Explore UAB

800-UAB-MIST - 24-hour hotline for physicians to consult with a UAB specialist.


MD Learning Channel
Ask a Question
Feedback & Comments
PCPs & ADA Compliance


The UAB-TBIMS provides this website as an auxiliary resource for primary care of patients with TBI.The contents of this website were developed under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90DPTB0029). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this website do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
NIDILRR



Patient has never had a wheelchair but is recently having difficulty with mobility.

Patient may be a candidate for a wheelchair if at least one of the following conditions apply:

  • Patient has difficulty with mobility in the home such as getting to the bathroom in time before an incontinent episode; or
  • Patient cannot walk safely (without falls/near falls) throughout the home independently (with or without an assistive device such as
    a cane or walker) and do so in a reasonable amount of time

If conditional, documentation is needed for the medical reasons for these limitations (pain, weakness, sensory issues, etc). In some cases, Medicare requires a "Face to Face Evaluation" and document these conditions in a clinical setting for the purpose of determining need for a mobility device. This documentation should be done in your usual form of documentation and not on a letterhead provided by a Durable Medical Equipment (DME) provider.

General Recommendation: Evaluation* and documentation in collaboration with a certified assistive technology professional at the nearest health system or hospital-based outpatient facility or clinic (search here) who can advise on considerations of insurance stipulations, assistive technologies, wheelchair selection, vendor selection, wheelchair fitting, and seating evaluation.

Note
*Some insurance will require an evaluation by a licensed PT or OT. Some therapists may be comfortable performing these evaluations but others may not and can help with referring to a qualified therapist to do a thorough evaluation.

800-UAB-MIST - 24-hour hotline for physicians to consult with a UAB specialist.


MD Learning Channel
Ask a Question
Feedback & Comments
PCPs & ADA Compliance


The UAB-TBIMS provides this website as an auxiliary resource for primary care of patients with TBI.The contents of this website were developed under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90DPTB0029). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this website do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
NIDILRR