Purchasing an ecv?

[katrina1122]

So I had my ankle reconstructed in Sept '09 and am still healing. I've had to rent a scooter 2x now for conventions, plus I still use them sometimes in the grocery store.

No one can figure out why it still hurts soooo much, so I think I'm in this for the long haul.

I've heard there are some that fold up to fit in a car? How heavy duty are they? Weight limits? etc.

Are ecv's covered by medical insurance if you have a dr's script?

So clueless on this, but I"m thinking it may be more economical in the long run. I don't need it on a daily basis, but for long hauls for sure. We are hoping to hit WDW this year or next, I'd need it there for sure.

We have a few medical supply stores in town I can hit, or is it better to deal with online dealers?

 

[bidnow5]

Hi they come in all sizes I have one with a 300 weight limit that has U1 batteries it will go anywhere and last about 2 days in Disney the drawback is it's big and heavy we take it apart and put it in the trunk of the car but I can't do it I have to have help. I also have a small one with 250 limit that has two small batteries that wouldn't last half a day in Disney but it only weights about 70 pounds and broken down I can put it in the trunk by myself.

If you look up mobility scooters on line there are a lot of sites that have all the specifics

 

[bedogged]

So I had my ankle reconstructed in Sept '09 and am still healing. I've had to rent a scooter 2x now for conventions, plus I still use them sometimes in the grocery store.

No one can figure out why it still hurts soooo much, so I think I'm in this for the long haul.

I've heard there are some that fold up to fit in a car? How heavy duty are they? Weight limits? etc.

Are ecv's covered by medical insurance if you have a dr's script?

So clueless on this, but I"m thinking it may be more economical in the long run. I don't need it on a daily basis, but for long hauls for sure. We are hoping to hit WDW this year or next, I'd need it there for sure.

We have a few medical supply stores in town I can hit, or is it better to deal with online dealers?

I bought a Pride GO GO Elite Traveler Plus HD last year and have been very pleased with it. The HD model is a little more heavy duty and will take up to 325 pounds. The non-HD model will take up to about 300 as I recall.

The model I have is lightweight and weighs about 117 pounds. It comes apart in a five pieces that do not weigh more than 35 pounds.

No matter what brand you buy, be sure you get good batteries with it! Sometimes the less expensive scooters, even the same brand, are less expensive because of the batteries. You want AH17 or AH18 batteries. Don't settle for less. My batteries will last over two days in WDW.

Unfortunately, most insurance companies and Medicare do not pay for a scooter that will be used outside. You need to check with your own insurance company to be sure. I bought my own. It was $1,100 total. What I did was to look online and print out the best price I could find. I took the printout to my local store and they matched the price and because I had a prescription, I did not have to pay tax.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

You are better off going to several DME shops and talk to them. See what they suggest you get and why they make that suggestion. I would strongly suggest buying locally so any repairs will be done at the selling location.

I shopped around for several months and narrowed down to three ECVs and two outside lifts for my Ford Edge since I was getting a standard ECV. I then listed my possible choices and sent a letter to ten different dealers in the area, asking them to give me a quote for one of the ECVs and a lift including installation. I then went with the low bidder.

 

[POOHsie]

Those TV commercials about free scooters are very misleading. You are not going to get your scooter paid for unless the right things are wrong with you. Medicare's concern is about a person being able to handle basic human needs within the home. If you cannot use a manual wheelchair, then consideration is given for you to have a scooter. But it is not going to be paid for if your needs are outside of the home. Your ankle problem will not get you a paid-for scooter. Google "medicare scooter" and you can download a pdf document about Medicare requirements for scooter coverage.

The latest Pride Go-Go scooters seem to be ideal for many people, in-between super-lightweight and medium weight. The 18AH batteries are good if you are not going on some hilly terrain for a long distance. They will last all day at Disney. I started with a Go-Go, then after a few years moved up to a medium scooter with two U-1 batteries (much more long-lasting power, bigger size, & smoother ride). I purchased my own scooters and lift.

I have a minivan and I bought a scooter lift to keep my scooter in the car at all times. I use a wheelchair in the home. With the scooter lift, I don't have to take the scooter apart and back together each and every time I use it.

Strongly suggest you try scooters at a local durable medical supply store. Do not call the TV commercial people EVER. I bought my scooters and lift at spinlife.com. Very high recommendations from many people, free ship and lowest prices.

Whoever you buy from, find out in advance where the unit will be repaired. This is why Pride is a strong choice, they have repair facilities everywhere. Other scooters, not so much...

 

[Disney4us2]

I have the Pride Gogo elite HD. I was lucky, and medicare approved the scooter. I only had a small out of pocket to pay. I am fine without using aids in the home, but need my rollator or scooter when outside the home.

 

[katrina1122]

Thanks for the suggestions on scooter types.

I'm not on medicare, I'm on my own insurance as I'm able to work, though I do have fibromyalgia which is a covered disability, so I could be should I decide i can't work anymore. I know it won't be fully covered by my ins, I just meant is it considered Durable Medical Equipment (DME) so with a dr's script I get the 80/20 coverage. Since medicare says it must be for in-home use, I'd guess my insurance would say the same thing, and yes, I know I can call and ask, lol... just trying to gather all the right questions/knowledge before I start doing so.

 

[brat]

Sometimes they will cover a power chair instead of ECV/scooter.

 

[katrina1122]

Sometimes they will cover a power chair instead of ECV/scooter.

Didn't even think of that.

Lot's of research to be done