334) 613-3519
Web: www.alford@rehab.alabama.gov
Alaska
Assistive Technology Program
Alaska Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
801 West 10th Street, Suite A
Juneau, Alaska 99801
United States
800-478-2815 or 907-465-6969.
Email: sean_obrien@labor.state.ak.us.
Web: www.labor.state.ak.us/at.
Arizona
Arizona Loans for Assistive Technology Program
Northern Arizona University
Institute for Human Development
4105 North 20th Street, Suite 260
Phoenix, AZ 85016
Phone: (602) 728-9532
Phone: (800) 477-9921
TTY: (602) 728-9536
Fax: (602) 728-9535
Email: jill.sherman@nau.edu
Web: www.azlat.org
Arkansas
Arkansas Technology Alternative Financing Project
Arkansas Rehabilitation Services
4601 West Markham
Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: (501) 683-3008
Fax: (501) 666-5319
Email:jdmoreland@ars.state.ar.us
California
California Department of Developmental Services
1600 9th Street
P.O. Box 944202
Sacramento CA 94244-2020
Phone: 800-390-2699
TTY: 800-900-0706
Web:www.atnet.org
California Department of Rehabilitation
830 K Street Mall, Room LL3
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-324-3061
Low Interest Loans
Restricted to California residents only
Contact: Bessy Papalias
Colorado
Assistive Technology Program
601 E. 18th Avenue
Suite 130
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone:: 800-255-3477 (Colorado only) or 303-315-1280.
TTY: 303-837-8964
Fax: 303-837-1208
Email: cathy.bodine@uchsc.edu.
Web: www.uchsc.edu/atp.
Connecticut
CT Tech Act Project Loan Program
25 Sigourney Street 11th Floor
Hartford CT 06106
Phone: 860-424-4881
TTY: 860-424-4839
Fax: 860-424-4850
Toll Free: 800-537-2549
Web: www.cttechact.com
Connecticut Assistive Technology Loan Fund
Bureau of Rehabilitation Services
10 Griffin Rd. N.
Windsor, Ct. 06095
203-298-2042; 203-298-9590(fax)
Low interest loans
Restricted to Connecticut residents only
Contact: John Ficarro
Delaware
Delaware Loan Program
Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative
University of Delaware
1600 Rockland Road
P. O. Box 269
Wilmington, DE 19899-0269
Phone: (302) 651-6790
Phone: (800) 870-3284
TTY: (302) 651-6794
Fax: (302) 651-6793
Email: mapes@asel.udel.edu
Florida
Florida Alternative Financing Program
Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology
325 John Knox Road, Bldg 400, Suite 402
Tallahassee, FL 32303
Loan Program Director: Kristina Torrance
Phone: (850) 487-3278
Fax: (850) 487-2805
Email: faast@faast.org
Georgia
Georgia Credit
Tech-Able Inc
1114 Brett Drive, Suite 100
Conyers, GA 30094
Program Coordinator: Jackie Wilks-Weathers
Phone: (770) 922-6790
Fax: (770) 922-6769
Email: jackie@credit-able.org
Web: www.credit-able.org
Hawaii
Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Hawaii
414 Kuwili Street, Suite 104
Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
TTY: 808-532-7110
800-645-3007 (v) Toll-free Neighbor Islands
808-532-7120 (fax)
Web: www.atrc.org
Email: atrc-info@atrc.org
Idaho
Idaho Assistive Technology Project
129 West Third Street
Moscow, ID 83843
Phone: 208-885-3557
Fax: 208-885-3628
Web:www.idahoat.org
Idaho Assistive Technology Project Loan Program
129 West Third St.
Moscow, Id. 83844-4401
208-885-5591
Low interest loans
Restricted to Idaho residents only
Contact: Richard Hunter
Illinois
Assistive Technology Project
Plaza, Suite 100, Springfield IL 62701
Phone: 217-522-7985
TTY: 217-522-9966
Fax: 217-522-8067
Web: www.iltech.org
Indiana
Attain-a-Loan Program
5333 Commerce Square Drive, Suite G
Indianapolis, IN 46237
Web: www.attaininc.org
Iowa
Iowa Program for Assistive Technology
Center for Disabilities and Development
100 Hawkins Drive, Room S295
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1011
Phone: 800-331-3027 or 319-356-0550
TTY: 877-686-0032
Web: www.iowaat.org
Kansas
Kansas Assistive Technology Cooperative
625 Merchant, Suite 205
Emporia, Kansas 66801
Phone: 866 465-2826
V/TTY: 620 341-9002
V/TTY: (620) 342-6400 fax
Web:www.katco.net
Kentucky
KATS Network
Charles McDowell Center
8412 Westport Road
Louisville, KY 40242
Toll Free: (800) 327-5287
Local: (502) 429-4484
Fax: (502) 429-7114
Web: www.katsnet.org
Louisiana
Louisiana Assistive Technology Access Network
3042 Old Forge Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Phone: 225-925-9500
800-270-6185 toll free
Fax : 225-925-9560
Web: www.latan.org
info@latan.org
Maine
Maine CITE Coordinating Center
University of Maine System University College
46 University Drive
Augusta, ME 04330
Phone: 207-621-3195
TTY: 207-621-3482
Fax: 207-621-3193
E-mail: iweb@mainecite.org
Web: www.mainecite.org
Alpha One
85 E St. Suite #1
South Portland, ME 04106
207-623-1115
Low interest loans
Restricted to Maine residents only
Contact: Kim Wallace
Maine Independent Living Services
PO Box 269
Bangor, Me. 04402-0269
Full grants up to $5,000 per individual per lifetime
Restricted to Maine residents only
Contact: Gary McLaughlin
Maryland
Maryland Technology Assistance Program:
217 E. Redwood Street, Suite 1300
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Phone: 410-767-3660
TTY Voice 1-800-637-4113
Phone: 1-800-TECH TAP (1-800-832-4827) Voice
TTY/Toll Free: 1-866-881-7488
Web: www.mdtap.org
Massachusetts
Easter Seals Massachusetts
800-244-2756 ext. 428 or 431 (voice)
800-564-9700 TTY
484 Main Street
Worcester MA 01608
Phone: 800-922-8290
TTY: 800-564-9700
Fax: 508-831-9768
E-mail: MassATLoan@eastersealsma.net
Web: www.massatloan.org
Michigan
Michigan Loan Funds
c/o United Cerebral Palsy of Michigan
4970 Northwind Drive Suite 102
East Lansing Michigan 48823
Phone: 800-828-2714 or 517-203-1200
Fax: 517-203-1203
Web: www.michiganloanfunds.org
Minnesota
The Minnesota STAR program
358 Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar Street
Saint Paul, MN 55155.
Phone: 651-201-2640 or 888-234-1267
800-627-3529
Fax: 651-282-6671
Web: www.starprogram.state
Mississippi
Project Start
P.O. Box 1698
Jackson, MS 39215-1698
Phone: 601-987-4872 1-800-852-8328
Fax: 601-364-2349
Web:www.msprojectstart.org
Missouri
Missouri Assistive Technology Loans
4731 South Cochise, Suite 114
Independence, MO 64055-6975
Phone: (800) 647-8557 (in-state only) or (816) 373-5193
TTY: (800) 647-8558 (in-state only) or (816) 373-9315
Fax: (816) 373-9314
Email:matpmo@swbell.net
Web: www.at.mo.gov
Montana
Montana Assistive Technology Loans
634 Eddy, 009 CHC
Missoula MT 59812
Phone: 877-243-5511 (toll free in state only)
Web: www.montech.ruralinstitue.umt.edu
Nebraska
Nebraska Loan Program
Easter Seals Nebraska
638 North 109th Plaza
Omaha, NE 68154
AFP Director: Renee Fitzke
Phone: (402) 345-2200 X1116
Email: rfitzke@ne.easterseals.com
Nevada
Nevada Assistive Technology Loan Fund
CareChest
7910 N. Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89506
Loan Program Coordinator: Robert Walker
Phone: (775) 829-2273
Fax: (775) 829-8745
Email: loans@carechest.com
Nevada Assistive Technology Loan Program
Assistive Technology Center
2820 West Charleston Blvd., B-19
Las Vegas, Nevada 89102
702-259-0789
Full & partial grants; low interest loans
Restricted to Nevada residents only
Contacts: Reggie Bennett (grants) Susan Lucia-Terry (loans)
New Hampshire
NH-ATEC
67 Communications Drive
Laconia NH 03246
Phone: 800-932-5837 or 603-528-3060
Fax: 603-524-0702
Contact: LorraineH@atechservices.org
Web: www.nhassistivetechnonly.org
New Hampshire Guaranteed Collateral Loan Fund
Institute on Disability
#14, Ten Ferry St.
The Concord Center
Concord, NH 03301
603-224-0630
603-228-3270(fax)
Low interest loans;
Restricted to New Hampshire residents only
Contact: Marion Pawlek
New Jersey
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ADVOCACY CENTER
New Jersey Protection and Advocacy, Inc.
210 South Broad Street, 3rd Floor
Trenton, NJ 08608
Phone: (609) 292-9742: (800) 922-7233 (In-State)
TTY: (609) 633-7106
Fax: (609) 777-0187
E-mail: rringh@njpanda.org
Web: www.njpanda.org
New Mexico
New Mexico Loan Program
San Juan Center for Independence
3535 E. 30th , Suite 101
Farmington, NM 87402
Phone: (505) 566-5831
Fax: (505) 566-5842
Email: lmccabe@sjci.org
New Mexico Telework Loan Program
New Mexico Technology Assistance Program
435 St. Michael’s Drive, Building D
Santa Fe, NM 87505
Project Director: Andy Winnegar
Phone: (800) 866-2253
Phone: (505) 954-8521
TTY: (800) 659-4915
Fax: (505) 954-8608
Email: Awinnegar@state.nm.us
New York
Equipment Loan Fund for the Disabled
Office of Financial Management – 13D
NYS Department of Social Services
40 N. Pearl St.
Albany, NY 12243
518-474-0197
Low interest loans
Restricted to New York State residents only
Contact: Ms. Eleanor Shutter, Loan Administrator
North Carolina
North Carolina Adaptive Equipment Loan Program
1012 S Kings Dr.
Suite G2
Charlotte, NC 28283
704-375-3977
Partial grants & low interest loans
Restricted to North Carolina residents only
Contact: Larry Bauer
North Dakota
North Dakota AT Loan Program
North Dakota Association for the Disabled
1913 South Washington
Grand Forks, ND 58201
Loan Coordinator: Traci Ladouceur
PHONE (701) 795-6609
TTY: (800) 265-4728
Fax: (701) 239-7229
Email: tladouceur@ndad.org
Ohio
Assistive Technology of Ohio
445 E. Dublin-Granville Road
Building L
Worthington, OH 43085
Phone: 800-784-3425 / 614-293-9134 (voice) 614-293-0767 (TTY)
E-mail: atohio
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Alternative Financing Program (AFP, Telework)
Oklahoma ABLE Tech
1514 West Hall of Fame
Stillwater, OK 74078-2026
Loan Program Coordinator: Milissa Gofourth
Phone: (405) 744-9864
TTY: (800) 257-1705
Fax: (405) 744-2487
Email: gmiliss@okstate.edu
Oregon
Access Technologies, Inc.
Administrative Offices and Computer Lab
3070 Lancaster Drive NE
Salem, OR 97305
Toll-free voice/TTY: 1-800-677-7512
Voice/TTY: (503) 361-1201
Fax: (503) 370-4530
info@accesstechnologiesinc.org
Portland State University
Assistive Technology Computer Lab
Branford Price Millar Library
951 SW HALL
Portland, OR 97201-1151
Voice/TTY: (503) 725-8395
Fax: (503) 725-6397
info@accesstechnologiesinc.org
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation
1004 West Ninth Avenue, First Floor
King of Prussia, PA 19406
Executive Director: Susan Tachau
Phone: (888) 744-1938 (National)
Phone: (484) 674-0506
TTY: (877) 693-7271 (National)
Fax: (484) 674-0510
Email: stachau@patf.us
Web: www.patf.us
Rhode Island
TechACCESS of RI
110 Jefferson Boulevard, Suite I
Warwick, RI 02888-3854
Phone: 401-463-0202 (v/tdd)
Fax: 401-463-3433
In-State: 800-916-(TECH)8324
E-Mail: techaccess@techaccess-ri.org
South Carolina
South Carolina Assistive Technology Loan Program
Vocational Rehabilitation Department
1410 Boston Avenue
West Columbia, SC 29171
Project Coordinator: Denise Koon
Phone: (803) 896-6374
Fax: (803) 896-6510
Email: dkoon@scvrd.state.sc.us
South Dakota
Main Demonstration and Service Center
1161 Deadwood Ave. Suite #5
Rapid City, SD 57702
Call 1-800-645-0673 (V/TDD), or 605-394-6742 (V/TDD)
Or By Email – info@dakotalink.net
Tennessee
Commissioner’s Office
400 Deaderick Street, 15th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243-1403
Phone: (615) 313-4700
Fax: (615) 741-4165
E-mail DHS
Web www.tennessee.gov/humanserv
Texas
RampWEB, Inc.
1717 West 6th Street
Suite 270
Austin, TX 78703
Phone: (512) 350-2476
Contact Juan Antonio Lizama at (804) 649-6513
Email: jlizama@timesdispatch.com
Utah
Alternative Financing Program
Utah Assistive Technology Foundation
Center for Persons with Disabilities
6835 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322
Executive Director: Marilyn Hammond
Phone: (800) 524-5152 (National)
Phone: (435) 797-2025
TTY: (435) 797-7089
Fax: (435) 797-2355
Email: uatf@cpd2.usu.edu
Web: www.uatf.org
>
Utah Assistive Technology Foundation
3064 E. 3835 South
Salt Lake City, Ut. 84109-3608
801-278-7653
Low interest loans
Restricted to Utah residents only
Contact: Dr. Daryl J. McCarty
Vermont
103 South Main Street
Weeks Building
Waterbury, VT 05671-2305
Phone: 800-750-6355, 802-241-2620
TTY: 802-241-1464
Fax: 802-241-2174
Web: www.dail.state.vt.us/atp/contact.htm
Funding Opportunities:
18 Pearl Street, Burlington, VT 05401-4330
800-865-8328 / 802-865-3404
Independence Fund
Opportunities Venture
18 Pearl Street
Burlington, VT 05401
Project Manager: Eldon Carvey
Phone: (802) 865-3404 Ext. 128
Fax: (802) 860-8971
Email: Ecarvey@oppsvt.org
The Vermont Development Credit Union
95 North Avenue
Suite A
Burlington, Vt. 05401
802-865-3404
Low interest loans
Restricted to Vermont residents only
Contact: Susan Fortune
Virginia
Assistive Technology Loan Fund
1602 Rolling Hills Drive, Suite 107
Richmond, VA 23229
Director: Joey Wallace
Phone: (866) 835-5976 (Toll Free)
Phone: (804) 662-9000
Fax: (804) 662-9533
Email: Joey.Wallace@atlfa.org
Web: www.atlfa.org
Washington
Washington Access Fund
100 S. King St., Suite 280
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: 877-428-5116
Web: www.washingtonaccessfund.org
Email: info@washingtonaccessfund.org
Wisconsin
WisLoan
WiTelework
Independence First
600 W. Virginia St., Suite 401
Milwaukee, WI 53204-1516
WisLoan Coordinator: Patti Kraemer
WiTelework Coordinator: Kathy Meisner-Altman
Phone: (414) 226-8306
TTY: (414) 291-7520
Fax: (414) 291-7525
Email: pkraemer@independencefirst.org
Email: kmeisner-altman@independencefirst
Web: www.dhfs.wisconsin.gov/disabilities/wistech/wisloan.htm
Web: www.independencefirst.org/services/other/telework.asp
Wyoming
Wyoming Technology Access Program
Wyoming Independent Living Rehabilitation, Inc.
305 West First Street
Casper, WY 82601
Executive Director: Kenneth Hoff
Project Coordinator: Kris Smith
Phone: (800) 735-8322
Phone: (307) 226-6956
Email: khof@trib.com
Email: krissmith@vcn.com
NATIONAL PROGRAMS:
IBM National Support Center for Persons with Disabilities
P.O. Box 2150
Boca Raton, FL
1-800-426-4832
Discounts on selected computers
Contact: Mr. Paul S. Luther
Lions International
300 22nd Street
Oakbrook, IL 60570
708-571-5466
For Lions Club projects only
Call for local Lions Club number
Contact: Mr. Roy Schaetzel