If your child has been diagnosed with a medical condition that affects his or her mobility, he or she may qualify for a Quantum® Power Chair. Follow these steps to find out if your child qualifies for a power mobility device:
Meet with a Healthcare Practitioner
Complex rehab power wheelchairs can only be purchased via a prescription from a medical practitioner. Call your child’s physician or physical therapist and schedule a face-to-face examination to see if he or she qualifies. The healthcare practitioner must consider the use of alternative mobility aids such as a cane, walker and manual wheelchair before considering the use of a complex rehab wheelchair. They will write a prescription and note in your child’s medical record that his or her mobility needs can only be satisfied with a complex rehab kids wheelchair, if necessary.
When the clinician performing the exam has written the prescription, you are ready to take the next step in buying a kids wheelchair. For information on locating a dealer near you, check out our article on where to buy a wheelchair for kids.
Find a Kids Wheelchair Dealer
After choosing a dealer that you want to work with, have the medical practitioner fax or mail the written prescription and medical records to the dealer. The mobility product dealer must receive the written prescription and medical records within six months from the date of the face-to-face exam. Once the provider receives the documents, they will work with you, your child and the healthcare practitioner to determine the appropriate kids wheelchair to meet your son or daughter’s needs.
Schedule a Home Assessment
It’s important to determine if your home will accommodate the use of your son or daughter’s kids wheelchair. Your child’s power mobility device can provide greater independence and freedom of mobility within the home to perform daily activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming and eating. Your kids wheelchair provider will conduct a home assessment either before or at the time of delivery of the power wheelchair, to ensure that there is enough access and maneuverability space for your son or daughter.
Learn the Basics of Operating Your Child’s Wheelchair
When you receive the kids wheelchair, your provider will show you and your child how to operate it. Keep in mind 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 Kids Wheelchairs
If you are looking for insurance, Medicare or Medicaid coverage for pediatric wheelchairs, we have some resources for you! Check out our article on kids wheelchairs and Medicaid funding.
