Wheelchair Evaluation
Your doctor or other health care professional has recommended that a manual wheelchair,
power wheelchair, or scooter would be helpful for mobility. How do you decide which one
would be best for you? A qualified physical therapist (PT) or occupational therapist (OT) can
help evaluate what type of equipment would be most appropriate.
Why is a wheelchair evaluation necessary?
By participating in a wheelchair evaluation, we will be able to identify which type of mobility
device would best suit your function and needs. It will provide valuable information about your
functional abilities, your environment (home, work, school), and any other special needs.
Insurance providers (both private and governmental) have very specific requirements that
must be fulfilled in order for them to approve the purchase of any mobility device/wheelchair.
This will include a detailed evaluation and/or a letter of medical necessity. Your therapist will
be able to identify these requirements and meet those obligations.
What can I expect during the wheelchair evaluation?
The evaluation will take approximately 2 hours. The physical or occupational therapist will be
present at the time of the evaluation, along with a representative from a wheelchair company
to assist in identifying the most appropriate equipment for you.
The therapist will evaluate:
Your physical abilities
The accessibility of your environment
Your functional limitations
Your ability to perform mobility related activities of daily living (MRADLs) such as bathing,
dressing, grooming, toileting, homemanagement, transfers, and ambulation.
The type of transportation you use
How the wheelchair will increase your independence
Your ability to use the mobility device safely, including specific seating and positioning issues
Once your mobility needs have been identified, the therapist will provide you
an opportunity to try similar equipment and provide training in the use of the equipment,
whether it is a wheelchair or scooter.
Why should I have an appointment with an occupational or physical therapist?
Physical and occupational therapists have a knowledge of anatomy, disease progression, and
wheelchairs, and can advocate for the appropriate equipment for you. It is their job to:
Identify the mobility device that best meets your needs and functional limitations (manual
wheelchair, power wheelchair, or
scooter)
Identify the seating and positioning
products that will work best for your
body and functional needs
Identify any special needs that require
custom fitting, adaptive seating
functions (tilt/recline), or specific
modifications to meet your needs.
The therapist will assist in making these
decisions and provide the justifications for
medical necessity to the insurance company.
Qualities to look for in a wheelchair supplier
The physical or occupational therapist at the
Mellen Center will have a qualified
wheelchair supplier present at the time of
the evaluation to assist with decision
making on the most appropriate equipment
for your needs.
If you live out of state, it is in your best
interest to obtain your wheelchair
locally for servicing and repairs. You will
want to make sure that the company you
contact has the following qualifications:
The company is accredited by the Joint
Commission on Accreditation
of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).
The company representatives are
members of the National Registry of
Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers
(NRRTS).
The company representatives are
accredited by the Rehabilitation
Engineering and Assistive Technology
Society of North America (RESNA).
The therapist is familiar with
neurological disorders, particularly
MS/ALS progression.
The therapist has experience with
performing wheelchair evaluations and
works with a qualified wheelchair
company.
Steps for getting a wheelchair
You must have a specific order for a
wheelchair evaluation by your Mellen
Center doctor.
Call the Mellen Center appointment line
at 216.444.8600 to make an
appointment with the PT/OT for a
wheelchair evaluation.
Come to your appointment with :
z Insurance cards
z Current wheelchair, if you have one
z Caregivers or family members if
appropriate
The therapist will evaluate and
document the medical need for
the equipment.
The doctor reviews and signs the
paperwork if in agreement.
The vendor will submit the paperwork to
the insurance company
for approval.
Once approved, the vendor will order the
equipment.
The vendor will then schedule a date for
delivery to your home.
In many cases, the wheelchair vendor will
need to perform a home evaluation in order
to assess accessibility and to document that
the equipment ordered/recommended will
be able to be used in your home.
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