Are Patient Lifts and Vehicle Lifts Tax Deductible?

Can you deduct the cost of your patient lift or vehicle lift from your U.S. taxes? The answer is “it depends.” The IRS allows for deducting certain medical expenses from your income tax but those deductions come with certain conditions. If you, a spouse or a dependent has purchased a vehicle lift or patient lift device, you might be able to reduce the income tax you owe by deducting the cost of the device.

It’s important to remember that this article is not intended to be professional tax advice and we encourage you to either contact the IRS or your tax professional to confirm what you may or may not be eligible for.

Durable Medical Equipment (DME)

The IRS defines DME as “certain medical equipment that is ordered by a doctor for use in the home to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental defect or illness.” So the first thing you are going to need is a letter from a physician stating the medical necessity for the lift. Once you have that in hand there are a few other qualifiers to consider:

• You can only deduct the cost of durable medical equipment that you purchased in the tax reporting year. This might become important if you are considering purchasing a patient lift or auto lift near the end of a calendar year.
• You can only deduct that amount that you actually paid. If the device was purchased by someone else or by an insurance company, you won’t be able to deduct the cost. However, if you paid a “deductible” or “co-pay” as a part of an insurance claim for the device, that amount is eligible for deduction.
• Aside from lifts, other examples of DME items include crutches, service animals such as a guide dog, diagnostic services, hearing aids, telephones for the hearing impaired and wigs.

For a complete list of what is and is not deductible, including health related home improvements like stair lifts and alterations to accommodate a wheelchair, visit the IRS site.

One last consideration and it’s a big one.

In order to deduct your medical expenses (lifts, medication, treatments, hospitalization etc.) you have to itemize your deductions. If you own a home you probably already do that as interest on mortgages and property taxes are large “itemized deductions.”

However if you don’t routinely itemize, you have to determine if your medical expenses are greater than your “standard deduction” to determine how you will file. There is also another limitation on how much you can deduct. The IRS will allow you to deduct only that amount that exceeds 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income. So if you have an AGI of $50,000 you’ll only be allowed to deduct medical expenses in excess of $3750.

We hope this has helped you with this issue. At Body Up Patient Lift we know how important mobility is to the quality of life. We know you want to provide your loved one with the best care possible. We know how important mobility is to a sense of self value and self-confidence. If you have any questions regarding our products, how they are used or pricing please do not hesitate to contact us today!

5 Tips for Driving Elderly Patients Safely

If you are responsible for a senior and they are no longer able to drive, you may want to consider a caregiver to serve as chauffer, and mobility equipment like a vehicle lift or body lift that will enable the senior to travel by car. Think about what that means to a senior. If they can't get to a doctor then the option is having a doctor come to him or her and that means a nursing home.

Having a reliable and safe way to get to appointments, visit family and friends, even grocery shopping provides the senior with a sense of self value and self-worth.  

But if you are going to hire a caregiver to drive there are prudent precautions you should take in their selection. Uber and Lyft are not options. You need you find a qualified and responsible caregiver to transport your senior.

Body Up Evolution, a leader in body lift equipment has five useful tips when considering a driver for your loved one.

5 Tips for Driving Elderly Patients Safely

Picking the right driver is key to a successful, worry free transportation plan. Here are a few of the things you should consider:

1. In a face to face interview you will want to ask the caretaker candidate what their experience is driving seniors. How many years? What were their best and worst experiences?
2. Ask for their driver's license and take a picture of it. Check with your local DMV to get the driving record of the candidate. Remember your DMV will only be able to provide your state's records. If the caregiver has only been in the state a short time, check the DMV from the previous residence.
3. Ask situational questions that apply to your senior's situation. This gives the caregiver an idea of what the job will entail. It also gives you an idea of how the caregiver reacts to situations that are likely to occur with your senior. What would you do if; the senior refuses to leave for an appointment, gets angry with the caregiver in the car, refuses to buckle up, has a bathroom emergency? These types of questions can be invaluable for both you and the caregiver.
4. Set up written rules regarding transportation. Layout types of establishments like bars, race tracks etc. that are on a no-go list. Will night driving be permitted? Forbid the use of mobile devices while driving. Who to contact if there is a roadside emergency. How will fuel and other expenses be handled? The more complete the list the more defined the job becomes and the less room for misunderstandings.
5. If your senior is not mobile and needs to be transferred from a wheel chair to a car seat and seat to wheel chair, consider getting a vehicle body lift device. These systems require no modification to the vehicle. They are lightweight, easy to use, require no heavy lifting and fold to easily fit in the trunk.

If your senior has mobility issues there are solutions that don't involve heavy, bulky equipment and strenuous lifting by the caregiver. We invite you watch our video and then call us today with your questions. We can make your senior's life simpler.

The blog was originally posted here: http://www.bodyuppatientlift.com/2017/04/24/5-tips-for-driving-elderly-patients-safely/

Are patient lifts covered by Medicare? Here’s what you need to know?

How often is it covered?

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers patient lifts as durable medical equipment (DME) that your doctor prescribes for use in your home.

Who's eligible?

All people with Part B are covered.

Your costs in Original Medicare

If your supplier accepts assignment, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, and the Part B deductible applies. Medicare pays for different kinds of DME in different ways. Depending on the type of equipment:

•           You may need to rent the equipment.

•           You may need to buy the equipment.

•           You may be able to choose whether to rent or buy the equipment.

Medicare will only cover your DME if your doctors and DME suppliers are enrolled in Medicare. Doctors and suppliers have to meet strict standards to enroll and stay enrolled in Medicare. If your doctors or suppliers aren’t enrolled, Medicare won’t pay the claims submitted by them. 

It’s also important to ask your suppliers if they participate in Medicare before you get DME. If suppliers are participating suppliers, they must accept assignment. If suppliers are enrolled in Medicare but aren’t “participating,” they may choose not to accept assignment. If suppliers don't accept assignment, there’s no limit on the amount they can charge you.

Competitive Bidding Program

If you live in or visit certain areas, you may be affected by Medicare's Competitive Bidding Program. In most cases, Medicare will only help pay for these equipment and supplies if they're provided by contract suppliers when both of these apply:

•           You have Original Medicare.

•           You get competitively bid equipment and supplies in competitive bidding areas.

Contract suppliers can't charge you more than the 20% coinsurance and any unmet yearly deductible for any equipment or supplies included in the Competitive Bidding Program.

Note

To find out how much your specific test, item, or service will cost, talk to your doctor or other health care provider. The specific amount you’ll owe may depend on several things, like:

•           Other insurance you may have

•           How much your doctor charges

•           Whether your doctor accepts assignment

•           The type of facility

•           The location where you get your test, item, or service

This information originally appeared here:

https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/patient-lifts.html

FDA on Patient Lift Safety and How to Avoid Serious Injury

FDA Guidelines on Patient Lift Safety for Caregivers and How to Avoid Serious Injury

A patient lift can be a lifesaver but it can also represent a major safety challenge for both the caregiver and the patient. Patient falls from lifts can cause injuries including fractures, head trauma or even death. A caregiver who is unfamiliar with how to safely use the lift can cause serious injury to both themselves and the patient.

The FDA has provided some safety guidelines for the proper use of patient lifts.

1.    DO NOT push, pull or lift weight while:

·      Off-balance or leaning forward

·      Twisting and/or reaching

·      Entrapped in a confined space

2.    Work as closely to the patient as possible to avoid stress or leaning

3.    Be sure you understand how to operate the specific sling or lift you are using and use the proper attachments and accessories

4.    Do not use a lift for transport unless it is specifically designed for transport in a car or van

5.    Never leave a patient unattended in a lift and do not keep them in the lift for more than a few minutes at a time

6.    Do not hold or support a patients weight while they are in a lift it could cause the lift to detach

7.    Never operate a lift alone if it requires more than one person to operate.

8.    Disinfect after use and keep the lift clean

9.    If the lift or sling has rips, tears or shows any sign of damage do not use

10. Receive training and practice before operating a lift

With the proper understanding of how to use it safely a patient lift can be a wonderful device for both the caregiver and the patient. If you have questions on patient lift safety give us a call now at 954-658-6502 and we will be happy to assist you.

This blog post originally appeared here: http://www.bodyuppatientlift.com/2017/01/12/fda-on-patient-lift-safety-and-how-to-avoid-serious-injury/