Walk-in Bathtubs y Medicare
Una bañera sin puerta permite a las personas con discapacidades físicas minimizar las caídas y otros contratiempos al entrar y salir de las instalaciones de baño. Según las pautas de la Ley de Discapacidades de Estados Unidos (American Disabilities Act, ADA), estas tinas deberían ser más grandes que las tinas de tamaño normal. Aunque estas bañeras se consideran equipos médicos duraderos (DME), Medicare considera que las bañeras sin cita previa son un área gris para el reembolso porque los mie
Equipo médico duradero
La Parte B de Medicare cubre los costos de alquiler o compra de una variedad de equipos que pueden usarse en el hogar del paciente. Estos dispositivos deben considerarse médicamente necesarios y recetados por un médico. El equipo cubierto incluye camas de hospital, elevadores de pacientes, muletas, andadores, sillas de ruedas, scooters, equipos de oxígeno y tracción, varias bombas, nebulizadores, monitor de glucosa y máquina de diálisis. Los artículos no cubiertos incluyen rampas para sillas de ruedas instaladas de forma permanente, elevadores de escaleras, puestos de duchas para discapacitados, bañeras amplias, barras de agarre y barandas. Estos artículos se consideran conveniencias y no son equipos esenciales.
Solicitud de cobertura
Aunque las reglamentaciones de Medicare indican que las bañeras sin acceso no están cubiertas por la Parte B, se puede obtener un reembolso si se sigue cuidadosamente el proceso de solicitud. Sin embargo, los fabricantes de bañeras enfatizan que debido a que el pago no está garantizado, las personas que compran este equipo deben asegurarse de tener suficiente dinero para comprar un modelo. Un fabricante, Rane Bathing Systems, ofrece a sus clientes un folleto que describe lo que se necesita para optimizar sus posibilidades de reembolso.
Proveedores de Medicare
Para maximizar las posibilidades de reembolso, los solicitantes deben comprar la tina de una compañía reconocida por Medicare. Dichas compañías tendrán un número de proveedor de Medicare y, a menudo, ayudarán a los clientes a completar el papeleo. La prescripción de un médico es esencial, ya que valida la necesidad. Si Medicare objeta porque otra persona puede usar la tina, la carta de un médico o el plan de tratamiento pueden explicarle el tratamiento médico recomendado. El formulario de Medicare CMS-1490S debe completarse. Rane señala que también se necesita una declaración que indique que el proveedor no se negó a presentar el reclamo.
Apelaciones exitosas
Una variedad de grupos de ciudadanos de la tercera edad y defensores de discapacitados están presionando para que se modifique el estatus de DME para las bañeras sin llamar, moviéndolos de la designación como una conveniencia a una necesidad médica. Los reclamos exitosos superan las objeciones de Medicare presentando reclamos convincentes con documentación de respaldo que describe situaciones únicas, problemas de movilidad y necesidad médica.
Otros fondos
Cuando Medicare rechaza el reembolso o proporciona solo fondos parciales, otros recursos pueden estar disponibles. Estos incluyen la presentación de reclamos con un seguro complementario privado de Medicare, que cubre muchos gastos que Medicare no cubre, según la política. Las personas con discapacidades físicas que son veteranos estadounidenses pueden calificar para una de las subvenciones de modificación del hogar de la Administración de Veteranos que proporcionan fondos a aquellos cuyas lesiones fueron sufridas durante el servicio activo.
FAQ - 💬
❓ How much is a walk-in tub for seniors?
👉 A basic walk-in tub with standard safety features can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000. If you are looking for a walk-in tub with special features, such as a wheelchair accessible tub or tub with whirlpool jets, you can expect the average cost to rise to between $5,000 and $12,000.
❓ How much does it cost to install a walk in bathtub?
👉 between $2,500 and $8,000The average cost to install a walk-in tub lies between $2,500 and $8,000, depending on the complexity of the job. You'll absorb more labor costs if you need to reconfigure plumbing, install an electrical motor or remodel your bathroom to fit a larger-than-standard tub.
❓ What is an alternative to a walk-in tub?
👉 Slide-in style Bathtubs are similar but different than a walk in tub in ways. For example, these have higher walls with seats molded in them, which swing and allow the user to bathe. Basically, the operator would sit and back up and sit. Then you are able to fill and bathe as you normally would.
❓ What is the average cost of an American Standard walk-in tub?
👉 How much do American Standard walk-in tubs cost? American Standard walk-in bathtubs range from about $4,000 for a basic soaking tub (including installation) up to $12,000 for a top-of-the-line custom model with all the therapeutic fixings.
❓ Will Medicare pay for a new tub?
👉 Medicare usually doesn't cover the costs of these tubs because they aren't considered medically necessary equipment. However, there may be some ways to get coverage or other cost savings if you want a walk-in tub.
❓ Are walk in tubs tax deductible?
👉 Tax Deductibility of Walk In Tubs If a walk in tub is purchased for medical safety reasons, it can be considered a medical expense. Therefore, the materials and the installation costs are tax deductible as a Medical and Dental Expense.
❓ Do Walk-In tubs reduce home value?
👉 In general, removing a tub and installing a well-appointed walk-in shower also increases the value of a home. Removing your only tub to install a walk-in shower can make your home's value take a hit because most prospective homebuyers, especially families with small kids, want at least one bathtub.
❓ Is a walk-in tub tax deductible?
👉 If your walk-in tub is purchased for safety reasons, it may be considered a medical expense. This means that the materials and cost of installation will be tax-deductible as a Medical and Dental Expense.
❓ What are the disadvantages of a walk-in tub?
👉 What are the cons of a walk-in tub?
- Installation. If not installed properly, the installation process for a walk-in tub could be a con. ...
- Water Usage. Walk-in tubs hold more water than traditional bathtubs. ...
- Cost. The costs of a walk-in tub can be higher than the price of a typical bathtub.
❓ Do Walk In tubs reduce home value?
👉 In general, removing a tub and installing a well-appointed walk-in shower also increases the value of a home. Removing your only tub to install a walk-in shower can make your home's value take a hit because most prospective homebuyers, especially families with small kids, want at least one bathtub.
❓ What are 5 items or services not covered by Medicare?
👉 Some of the items and services Medicare doesn't cover include:
- Long-Term Care. ...
- Most dental care.
- Eye exams (for prescription glasses)
- Dentures.
- Cosmetic surgery.
- Massage therapy.
- Routine physical exams.
- Hearing aids and exams for fitting them.
❓ Will Medicare pay for a walk-in tub?
👉 If you currently receive Medicare benefits, you may be wondering if your coverage will help pay some of the costs of a walk-in tub. Unfortunately, Medicare usually does not consider a walk-in tub as durable medical equipment (DME) and will not be covered by your insurance.
❓ Is a walk in tub a medical necessity?
👉 The tub would have to be considered an absolute medical necessity. The beneficiary would need a medical diagnosis that proves his/her need. In addition, a written prescription that outlines the reasons for which a walk in tub is necessary, as well as any features specific to a brand is required.
❓ Are walk in tubs tax deductible?
👉 If a walk in tub is purchased for medical safety reasons, it can be considered a medical expense. Therefore, the materials and the installation costs are tax deductible as a Medical and Dental Expense.
❓ Can I use my pension to pay for a walk in tub?
👉 Therefore, these benefits can be used for walk in tub purchases and installations. Moreover, persons receiving these pensions can receive assistance above and beyond their current benefit specifically to pay for the cost of a walk-in tub or roll-in shower.