orbitmedicalelectricwheelchair

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 Pride Legend is a medium to large size, all- purpose, indoor/outdoor scooter. The Pride Legend Scooter delivers a stylish, contemporary design that is loaded with standard features including full front and rear suspension, front headlight and full lighting package, sliding seat, front basket, rearview mirror and an infinitely adjustable tiller.  The Pride Legend Scooter then combines this style and great feature package with smooth and quiet indoor operation as well as the power, range and stability needed for incredible outdoor use - offering you unparalleled overall value and performance . The Pride Legend Scooter is available in both three and four wheel options

Pride Legend Scooter Features:

Enhanced state-of-the-art rear suspension

Increased top speed of up to 5.75 mph

Increased maximum weight capacity of 350 lbs.

Ultra-simple lock-up for quick assembly/disassembly

Advanced new reclining high-back seat with height-adjustable headrest

Easily accessible tie down points (for transport of unoccupied scooter)

Reduced length: 3-Wheel: 45.5"/ 4-Wheel: 47"

Easy access to rear electronics

Tiller-mounted, recessed "marker" headlight

New dual-bulb, adjustable lower headlight for optimal pathway illumination

The Pride Legend Scooter combines the latest style and performance technology at a great value. Standard features of the Pride Legend Scooter include a top speed of up to 5.75 mph, 350 lbs. maximum weight capacity and an easy lockup system for quick disassembly. Plus, the lower dual-bulb headlight offers excellent pathway illumination. The Pride Legend Scooter’s sleek styling and advanced features will have you turning heads every time you turn a corner.

Click Here to speak to an Orbit Medical Mobility Specialist about getting a Pride Legend Scooter for little or no cost to you!