Your child may qualify for a Quantum® Power Chair if he or she has been diagnosed with a medical condition that affects his or her mobility. In order to determine if a power mobility device is right for him or her, you need to follow these steps.
Schedule a Face-to-Face Examination
The first thing you want to do is schedule a face-to-face examination with your child’s physician or physical or occupational therapist. During an exam, a medical practitioner must first consider the use of other mobility aids such as a cane and manual wheelchair before considering the use of a complex rehab wheelchair. If they feel that your child’s mobility needs can only be satisfied with an electric pediatric wheelchair, they will write a prescription and reflect this decision in his or her medical records.
Once you know that your child is ready to buy a pediatric wheelchair, check out our article on where to buy a pediatric wheelchair for more information.
Work with Pediatric Wheelchair Providers
Once you have chosen a provider with whom you’d like to work, have your child’s physician fax or mail the written prescription and medical records to that provider. The mobility product provider must receive the written prescription and medical records within six months from the date of the face-to-face exam. After receiving the documents, the provider will work with you, your child and your physician to determine the appropriate pediatric wheelchair to meet your son or daughter’s needs.
Conduct a Home Assessment
Either before or at the time of delivery of your child’s pediatric wheelchair, the provider you’re working with will conduct a home assessment to ensure that there is enough access and maneuverability space for your child. The purpose of using a power mobility device is to give your child independence and freedom of mobility within your home to perform daily activities such as grooming, bathing, dressing and eating. Because of this, it’s important to determine if your home will accommodate the use of your child’s pediatric wheelchair.
Learn How to Operate Your Child’s Pediatric Wheelchair
Upon receiving your child’s electric wheelchair, your provider will instruct you on how to operate it. It is important to note that the delivery of the pediatric motorized wheelchair must be no more than 120 days following your child’s face-to-face examination.
Funding for Pediatric Wheelchairs
If you are looking for insurance, Medicare or Medicaid coverage for pediatric wheelchairs, we have some resources for you! Check out our articles on funding for pediatric wheelchairs today. You can find them here:
