Here's how insurance reimbursement works. Because we want you to get the lowest possible prices and the widest selection of quality products, Living Well Stores does not accept ("bill") Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance. Insurance and in particular, Medicare places huge restrictions and burdens on dealers that often translate to higher prices and more limited selection for healthcare products that customers are purchasing on their own.
Can I buy from you and then get reimbursed?
For things other than power mobility products (we talk about those below) you can certainly try to get reimbursement. Your success will depend on the exact circumstances of your need, whether a doctor wrote a prescription for your required product and whether you file all the appropriate billing paperwork correctly.
Can you supply an invoice that I can submit to insurance?
We will of course, supply you with an invoice showing what you purchased, for how much, when purchased and how it was paid. But often insurance companies and Medicare have special invoice requirements. Because of the complexity, we do not have or supply any other kind of invoice, nor can we complete or sign one you may have located elsewhere.
What about power mobility scooters and insurance?
If you ever watched late-night television, you’ve seen the claim: “Your power chair (or scooter) will be paid in full by Medicare.”
It’s hard to believe those promises go back over ten years ago. In those days rampant fraud cost taxpayers almost a billion dollars a year. Then Medicare (and private insurers too) rewrote the rules. Today, you might still be able to have insurance pay a portion of the cost of your scooter but it’s complicated, time-consuming and just plain unlikely. Additionally, the “Medicare approved” choices are often the least innovative and desirable products available.
Here are typical steps and requirements you might have to go through in order for Medicare or other insurance to pay:
Can I buy from Living Well Stores and then file for reimbursement?
Some scooter purchasers have been told by their insurance company that they could purchase the scooter of their choice and then “file for reimbursement”. If the experiences of hundreds of other customers are any example, the answer is that it’s unlikely you’ll actually get any reimbursement. In most cases, after spending months gathering all the paperwork, filling out forms, submitting documentation and making follow-up phone calls, your claim for reimbursement will be denied.
If you file for or receive insurance reimbursement, you cannot use our extended warranty
There’s one last thing you should know. We are not able to honor an extended warranty claim if you attempt to receive or actually receive reimbursement from an insurance company or Medicare for your power mobility product. So, for instance if your Living Well Stores scooter should need service after the manufacturer’s warranty has ended and when you purchased it, you applied for or received reimbursement with your insurance company or Medicare, you would have to pay for those repairs yourself.
The bottom line
Living Well Stores is committed to the highest ethical business standards and to delivering the best possible shopping experience, the best selection of products and best overall prices.
Have questions about this or any other topic? Write us here
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