FAQ
At Aspire Mobility, we believe your mobility journey should be as unique as you are. We understand the process of obtaining a new wheelchair can be stressful. That’s why we’re here to help you navigate every step of the process, from the evaluation, insurance approval, all the way to servicing your wheelchair post-delivery.
We pride ourselves on our exceptional Assistive Technology Professionals (ATP), who bring years of specialized training and hands-on experience to every job. Our ATPs excel at fitting you in the right wheelchair for your medical needs as well as your lifestyle and goals.
Additionally, we partner with leading industry manufacturers to provide you access to the latest innovations and equipment. When you work with us, you’re not just getting a wheelchair – you’re gaining a team of dedicated professionals and resources committed to your success.
If you deal with a medical condition or mobility limitation, such as unsteady gait or poor balance with a history of falls, and are unable to perform Mobility Related Activities of Daily Living (MRADL), including dressing, grooming, toileting, feeding, or bathing, you likely qualify.
For custom manual wheelchairs:
- You are unable to use a cane or walker, but have the upper-body strength to self-propel a manual wheelchair and intend to use it full-time. Other key factors are the mental and physical capabilities, along with the willingness and motivation, to operate a manual wheelchair.
For custom power wheelchairs:
- You are unable to use a cane or walker and do not have the upper-body strength to self-propel a manual wheelchair or safely maneuver a scooter. Other key factors are the mental and physical capabilities, along with the willingness and motivation, to operate a power wheelchair.
In either case, if you feel as though you qualify call your physician’s office and ask for a face-to-face mobility evaluation.
Your physician will ask you a series of questions to determine if a custom wheelchair is medically necessary. You will want to discuss why your current mobility aids such as a cane, walker, or existing wheelchair are no longer meeting your medical needs.
Also explain any mobility limitations that are preventing you from performing Mobility Related Activities of Daily Living (MRADL). If your physician approves of your medical necessity, we will work with your physician’s office to obtain the prescription.
Yes, working with a therapist is a critical part of the process. Therapists are invaluable partners, providing clinical expertise to help determine the most appropriate equipment for your needs as well as advocating for your medical necessity with your insurance company.
At Aspire Mobility, we deeply value the role of therapists and work closely with them throughout the process. If you need help finding a therapist, we’re happy to help!
Your evaluation will take place at your residence or place of care and be attended by your Physical Therapist (PT) or Occupational Therapist (OT) along with an Aspire Mobility Assistive Technology Professional (ATP). It is meant to be a collaborative process with the end goal being a custom mobility solution tailored to your needs.
To prepare, bring any current mobility aids you’re using, whether it’s a cane, walker, or existing wheelchair. We also recommend wearing comfortable clothing, as you may be asked to try out equipment or demonstrate movements, if possible.
We also encourage your primary caregiver to be present at the evaluation. Their firsthand insights and observations are invaluable in helping us design a solution that reflects your day-to-day routine.
Above all, we want to hear from you. Your input is the cornerstone of this process. While we’ll provide expert guidance on structurally sound specifications and measurements, we know that none of this matters if you don’t feel comfortable and fully adaptable in your equipment. After all, it’s you who will be spending the most time with your wheelchair so we value your input above all else.
Please allow for up to 2 hours.
80% is covered by your primary insurance carrier. The remaining 20% is patient responsibility unless you have secondary insurance, which typically covers the remainder.
In any scenario, Aspire Mobility will fight to make sure you receive the maximum amount of coverage that your insurance plan offers.
We accept Medicare, Medicaid, and most other private insurances. In order to find out your specific coverage for services and equipment, we will need to gather your insurance information so that we can submit an inquiry. Please give our office a call for more information.
Our most up-to-date list of insurances accepted can also be found on our Providers & Vendors page.
Securing funding in this scenario largely depends on your situation. Most insurance companies deem the reasonable lifetime of a custom wheelchair to be a minimum of 5 years. Below is the common criteria insurance companies will use to determine your eligibility:
- Your current wheelchair is older than five years and is beyond repair.
- You are transitioning from a manual to a power wheelchair and you have record of a medical evaluation confirming the lack of upper extremity strength to self-propel a manual wheelchair.
- You have exceeded the current weight capacity of your wheelchair.
- You have experienced a change in medical condition.
- Your wheelchair was stolen or destroyed and you have a police report confirming you are not at fault.
A wide variety of customizable options are available, from frames, wheel types, accessories, and even color choices. Seating and positioning configurations, in particular, are highly customizable to ensure you can remain as comfortable and supported as possible while using your wheelchair.
From evaluation to delivery, on average:
- Custom Manual Wheelchairs: 4-6 weeks
- Custom Power Wheelchairs: 6-8 weeks
We understand your wheelchair is critical to your daily function and we work to expedite the process as much as possible without compromising quality.
We first recommend contacting our office or filling out our Repairs form to understand the nature of your problems.
Contacting us first helps determine whether your repairs require a physician’s proof of medical necessity. If so, this gives us a head start on working with your physician and insurance company to secure funding and approval.
Medicare and most private insurances require a physician’s proof of medical necessity to cover the cost of repairs.
Yes, all of our equipment is covered by a manufacturer’s warranty which we will apply to cover the cost of repairs.
Yes, we will continue to provide service and repairs for the lifetime of your equipment and work with your insurance company to authorize repairs.