Going from ECV to Power Chair (doctor's orders)

[Piper]

My doctor (and the arthritis in my shoulders) has finally convinced me that I need to get a power chair for every day use. I have had an ECV for several years for distance, but that doesn't help me in the apartment--and when my shoulders act up, it is difficult to use.

I finally agreed at my appointment last Tuesday that I needed one and she must have been afraid I would change my mind because the company the insurance uses was calling me 30 minutes after I got home!! I have an appointment on Monday to be fitted. They're moving really fast!

They mentioned that my doctor had indicated that I would need a high back for support and an adjustable foot rest since my left foot tends to swell frequently. They said they thought a Shoprider Streamer Sport would work with just a few modifications. I am not familiar with that brand. Does anyone have a Shoprider and is it reliable?

Thanks for any input.

 

[Piper]

Sue or Kay, I meant to post this on the Community Board--could you please move it for me? Thanks.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

Personally before you talk to the DME company, I'd talk to your doctor about getting an evaluation from a physical therapist who is used to doing evaluations. Most DME companies don't really have people who are qualified to evaluate what will fit best your medical needs (and certainly don't do things like pressure mapping to make sure you get the correct cushion if you end up with a seat that needs a cushion).

I've only ever used a Shoprider scooter. I do have to say as someone who spends time on boards like WheelchairJunkie where there's a lot of discussion of powerchairs, I've never heard of someone having one of their chairs which somewhat concerns me. My guess is that they're on the same level as my experience with their scooters which was reasonably reliable, but cheap and some of the cheapness showed. That said, I'm also not someone who ever dealt well with having a scooter (should have had a powerchair at that point) so my opinion is going to be bias on that side.

I would highly suggest checking out the WheelchairJunkie website and reading some of the articles about evaluation and researching power chairs. There's no such thing as being too prepared.

 

[Piper]

Personally before you talk to the DME company, I'd talk to your doctor about getting an evaluation from a physical therapist who is used to doing evaluations. Most DME companies don't really have people who are qualified to evaluate what will fit best your medical needs (and certainly don't do things like pressure mapping to make sure you get the correct cushion if you end up with a seat that needs a cushion).

I've only ever used a Shoprider scooter. I do have to say as someone who spends time on boards like WheelchairJunkie where there's a lot of discussion of powerchairs, I've never heard of someone having one of their chairs which somewhat concerns me. My guess is that they're on the same level as my experience with their scooters which was reasonably reliable, but cheap and some of the cheapness showed. That said, I'm also not someone who ever dealt well with having a scooter (should have had a powerchair at that point) so my opinion is going to be bias on that side.

I would highly suggest checking out the WheelchairJunkie website and reading some of the articles about evaluation and researching power chairs. There's no such thing as being too prepared.

Thank you for the site. I posted because I feel a little rushed at this point...the appointment on Monday is with the doctor and physical therapist. It seems that my insurance only uses this one company and I have qualms about them!

 

[peemagg]

If what you get doesn't work for you, it can cause more damage than to help. I agree with Wheeledtraveler about getting a correct fitting. I had a fitting for a manual chair and the rep who came out tried to tell me that the things that I knew I needed, I didn't need. It was not until my PT got involved did I get the things I need (I think. I am still waiting for my chair and this has been going on since April when the script was wrote by my doctor.).

 

[SueM in MN]

Thank you for the site. I posted because I feel a little rushed at this point...the appointment on Monday is with the doctor and physical therapist. It seems that my insurance only uses this one company and I have qualms about them!

If it is the one medical equipment company, that may not be a problem because the medical equipment company would have access to ordering any different brand.
They may recommend one brand because they make more profit on it, which is unethical, but does happen.
You also may get caught up in the competitive bidding quagmire this article talks about, even of you have insurance, not Medicare or Medicaid:
http://wheelchairjunkie.com/hr1041.html

I have also never heard of anyone having a Shoprider power wheelchair, so would be hesitant about it without having some good feedback.
I would also be concerned about one they "think might do." you want one that will do, because once you have it, you won't be able to get another one for at least 5 years.
If the stuff they think might do is as much modification as that wheelchair is Ble to be done, you will be in trouble if more modification is needed in 3 years.

Also, another important point is how you will transport your new wheelchair after you have it. I know of someone who got a new power wheelchair delivered to the house and then realized they could not even get it out of the house, much less into their van. They didn't realize it could not be taken apart like their ECV.

The most common brands of power wheelchair are Jazzy, Invacare and Quickie. Jazzy is a good basic, no frills brand that many people like. My DD's is Invacare, which was more adaptable than the Jazzy (but DD needs a lot of modifications).

Permobile is another good brand, but in general, a bit higher end. There are fewer Permobile dealers in our area, which was one of our considerations in choosing Invacare.

 

[Piper]

My appointment on Monday is with the doctor then PT to assess needs a little more. I am hoping this will allow me to make a better choice. I am not going with the Shoprider. I absolutely cannot find anything on it by other users--so it is out.

I do have Medicare part B, so I should be able to get something that fits my needs now and in the immediate future. I have hesitated to take this step for a while, but now I really have no choice.....except in what I get. And I intend to do my best to make it the best choice!!

I appreciate your confirming my concerns. I knew this board would be a big help in either negating or confirming what I had discovered (or in this case--not discovered!)

 

[WheeledTraveler]

Do you have a plan for transportation? That's going to be the biggest outside factor in a lot of ways. For example, I got my power chair when I was living in NYC. (Mine was also something I got used, but that's its own story) In NYC it was great. Then I needed to stop working and moved back in with my parents in CT. The power chair has sat in the garage since other than when I want to walk the mile to town because I don't have an adapted van and due to some of the power chair features (doesn't sound like ones you will need), I can't have it modified to be able to fit it into a regular van.

By the way, just to slightly clarify what Sue said, Jazzy is actually one range of wheelchairs by Pride who also do a range of wheelchairs that are a bit higher-end (on par with her daughter's Invacare). That series is the Quantum series.

This will sound odd, but you do want a chair that fits for you so modifying a chair is not necessarily a bad thing, but not being able to choose your own chair in a way is also bad! One good place for reviews (with more than a place like WCJ can provide) is http://usatechguide.org/reviews.php

 

[SueM in MN]

There are basic wheelchairs, which have less opportunity for modification.
Jazzy is an example of that type of chair and those are very good chairs for some users who don’t need much adaptation.

Then there are “Rehab” chairs, which allow a lot of modification. My DD needs a Rehab wheelchair because she requires many adaptations, including specialized seating, a lot of programming of her power system, a special joystick. Not everyone needs that much modification and modification comes with a higher pricetag. Quantum is one brand of Rehab chairs and was previously more of a model of Jazzy power wheelchairs than an actual different brand as it is now.

When DD got her last power wheelchair, Pride had only recently started in the the Rehab market with their Quantum series. The equipment company tried to talk us into a Quantum wheelchair, but I knew several people who had them and were very unhappy with them, plus the reviews I read were bad (mostly 1s and 2s). Since that was about 5 years ago, I am sure Quantum has learned a lot and applied what they learned to their products.
You do have to be careful about reviews. People who are pleased are less likely to write a review than people who are unhappy. And, sometimes, the reviewer will rate the item very low because of something that will not be a problem for you at all. So, reviews may not mean much!

DD’s power chairs had always been Invacare and we have been pleased with them and the infrequent need for repairs her chairs have had. Invacare also had some unique options that make things easier for her (one is called TruTrak and helps to keep the chair going straight when driving in certain situations). We were able to make the case for an Invacare chair and have been happy with it.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

Oh, the other note I have, although it sounds like your doctor is doing it this way, is to get the evaluation and figure out what chair is needed and THEN get the prescription written so it's specific to the specific chair and what you need on it.

FWIW, I have a Quantum chair that I love. I've also tried an Invacare TDXSP and I liked that. I found most things comparable between the two and at the point when I can get insurance to cover a power chair (currently I have crap insurance that would require me to be completely bedbound without one before they'd pay and they'd still only pay a pittance so there's no point), I'll certainly be revisiting both! I will say that I'm in love with midwheel drive chairs over other types of wheel configuration, but I can see why they don't work for everyone and they're not perfect for everything. (For example, I once nearly tipped my chair when I misjudged a snowstorm and waited to long at work to leave so there was 4" of snow by the time I got off my bus - front wheel drive would have been better in that situation)

 

[SueM in MN]

Oh, the other note I have, although it sounds like your doctor is doing it this way, is to get the evaluation and figure out what chair is needed and THEN get the prescription written so it's specific to the specific chair and what you need on it.

FWIW, I have a Quantum chair that I love. I've also tried an Invacare TDXSP and I liked that. I found most things comparable between the two and at the point when I can get insurance to cover a power chair (currently I have crap insurance that would require me to be completely bedbound without one before they'd pay and they'd still only pay a pittance so there's no point), I'll certainly be revisiting both! I will say that I'm in love with midwheel drive chairs over other types of wheel configuration, but I can see why they don't work for everyone and they're not perfect for everything. (For example, I once nearly tipped my chair when I misjudged a snowstorm and waited to long at work to leave so there was 4" of snow by the time I got off my bus - front wheel drive would have been better in that situation)

They may do it like that, where the doctor writes the very specific prescription, but also the MD might write up something less specific. My DD has lots of very specific needs - more than could be in a short prescription. Someone with less complicated needs might be able to have their needs covered in the prescription.

At least for every wheelchair my DD has gotten, the MD prescription was pretty basic, giving the type of chair (not model) and the general features/modifications she needs. And, he had a statement that said specifications following the recommendations of the PT and seating specialist.
The PT and seating specialist wrote up the very specific justification for what chair she needed and the exact specifications, including the brand, model and all the specifics.
Last time she got a chair, they had to make 3 additional write-ups with more information/justification to answer additional questions posed by the insurance company.

 

[Piper]

Thank you all for the information. I feel much better informed than before. This appointment is specifically to write the prescription--the PT will be there along with the MD. They will then fax the information to the people who do the approval and the DME provider.

I think that I need one that is elevating because one of my issues is that I cannot stand long enough to even scramble eggs without being in considerable pain right now. I need something that would allow me to cook simple things. I am on the waiting list for Meals on Wheels, but who knows how long that will take--plus it only provides one meal a day. They have recommended getting a caregiver, but I am not ready for that yet. I am hoping the power chair can greatly reduce that need by making me a lot more independent!

I also want to try a couple of different chairs to get the one that is best for me....I know that my condition will not get better, so I need to get one that will meet my needs for a long time. My prayer is that I "hold my own" and since my progression has been much slower than predicted, I believe that I am doing just that!