Durable Medical Equipment not covered by insurance?
Many patients who experience a serious illness or injury fight to regain their functional physical mobility and independence, and this can be a challenging time. Sometimes this requires relying on assistive or adaptive equipment to help return to fullest potential, and to increase the ability to function with more independence.
Many patients will find out that certain types of medical equipment are only partially covered — or even not covered at all. For example, you may require a walker for safe ambulation, and a wheelchair at times when you are fatigued or need to go a greater distance - but your insurance covers only one or the other. Or you need a walker upstairs, but cannot go downstairs carrying the walker, so you need one downstairs as well, and your insurance only covers one. You may need a tub bench, shower chair, or bedside commode and none of these are covered by your insurance. How frustrating to know equipment is available that would allow more independence, but not having access to it because of inadequate insurance or the inability to pay. This is a reality for many patients. But take heart - there are services that can help!
Some churches take in donated equipment which they provide to others for free - it may be worth a few phone calls to check with your local churches. Fire Stations sometimes have donated equipment they can assist with as well. Thrift stores often have donated equipment for sale inexpensively, and yard sales offer equipment no longer needed as well.
One of the greatest resources available to patients in Virginia is the Free Foundation. See their mission below, taken from their website: www.free-foundation.org/richmond
The Foundation for Rehabilitation Equipment & Endowment (F.R.E.E.) is a volunteer-led 501(c)(3) non-profit based in the state of Virginia. We collect, sanitize, and gift donated mobility equipment to low-income under-insured or uninsured adults in Virginia. There are several area Free Foundation chapters to serve our state: Roanoke, Richmond, Williamsburg, Lynchburg, Winchester, Harrisonburg and Virginia Beach.
Reach out to them to ask if they may be able to help you with that second walker you need, or the shower chair you need - the equipment available is dependent on donations.
Equipment you can apply for includes: Walkers and wheeled walkers, canes, crutches, bath and toilet aids, manual and power wheelchairs, hoyer lifts, and other specialty equipment.
They do not offer respiratory equipment, oxygen, tube feeding equipment or hospital beds; and are not able to pick up or deliver equipment.
You will have to complete an application (online, faxed, emailed) to your local Free Foundation office. You will need to provide: A completed application for equipment and a letter of medical necessity or prescription from a medical professional.
For those of you outside of the state of Virginia, for resources you can visit: www.passitoncenter.org
And once you have recuperated and have equipment you no longer need, please consider donating to your local Goodwill, as they work with the Free Foundation to clean, repair and donate to others in need!
Source: Free Foundation for Rehabilitation Equipment and Endowment.
