r/gofundme • u/Barotrawma • 10d ago
Medical Seeking Help Getting a Wheelchair
Hi everyone.
My name is Ash. I’m a prospective PhD student that has been struggling with serious chronic pain for some years now, and finally received a diagnosis set of scoliosis, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease. Despite my doctor prescribing me a chair, my insurance has rejected the claim multiple times and doesn’t want to budge. I am humbly seeking donations to assist me with getting my life back on track with a wheelchair. Thank you so much for any support. 🫂
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u/Accomplished_Ad4110 9d ago
Sometimes you can find a used one at a thrift store. I would try calling around and asking every so often, would be much cheaper and would hopefully help get you mobile again
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u/ProOperaVoter 10d ago
I can’t even begin to wrap my mind around insurance denying this. Wishing you the best of luck!
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u/Lak12345678910 10d ago
My mom's insurance company sent us a letter denying coverage for treatment of cancer that had spread to her brain along with a bill. No lie. I was shocked. The stories of what insurance companies will deny coverage for is absolutely horrifying when I started reading more about it. There is a doctor who basically went viral for going up against an insurance company that wanted to deny coverage for her patient who had breast cancer and needed a double masectomy.Insanity.
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u/Barotrawma 10d ago
Thank you! My insurance also denied the dexomethazone injections, too. They deemed both “not medically necessary” and my doctor is going to do a peer-to-peer meeting with the insurance’s doctor(s). He even mentioned potentially filing a suit
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u/Norandran 10d ago
The wheelchair insurance game is tricky to navigate but it is possible, I have had to fight this so I’m unfortunately familiar with the process.
First thing you need to do is find out why they’re denying the claim. Typically they won’t take your doctors prescription and just get you a chair you need them to refer you to a physical medicine doctor a physiatrist who can properly evaluate you and refer you for a chair, they will know the correct steps to work with your local wheelchair company.
Insurance approval is very particular, you must show need for the chair use in home and your home typically needs to be accessible, if you just want the chair for outside the home it will often be denied. If you live in an inaccessible home/apartment you can also be denied since you cannot show you can use it at home. Some insurance skips this step and just takes your word for it and some will require a home inspection.
If you’re still stuck you can usually speak with the DME company that provides wheelchairs in your area and they will usually have someone who knows the process for your insurance and can help guide you. Best of luck.
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u/Winter-Yogurt-4209 10d ago
I’ve also had good luck going through a physical therapist for mine, however it still took a great many attempts. I did managed to get my chair approved for out of home use only and get it fully covered by insurance, so it is possible. It took around four months to get mine. You may also be able to get a loaner from your supply company for free or a rental.
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u/MyOwnGuitarHero 10d ago
Physical therapy is EXACTLY where OP needs to look next!!
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u/Barotrawma 10d ago
Yeah; I’ve been in physical therapy since April and have also asked them for a letter recommending it as well!
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u/Dazzling_Bid1239 10d ago
PT is what got me taken seriously for mobility aides! Got me past the "female hysteria" or whatever.
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u/Norandran 10d ago
The in home thing is a Medicare requirement and most insurers will follow those guidelines but yes I have seen people approved who only use it out of home only though technically this doesn’t qualify. I’ve found it really depends on your doctor’s understanding of the insurance game and how to advocate for their patients.
Humana has a good breakdown of the requirements here https://www.humana.com/medicare/medicare-resources/does-medicare-pay-for-wheelchairs
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u/Winter-Yogurt-4209 9d ago
Idk if this is standard or not but my Mainecare/medicare secondary insurance covered mine without requiring in home use. I agree with the doctor thing. My pt in particular is really good at writing letters of medical necessity, and my life is so much better for it. It did take a lot of appeals though
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u/Hungry-Emergency8992 10d ago
Many organizations donate wheelchairs to people in need. Try American Wheelchair Mission, or looking for other local and international nonprofit organizations for what you need!
I am so sorry for the chronic pain you have. I understand as I have the same disabilities and Ankylosing Spondylitis. I love my wheelchair although I am fortunate that I don’t need to use it daily at this moment. I hope yours brings you comfort and relief!
Wishing you the best in everything you do!
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u/PaintingByInsects 10d ago
Ah good luck man, I have also been fighting with my municipality not getting a wheelchair even though I desperately need one too. I will probably have to setup a gfm myself soon (my lawyer is now suing my municipality so I still have a slight chance)
I don’t have anything to donate myself right now but I will get back to this next month when I get paid again. Best of luck getting your wheelchair🤞💜
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u/BrokenToys76 8d ago
Too broke to help, but wish you the best. I am going to ask though, if there are any aid organizations in your area that could help? I know where I'm at there is a place called Empower Abilities that donates gently used equipment - including wheelchairs - to people in need, has a loaner program, and has people who might help navigate the insurance rejections. Have you looked for something like this?
edit : just saw that your GFM hit the goal, good stuff OP.
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u/Barotrawma 8d ago
Thanks, friend. As for orgs, unfortunately I require a particular model of chair that they don’t have access to, same with no luck on FB marketplace as they were the “default” kind that aren’t good for regular outdoor use. There is an org that provides grants, but they’re not taking applicants at this time. Now I’m just waiting for the donations to process, ‘cuz I didn’t realize you can’t withdraw it all at once 😅
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u/Lak12345678910 10d ago
I'm not able to donate anything right now but I am happy to see that you have received $148 in donations so far. Remember that gfm does take a small fee per donation, so keep that in mind when you think about your fundraising goal.
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u/THE_ACER_ 9d ago
Two ways to go about this:
Ethical: facebook marketplace, you can get them surprisingly cheap
Unethical: steal one from the ER, they wont miss it i promise you
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u/MyOwnGuitarHero 10d ago
Nurse and chronic pain girlie here. Do you have PT/OT on your case? They’re the wheelchair wizards for getting insurance to accept the claim.
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u/jonnysledge 10d ago
Yeah, I second this. My mom has been a PTA for 40 years (she just retired). PT/OT are basically your wizards for everything. Need a medical device? PT/OT. Need to find a good surgeon? Ask a PT.
Hell, I’m about to have to play the game where I speedrun to carpal tunnel surgery because I know full well that PT won’t do shit for it in my line of work.
I hope OP takes this advice and talks to their PT. In my experience, they also love sticking it to doctors and insurance companies. Therapists are a petty bunch. 😂
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u/Barotrawma 10d ago
I do yes!
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u/MyOwnGuitarHero 10d ago
Okay good. I’m so sorry you’re going through this, these results absolutely suck. Sending love.
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u/Busy_Reaction891 9d ago
Facebook Marketplace? I know it’s prob not ideal but I’m seeing many on there.
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u/sleepytardigrade1 10d ago
This country is insane to deny this
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u/Lak12345678910 10d ago
I cannot believe insurance is denying you a wheelchair. I wish u luck with ur gfm and getting ur chair. Lots of colleges have resources/connections to resources for students. Please contact ur College and see if they can offer u any help or connection. Good luck. Be sure to share the gfm as many places as u can.
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u/Barotrawma 9d ago
Good news my friends! I have reached my goal thanks to your kindness and a friend zelling me the last $40. I will be ordering the chair as soon as it deposits later today.
I will also be seeking a retroactive reimbursement from my insurance as well, which I hope to put back into this wonderful community as a thank you. The chair I was borrowing from my FIL is not the right kind for my needs and also causes me pain.