How often will Medicare authorize me to obtain a new powerchair?
I am on my third powerchair. The life of a wheelchair is considered to be five years. However there are exceptions. I had one replaced after three years. It was explained to me that the process is much like that of the insurance industry. The wheelchair does not have to be totally irreparable. The amount of repairs are weighed against the amount of just replacing the chair with a new one. If it is more cost effective to just replace it then it is considered "totalled" and they give you a new one. At that point you are allowed to keep the old one. I usually give mine to some organization that can refurbish it for someone who has no insurance to pay for one.
