Will Medicare pay for a car lift for a power chair?

My mom has a power chair (not a scooter) and is spending more and more time in it to get around. She wants to get out of the house occasionally, like to go to the store, church or even the doctor's office, and is no longer able to manage with a walker or a cane. We need to get a lift platform (I don't know what it's really called) that attaches to the back of a car on a hitch and allows you to roll the power chair onto it so you can take it with you. I've seen them online for $1000+, and since she's on disability and Medicare, that's definitely beyond our means. Will Medicare cover this like they did the chair itself?

Your mom is lucky to have your help!

You don't say exactly where you live or how old your mom is, however you do say that she is getting Medicare, so I will assume that she is over age 60 and that you live in the United States or one of the U.S. Territories. If this is so, and you want to discuss this question with "real people" who are familiar with Medicare rules and know other possible resources for your mom and you as a caregiver, I would highly recommend that you call the Area Agency on Aging serving the community where you live.

Professionals at the Area Agency on Aging provide guidance in helping seniors and their caregivers. Believe me, questions like this pop up and affect seniors' lives every day -- Area Agency on Aging staff will know the best way to cut through the red tape to help you find out possible ways to get help that you are needing. I am confident that you will find the Area Agency staff friendly and helpful. They will help answer Medicare-related questions in an easy-to-understand way and they will likely know options that might help with your mom's mobility challenges.

If you live in the United States or one of the territories, there is an Area Agency on Aging serving where you live. You can call toll-free 1-800-677-1116 to find how to contact the one serving you. When you make the call to your local Area Agency on Aging ask for the staff in "Information and Assistance" or the staff that helps "Family Caregivers."

Another thing to know about Area Agencies on Aging is that most of them have information and resources that help and support family caregivers, so you might want to ask about this when you make your call.

If you do contact your local Area Agency on Aging and like the help that they give you, let your local county officials and your folks in Congress know. Area Agencies on Aging are funded under the Older Americans Act and they don't have big budgets! Your contribution to help provide important information and assistance services other caregivers and to your older friends and neighbors would be appreciated--but is absolutely not required-- to get the help you need .

Hope this helps! Best wishes to you and to your mom!

There are a number of organisations in Aus that may help. Centrelink sometimes lends a hand.
Talk to someone at Scooters Australia in Melb, Sydney, Brisbane or Perth. They should be able to direct you to an appropriate organisation.

All depends on whether you have A or B Medicaire. My brother has been wheelchair bound for many years now with MS and I do know that his Medicare covered only a very small portion of the cost. Talk with your doc re: what plan you should be carrying...physicians' offices are pretty well educated on these things as they will try to prescribe those items and meds according to the coverage the patient has.

Lady----------I hate to be the bearer of bad news----------Medicare does not cover lifts or ramps-------sorry