Does health ins ever cover short term ECV rental if prescribed?

[Dancemom03]

Hi all,
New to disabilities and will need to learn a lot quickly it appears. DH has had a problem with his legs giving out without warning for years now. It's gotten progressively worse until now he has real problems walking, can't stand for more than fifteen minutes or so, and falls suddenly a couple times a day.

Last week, he feel and thought he might have broken his rib so, after a day of pain, he finally gave in and went to the ER. While there, the doctor discovered that the weakness in his legs has begun to affect his arms as well. We're waiting on an MRI of brain before making a final decision to travel. We were supposed to leave for wdw on Thursday and are hoping for the best but it's been a stressful week. As if there wasn't enough to worry about already, a certified letter came from the hospital Friday saying there was a nodule showing on his lung xray. His doctor hasn't returned our calls so the weekend leaves us feeling even more uncertain than we were before.

DH has Crohn's and heart issues already but has always been one to keep moving. He won't talk about it. As his legs get worse though, he's falling much more and is more often injured in the fall.

If we go, he'll need an ECV. Last week the radiologist tech suggested that perhaps Carefirst/BC/BS might pay for a short term ECV rental, if his doctor prescribed it. Is that a possibility? Does anyone have any experience with short term ECV rentals?

Another question... I'm planning to drive to Orlando so we'll have a vehicle just in case, while his nephew will take him to the airport to fly so he isn't subjected to the long car ride. I'd like to rent the ECV here and have him use it at the airport. Is there any reason that wouldn't be advisable? Should we wait and have one delivered in wdw instead?
Is there an extra charge for an ECV on Southwest planes or do they just gate check free like strollers? Would you gate check a rental ECV or is that just risking too much damage/wear & tear?

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm sorry, I just found your thread and don't have time for a long answer.
The short answer is that insurance may cover the ECV rental, it all depends on your policy and exactly how things are written, both in the policy and by your doctor writing the order.
In the situation you are describing, an ECV might be appropriate even if you were not going to WDW. That would help in the justification for getting insurance to pay.

I am going to move this thread to the disABILITIES Board (you posted by mistake on the disABILITIES Community Board, which is more for general subjects). You will get more people posting advice on the board I am moving this to since it is aimed at WDW trips with disabilities.

If you follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread, you will find a lot of helpful information - especially post #2 about renting at WDW and the post about air travel. An ECV or wheelchair is transported by the airlines free of charge for someone who needs it for a disability. It would not count toward your baggage allowance either.

 

[Puget Peach]

When my SO's hoveround was stolen, Medicare would pay for a rental (while waiting for a replacement) through any company signed on as their "provider", essentially a company that agreed to a certain rental cap price. There was not a single such provider in our entire state. Hopefully your insurer will be a bit looser with the purse strings.

 

[Momelie]

Mine paid for short term rental for 3 months prior to an evaluation to determine if I qualified for permanent use. I did, then they purchased the one I had been renting, and all the rental payments (I had a co-pay) counted toward the purchase price. I wound up paying much less that way than I would have if I had just paid the outright co-pay to purchase it.

I encourage you to try it!

Anyway, I'm writing this from the airport as we speak, waiting to get on a plane to London for a few weeks - my scooter is in the front of the lounge. ECVs and medical equipment fly free of charge and free of luggage quotas, and the airline personnel are very accomodating of them.

Hope all works out well for you, and let me know if you have any more questions. We're supposed to have broadband at our flat, so I should be able to be online soon!