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

Patient Lift What Caregivers Should Look For

What Caregivers Should Look for When Choosing a Patient Lift

For a home caregiver, patient lift can represent a major challenge for both the caregiver and the patient. Of primary concern for any lift device is the safety of the patient and caregiver. Back strain is a common "occupational hazard" for caregivers when using inappropriate patient lift systems and patients can experience pain, a loss of dignity to outright falls.

A quick review of lifts available will reveal that there are patient lifts and transfer devices for almost any conceivable situation. Some are designed for hospital use and other in-patient facilities while others are appropriate for home use. Selecting the right lift can be confusing.

Selecting a Patient Lift Right for Your Needs

To help a caregiver pick the most appropriate home patient lift, Body Up Evolution offers these basic tips:

1. Make a list of "lift and transfer" needs that your patient requires. Use this list to ensure that the device(s) you consider will actually handle the transfer needs you have.
2. Whatever device you select, ensure it has the mechanical or electrical power to accommodate your patient's weight.
3. Many accidents involving patient lifts are caused by "operator error." Make sure the manufacturer can provide detailed instruction on the proper use of the device either through a representative or online videos and training aids.
4. Will the device require more leverage or muscle than you are capable of providing or is it essentially non-strenuous?
5. Is the device easy to clean? Like anything that is used on a daily basis, patient lifts will get dirty. Bacteria growth on a device can represent a serious threat of infection particularly to patients who have a weakened autoimmune system. Lifts should be easy to clean and all parts should be easily accessible.
6. If the device is battery powered, how easy is it to recharge and is there an electrical source with the appropriate current and wattage?
7. Is the device portable? Can it be easily transported in the trunk of a car? If your patient requires or wants mobility outside of the home, will the device accommodate transfer from and into cars?
8. What level of customer service does the manufacturer provide? If a part fails or malfunctions, how quickly can replacement parts be shipped?

Home caregivers are often spouses or adult relatives of the patient and while lift devices are designed to provide a level of mobility for the patient, the health of the caregiver is essential too. In hospital settings, back strains account for the most disabling injuries among professional care givers.

At Body Up Evolution we believe that the patient lift should be able to accommodate getting out of bed, going to the bathroom, bathing, transfer to a wheel chair or automobile all without placing any undue stress on the caregiver.

If you have questions on how we accomplish this give us a call now and we will be happy to assist you.