Prescription for walkers, etc.?
 

I am going to ask my PCP (or neuro, I suppose) about a prescription for a rolling walker (rollator). How does that work? If the doctor prescribes it, can you pick out what you want? Do the insurance companies have a set amount? For example, if I want one that costs $150 and their limit is $100, can I pay the $50 and still have insurance cover it?

I have no idea what I'm doing!!!

Mine reimbursed me, B2. You should probably start with your insurance company, many have certain vendors approved, models, brands and the bells & whistles and such.

When I wanted a second one to keep in the car, I had to pay outright but the prescription did make it tax free for me (here).

They have some really shiny red ones! ;)

Once you have a presciption, your insurance will pay for it (minus your deductable) normally. I would check my policy under the section that is entitled "Durable Medical Equipment". It will help clarify the issue.

I was concerned about a similat issue when I purchased my scooter, as it is one of the speedy models that most insurance do not cover. I got the perscription and submitted it to a scooter provider that was listed in my insurance policy.....and within a short period of time the scooter was delivered to my home.

It should be the same for you if you have Blue Cross.

-Vic

Well, my PCP wrote me out a prescription for the rolling walker (with a seat) and I called the local medical supply place to see what the procedure is. They are only open weekdays OF COURSE, so I'll have to wait until I have a day off to stop in.

The guy I talked to said "99% of the time, insurance won't pay for them". Do what??

I have one picked out on Amazon that I really like, but I'd hate to buy one myself if Blue Cross will cover it. Wish I knew whether the guy at Keene Medical knows what he's talking about or not.

Can they just call the insurance company and find out on the spot, I wonder?

I think your best bet is to talk directly to your insurer, you need the specs of your policy to know for sure. My vendor couldn't bill them directly, but I did get reimbursed for one of mine.

Also, B2, I would discourage you from buying your first one from an internet seller. There are many styles/types of rollators and this is something that you need to test drive to be sure it's what you need and want. Your vendor can help you with adjusting it to fit you properly and give you tips on using it to your best benefit. They'll also do those occasional tweaks and little fixes for you.:)

When my dad was buying my mom a walker (rollators actually) we decided she needed one for home, and one for outside/going places.

He decided it was much easier to just pay for the rollators outright, rather than dither around with the insurance company.

My mom has one for upstairs, one for downstairs, and one for the car/outside.

The reason she has one for downstairs is because she nearly killed herself trying to carry her walker down the stairs on the stairlifty thing she rides down on. So, we've got one for the basement that she hardly ever uses.

I used that one when I fell down the stairs in January and smooshed my knee up. It really helped a lot. If I ever get to the point where I'll need a walker, I'm going to try not to be self concious about it, because I can see how they really help.

I used a "regular" walker when I fell and hurt my foot badly. It helped me to keep a lot of my weight off of that foot. It was my Dad's and I adjusted it a time or two but finally got it to where I needed it. Lift and go, lift and go, thank goodness for upper body strength. I used it for six weeks and then a cane worked O.K.

Now a cane when I'm out and about. When it got to the point where a rollator might work, I didn't use that because my balance isn't that great. But, those kind do come in quite handy for someone who can use them. Perhaps, in the future along with AFO's, one of those would work if I needed it.

I can see where it would be handy to have one on every level for sure. And, insurance varies as to what they would pay for or help pay for. :)