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Wheelchair Clinic

SARAH STAUDER, MD

PHYSICAL MEDICINE & REHAB

HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE

ADVOCATE AURORA

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Why a mobility device?

Primary mobility

Safety

Outside

To and from appointments

Getting mail and navigating apartment or facility

Getting to nearby pharmacy, grocery store, etc

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Protocols

  • Insurance will cover a mobility device every 5 years, sooner if medically-indicated
  • Must need to use the device in your home
  • Cannot safely walk more than 50 feet consistently
  • Work with approved vendor
  • Require note from doctor, PT, and vendor to obtain the device

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Insurance-coded devices

Scooter

Manual wheelchair

Power wheelchair

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Manual Wheelchair

  • Self propel (hands, feet) or attendant push
  • Maintain physical activity
  • Can be tiring or not feasible
  • Many different types based on patient size and activity level
    • K1- standard wheelchair
    • K2- features such as hemi height, adjustable height armrests
    • K3- lightweight
    • K4- lightweight, option for tilt, more sizing options
    • K5- ultralightweight

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Scooters

  • 3 wheeled or 4 wheeled
  • Battery powered
  • manufacturer – Pride mobility
  • Can be broken apart and transported in car
  • Can be difficult to transfer onto

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Power wheelchair

  • Many options and customizable features
  • Battery powered
  • Patient-controlled and driven (attendant control options)
  • More agile, better turn radius, easier in smaller spaces
  • Smaller, portable option that can break down, otherwise very heavy and not transportable
  • Joystick or goal post controller, screen with buttons
  • Power tilt, power recline, power seat elevation, power leg elevation, power standing

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Standing power wheelchair

  • Power wheelchair with assisted stand
  • Shin guards and chest guard
  • Allows for offloading skin, cardiovascular benefit, bowel motility, functional ability
  • Difficult to get covered by insurance but possible, sometime patients pay for the standing feature component
  • Manufacturer - Permobile

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Aurora Wheelchair clinic

  • West Allis Memorial
  • St. Luke’s
  • Sinai
  • Grafton
  • Pediatric options

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Other options

  • Amazon
  • Facebook marketplace
  • Ebay
  • Word of mouth, gym
  • Katy’s Kloset

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How?

  • Ask your neurologist or PCP to place a referral to

Physical medicine & rehab, “wheelchair clinic” in the comments

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  • Call 414-649-7708

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Thank you!