Scooter covered by insurance?

[IheartMickey]

Not sure if this has been asked before but I live near WDW and plan to visit often but I cannot afford the $50 rental fee every time. I do have a valid disability and was wondering if anyone has been able to get their medical insurance to supply a scooter? My only worry is that if I'm able to get one, it won't meet the criteria set by Disney.

[QueenElinor]

Originally Posted by IheartMickey

Not sure if this has been asked before but I live near WDW and plan to visit often but I cannot afford the $50 rental fee every time. I do have a valid disability and was wondering if anyone has been able to get their medical insurance to supply a scooter? My only worry is that if I'm able to get one, it won't meet the criteria set by Disney.

Mine would not cover one since I don't need it all the time. I guess I can understand this since going to Disney isn't an activity of daily living. Although I wish it were!

If you have a medical spending or flex account, you could probably be reimbursed from it, if you get a doctor's note. I use up my flex account every year, so I have never tried that.

[Piper]

My insurance covered mine--but I do have a permanent disability. My doctor determined that I can walk 20 feet maximum. Ane that is a struggle. I do use it every day--multiple times a day.I don't know if insurance would cover one for "recreational use." (what they would consider WDW)

[NOLA_Tink]

Originally Posted by IheartMickey

Not sure if this has been asked before but I live near WDW and plan to visit often but I cannot afford the $50 rental fee every time. I do have a valid disability and was wondering if anyone has been able to get their medical insurance to supply a scooter? My only worry is that if I'm able to get one, it won't meet the criteria set by Disney.

I'm sure you've already thought of this, but since you live close, have you tried bringing your personal scooter with you?

[peemagg]

My insurance did, but it wasn't my health insurance, it was my auto insurance. My disability is related to injuries from an auto accident, so they covered the cost of that and any other durable medical equipment I needed.

[bedogged]

Originally Posted by IheartMickey

Not sure if this has been asked before but I live near WDW and plan to visit often but I cannot afford the $50 rental fee every time. I do have a valid disability and was wondering if anyone has been able to get their medical insurance to supply a scooter? My only worry is that if I'm able to get one, it won't meet the criteria set by Disney.

That can be really a problem. My son-in-law has severe MS and needed a scooter. Most insurance companies will not pay for a scooter or chair that is used OUTSIDE. It has to be something that you need for the inside of your home. My son-in-law has good insurance, but the problem was that the insurance company used a very expensive company to provide the scooter so his deductible was more expensive than just paying for the scooter himself. I found the same exact scooter online for LESS than his deductible. We just bought it ourselves.

Now his condition has progressed and he needs a power chair. He is now on disability and receives Medicare as well as his regular insurance. Even with BOTH insurances, he still had to pay $750.00 out of pocket for his new very expensive chair.

I hope you have better luck, but wanted you to be prepared. FYI you can buy online one of the small scooters that most offsite rental companies offer for about $1,000.00. I am referring to the Pride Go Go Elite Traveler Plus. This is a very good portable scooter that breaks down and fits in just about any car trunk. Largest piece weighs about 40 pounds and the battery lasts all day.

[clm10308]

My mother's insurance company would not cover a scooter, but it did pay for a power chair. This was back before she was old enough for medi??? (I can't remember which one she has)

[kimsuenew]

Mine would/does not. Both trips resulted in an extra several hundred dollar cost due to rentals. I had no choice except to pay oop or else my trip would have consisted of my sitting on the closest bench to the entrance from opening to close. Perhaps you could rent a cheaper manual chair? I could not due to problems using my arm/shoulder on my right side.

[bidnow5]

My insurance wouldn't pay I ended up buying my own used scooter. It cost be $75 and then $250 for the batteries I used it for 4 years till it needed batteries again then I bought another smaller one for $75 at Savers with a good battery.
Depending on how much you weight you can buy light weight scooters new for $600 at some pharmacies

[PrincessPatti]

My mom had the same issue with her insurance. Even with a half foot amputation the insurance would not cover it. (And she has awesome health insurance in all other aspects). So my dad got creative and searched craigslist and other sources until he found one for sale at almost half off and only used once. Needless to say my mom is very excited for Disney World now that she won't have to be pushed in a wheelchair.