AboutJohn Pedit Expertise Am an expert on Medicare, Medicare HMOs, and Medicare supplemental insurance. Also have extensive knowledge of Medicare especially in Mich. Have knowledge of COBRA and the Portability Act
Experience
Past/Present clients Council about 300 persons yearly and do many presentations on Medicare
Question I would like to purchase a power wheelchair online. There is a significant difference if the consumer pays verse Medicare. ($5,300 if Medicare is charged and $3,600 if paid for by the consumer.) I would like to reduce my 20% co-pay by purchasing the wheelchair myself and then submitting the bill to Medicare. I would go through any pre=authorizations that are necessary. My question is: Can a consumer submit bills and pre-authorize through Medicare? Does Medicare ever deal directly with consumers? This would also save Medicare money.
Answer Suzanne
What you want to do sounds good, but it is the hard way to go and very frustrating. Also you are responsible for the chair and loose all the safeguards.
Proper way is to get a prescription from the doctor that it is medically necessary, go to an authorized provider and get a chair.
this way the provider is responsible for the upkeep of the chair and any repairs, including replacement if necessary. It is actually a rental agreement, a much safer way to go for the user.
In essence, Medicare deals with the consumer through the authorized provider.
