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Wheelchair lifts are used for the transportation of wheelchairs. Automobiles equipped with automatic lifts are convenient because they remove uncomfortable chair transfer and the difficulties of loading and unloading a wheelchair.

There are two types of wheelchair lifts. The first is the platform wheelchair lift. There are both solid and folding wheelchair lifts that can be subcategorized into automatic and semi-automatic types. An automatic wheelchair lift will fold, unfold, lower and rise by operating a single switch. A semi-automatic wheelchair lift requires manual folding and unfolding of the platform.

The second type of wheelchair lifts is the rotary wheelchair lift. The rotary wheelchair lift sometimes called a “swing” lift, allows the wheelchair to be moved by swinging it inside, outside, and up and down. The rotary wheelchair lift normally is used in vans and mini-vans. Compatibility can be an issue when adding these types of wheelchair lifts to an automobile. Choosing the type of operation such as electric or hydraulic will also vary depending on your location. Extreme climates and temperatures may also determine the type of wheelchair lift you need.

If you are interested in learning how a wheelchair lift can assist you in transporting your wheelchair, contact Orbit Medical today.

Because your electric wheelchair is an essential component to living independently, it is important to perform regular service checks on your chair. The most common service issue we see at Orbit Medical comes from wheelchair users not properly maintaining their electric wheelchair batteries.

Typical symptoms consist of poor battery strength and duration. Usually, this points to a problem with either the battery or the charger. Below we have listed some good charging instructions to follow based upon how often you use your electric wheelchair.

• Everyday Use – If you use your electric wheelchair everyday, it is important to charge your batteries every night. The batteries should be charged for a period of 8 to 14 hours.

• Weekly Use – You should always charge your batteries to a full charge before letting it rest. During the week, be sure to regularly check the battery indicator for battery life levels. Once the batteries begin to discharge (or show yellow lights only), charge the batteries back up to full. Batteries should never be left in a discharged state for any extended period of time.

• Important Note: You should never leave your electric wheelchair battery plugged into the charger for over 24 hours because it can cause permanent damage to the battery or it can cause the battery to leak acid

Proper charging habits are the single most important maintenance routine for electric wheelchairs. If the batteries are continually discharged to a low level and not charged correctly, the battery quality will continue to decrease. Typically, a battery should last anywhere from 1 to 2 years with good charging practices.

Contact Orbit Medical to learn how you can get an electric wheelchair for little or no cost to you through your Medicare Insurance.

This article will give you some insight on the Medicare system and explain the system’s Medicare electric wheel chairs . Medicare is our country’s health insurance program for people age 65 or older. People younger than age 65 can qualify for Medicare also if they have a disability, permanent kidney failure, or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Medicare is funded by a portion of payroll taxes paid by workers and employees. It is also partly financed by monthly premiums that are deducted from Social Security checks.

Medicare is split up into four different parts

Part A

Helps cover your inpatient in hospitals, critical access hospitals, and skilled nursing homes (when following a hospital stay). It also helps cover some hospice and home health care.

Part B

Helps pay for doctor’s services and many other medical services and supplies (such as Medicare electric wheel chairs and accessories) that are not covered by hospital insurance.

Part C

This part is called Medicare Advantage (formerly known as Medicare + Choice) and is available in many areas. You must have Part A and Part B to join one of these plans. People who have Medicare Part A and B can choose to receive all of their health care services through one of these provider organizations under Part C.

Part D

Part D provides beneficiaries with assistance paying for prescription drugs. Unlike coverage from Medicare Part A and B, Part D coverage in not provided within the traditional Medicare program. Instead, patients must affirmatively enroll in one of the hundreds of Part D plans that are offered by private insurance companies.

How to get Medicare Electric Wheel Chairs

If you qualify, most insurance companies will pay between 50% and 80% of a set price for Medicare electric wheel chairs . The amount that your insurance pays will depend on the wheelchair you choose from the list of available Medicare electric wheel chairs and on the state in which you live. If you are not sure whether or not your insurance provides such coverage, we can contact your insurance for you to find out.

If you have secondary insurance, they will pay for what your primary insurance does not pay for the cost of Medicare electric wheel chairs.

If you have any questions about Medicare electric wheel chairs, contact an Orbit Medical Mobility Specialist today!

Adaptation - refers to finding other ways to do things to make the most of your abilities. Adapting to being in an electric wheel chair may involve making changes to your environment such as adding ramps and widening doorways.

Assistive Steering Devices - Assistive Steering Devices may vary depending upon the client's needs. They can range from reduced effort steering to compensate for reduced strength, to joystick steering for one-handed control of steering, braking and acceleration, to spinner knobs that allow steering with one hand.

Axle -the part at the center of a wheel; a wheel rotates around an axle with the help of a ball bearing.

Body Mechanics - refers to the study of proper body movement to prevent and correct posture problems, reduce stress and help accomplish a heavy task.

Casters -the two small wheels located at the front or rear of the electric wheel chair that swivel in all directions to contribute to the maneuverability of the wheelchair.

Camber - the off-vertical tilt of the larger electric wheel chair wheels, which increases stability.

Custom - referring to a frame or electric wheel chair built to a customer's specifications.

Dump - the angle between the seat rail and the floor.

Fork - the part that attaches the front wheels, or casters, to the frame of the wheel chair.

Footrests - the place where an electric wheel chair user can rest his or her feet, also sometimes called a foot plate.

Hemi Wheelchair - an electric wheel chair with a low seat-to-floor height that allows for foot propulsion of the wheelchair.

Pnuematic - referring to pneumatic tires; powered by or filled with compressed air.

Posture - the position of the limbs or carriage of the body as a whole; can affect how you feel and your ability to function in your electric wheel chair.

Propel - to move your wheel chair forward; either by hand or by an electric motor.

Push Handle - the handles on the back of wheelchairs that make it easier for an assistant to push the wheelchair from behind.

Push Rims - the rings on the sides of the rear wheels of a wheelchair that are used for hand-propelling

Quick-Release Axle - a push-button, removable axle that allows for easy removal of the rear wheel to transport the wheel chair .

Seat Angle - the angle between the seat rail and the floor.

Seat Height - the distance from the floor to the front or rear of the wheel chair.

Third Party Payers - applies to anyone other than the end-user who pays for the wheelchair. A third party payer could be a private insurance company, Medicare or Medicaid, the Veterans Administration, a charitable organization, or a private payer.

Wheelbase - the distance between the center of the front wheel caster to the center of the rear wheel caster.

Wheelchair Accessible - a building or public place that allows a person in an electric wheel chair easy access to all areas of that particular place.

Wheelie - balancing on the two rear wheels of a manual wheel chair. This skill can be useful when trying to deal with obstacles such as curbs and uneven surfaces. Not recommended on electric wheel chairs.

Contact Orbit Medical if you want to speak to a mobility specialist about getting an electric wheel chair for little or no cost to you!

The Jazzy Select 6 Power Chair provides maximum front stability, combined with the advantages of in-line motor technology for strong acceleration and long-range capability. The Pride Jazzy Select 6 Power Chair offers Active-trac Suspension and 6" front and rear casters for superior performance indoors and out. The Select 6 has a narrow frame, making it easy to get around in tight spaces like hallways and kitchens. The Jazzy Select 6 Power Chair is designed for those whose body weight is less than 300 pounds. An impressive selection of standard convenience features make the Jazzy Select 6 the easiest power chair to use.

Jazzy Select 6 Power Chair Features:

Easy side access batteries

Full-length, flip-up armrests

Solid flat-free tires

Foot platform

Safety belt

Tool-less front panel access to electronics to minimize service time

Electronic generative disc brakes

Free wheel mode

To see if you can qualify for a Jazzy Select 6 Power Chair at little or no cost to you, please fill out this form to talk to an Orbit Medical mobility representative.

The Jazzy Select Traveller from Pride Mobility delivers high performance and maneuverability in a compact, stylish package. The Jazzy Select Traveller is essentially the travel-size version of Pride’s #1 Select Power Chair.

It offers a powerful programmable GC controller and in-line motor technology that enhances torque and efficiency. The Jazzy Select Traveller also comes standard with U-1 batteries that can go further on a charge. The Select Traveller is easily disassembled into managable pieces for storage or car travel.

Some of the other features of the Jazzy Select Traveller include: full-length, flip-up padded armrests, solid flat-free tires, a foot platform and safety belt.

Click Here if you would like to speak to an Orbit Medical Mobility Specialist about how you can get a Jazzy Select Traveller at little or no cost to you!