medical stroller help/Question

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone,

I have been looking at websites that you all shared

regarding medical strollers. I finally decided it is time to buckle down and

get Leanna a medical stroller. She can walk normally, but not long distance.She

can walk about half a block and then she is DONE and exhausted. For now, we

have a jogging stroller, but she is getting too big for it. Today I spoke to

her doctor and he will write the prescription. I need your input on how to go

about getting a “good” one for her, not just what the insurance

company wants to shove on me. The convaid cruiser looks awesome, but I have no

idea how to get it covered.

I have blue cross CA care insurance/ HMO. This means that

I need an authorization from my HMO (I am sure I will get) and then they will

send me to specific places they contract with. Since I have never ever needed

any medical equipment thus far, I have no idea how easy will it be or will I

have to fight for the “right” stroller for her. First, the doctor

wrote a prescription for a wheelchair. I have already told them to change it to

a medical stroller. For obvious reasons, leanna does not need a wheelchair yet.

I want to make her life appear as “normal for as long as I can. I am also

aware that insurance co. do not care about any specific needs, only to provide

you with the cheapest way out for them.

Please , any advice from any of you that have gone through

this process is appreciated.I hope it will be a simple ordeal, but I do not

expect it to be.

If any of you have my specific insurance, how did you go

about finding the right stroller?

Thanks a lot,

Suhad Haddad -- Mom to Samya (Died 12-10-02 of Leigh's Synd.) &

Leanna with same disease.

Samya's Memorial Site: www.samyahaddad.com/.org/.net

Email:

Suhad1970@...

Alt Email:

Suhad@...

AiM Chat: Suhad1970

[Guest guest]

I would really recommend getting a PT eval for the stroller/wheelchair.

They will be able to help you select whatever is best for Leanna's needs.

One thing to consider, is that most insurance companies will only buy

a new stroller OR wheelchair once very 5 years. That is an issue

the PT can probably help with. I have heard pros and cons for a wheelchair

over that issue. For us, we will probably still go with a stroller

for our son. He will probably be 6yo before we can get it.

Some people say that for kids over 5, you should have a wheelchair,

because strollers are for "babies."

Others say that for a child who is walking a good part of the time,

it is better to have a stroller, even if they are older. It seems

more natural to see someone hopping in and out of a stroller, than a wheelchair.

I've heard that strollers are generally lighter and easier to fit into

a trunk. Wheelchairs have other advantages though - such as the better

padding that Darla mentioned. My son's PT said that when a child

starts spending significant amounts of time in a mobility device, a wheelchair

is better than a stroller because it provides more and better support.

Also, the PT can write the letter that really highlights Leanna's needs,

in a way that will work with the insurance company. They know which

things to say, and how to say them.

Lynne

suhad1970@... wrote:

First, the doctor

wrote a prescription for a wheelchair. I have already told them to change

it to a medical stroller. For obvious reasons, leanna does not need a wheelchair

yet. I want to make her life appear as “normal for as long as I can.

[Guest guest]

Hi~We got Madison the Convaid Scout and I highly recommend that one

instead of the cruiser. The all terrrian wheels are so easy on

gravel, sand etc. and the hand brakes are great when you are going

down hills,etc. My neighbor has the cruiser and she is frustrated

that she did not get the scout. With my insurance(military) I had

to call medical supply stores and find out if they delt w/ my

insurance. Once I found one I gave them the prescription and then

they did the rest handling the approval codes, etc. It took about 6

weeks but well worth the wait for a $2000 stroller. We went to a

Toby concert last night and used the stroller and the brakes

and wheels are a must have for us! The stroller is also a pink

mauve color that Madison loves. Good luck w/ the insurance. If you

find a big medical supply store that has dealt w/ your insurance then

they will know what to do. Let me know how it goes! Take care~Kim

p.s. I also got her therapists and genetic dr to write a letter

stating why the stroller is needed.

> Hello everyone,

>

> I have been looking at websites that you all shared regarding

medical

> strollers. I finally decided it is time to buckle down and get

Leanna a

> medical stroller. She can walk normally, but not long distance.She

can walk

> about half a block and then she is DONE and exhausted. For now, we

have a

> jogging stroller, but she is getting too big for it. Today I spoke

to her

> doctor and he will write the prescription. I need your input on how

to go

> about getting a " good " one for her, not just what the insurance

company

> wants to shove on me. The convaid cruiser looks awesome, but I have

no idea

> how to get it covered.

>

> I have blue cross CA care insurance/ HMO. This means that I need

an

> authorization from my HMO (I am sure I will get) and then they will

send me

> to specific places they contract with. Since I have never ever

needed any

> medical equipment thus far, I have no idea how easy will it be or

will I

> have to fight for the " right " stroller for her. First, the doctor

wrote a

> prescription for a wheelchair. I have already told them to change

it to a

> medical stroller. For obvious reasons, leanna does not need a

wheelchair

> yet. I want to make her life appear as " normal for as long as I

can. I am

> also aware that insurance co. do not care about any specific needs,

only to

> provide you with the cheapest way out for them.

>

> Please , any advice from any of you that have gone through this

process is

> appreciated.I hope it will be a simple ordeal, but I do not expect

it to be.

>

>

> If any of you have my specific insurance, how did you go about

finding the

> right stroller?

>

> Thanks a lot,

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Suhad Haddad -- Mom to Samya (Died 12-10-02 of Leigh's Synd.) &

Leanna

> with same disease.

>

> Samya's Memorial Site: www.samyahaddad.com/.org/.net

>

> Email: Suhad1970@s...

>

> Alt Email: Suhad@S...

>

> AiM Chat: Suhad1970

[Guest guest]

I have to agree with Lynn on the issue of having a PT with you when

choosing a wheelchair or at least talking with one to get specifics on

sizing and different accessories for the wheelchair. We were able to have a

PT with us for the actual wheelchair fitting and discussed the " worst case

scenario " to make sure we covered every possible piece we might need in the

next 5-6 years. The purchasing insurance company, medicaid, or waiver

program would much rather spend extra now than be badgered constantly later

needing the extras added. It saves them in the long run financially and it

saves you the hassle to fight for the additions as well as if a sudden need

arises, you would already have the parts rather than have to order them and

try to make due until the parts arrive. Since Asenath can have serious

strokes as a high probability, we opted for a wheelchair that has a nice

head rest, two secure seat belt systems, wedge for securing waist and thigh

areas, foot rest buckles, wedges for sides for more trunk stability, tilt in

space ability, the ability to carry small oxygen cases, etc. Your PT can

help you to know what is the best for your child and it takes a lot of

pressure off yourself because there is soooo much information and choices

available. Even the sizing is so much more difficult than I ever thought it

would be. They measure waist to knees, knees to feet, waist to neck, width

of body, etc. All should be fitted to your child and allow for several

years worth of growth by adjusting the chair as they grow by just changing

certain screw locations. I was glad I had the help.

Darla: mommy to

Asenath (4) Mito, CNS Vasculitis, strokes, migraines, seizures, G-tube,

hypotonicity, disautonomy,SID, dev. delays, asthma, chronic vomiting...

Zipporrah (10 mon.) Mito, strokes, SID, GERD, 100% G-tube fed, asthma, trach

issues, disautonomy, hypo & hypertonicity, migraines, possible seizures,

dumping syndrome...

Luke (16), Leah (14), Rachael (12), Isaac (10), Tirzah (7), Kezia (3), &

Marquis (2) (some with Mito symptoms)

Re: medical stroller help/Question

> I would really recommend getting a PT eval for the stroller/wheelchair.

> They will be able to help you select whatever is best for Leanna's

> needs.

>

> One thing to consider, is that most insurance companies will only buy a

> new stroller OR wheelchair once very 5 years. That is an issue the PT

> can probably help with. I have heard pros and cons for a wheelchair

> over that issue. For us, we will probably still go with a stroller for

> our son. He will probably be 6yo before we can get it.

>

> Some people say that for kids over 5, you should have a wheelchair,

> because strollers are for " babies. "

>

> Others say that for a child who is walking a good part of the time, it

> is better to have a stroller, even if they are older. It seems more

> natural to see someone hopping in and out of a stroller, than a

> wheelchair.

>

> I've heard that strollers are generally lighter and easier to fit into a

> trunk. Wheelchairs have other advantages though - such as the better

> padding that Darla mentioned. My son's PT said that when a child starts

> spending significant amounts of time in a mobility device, a wheelchair

> is better than a stroller because it provides more and better support.

>

> Also, the PT can write the letter that really highlights Leanna's needs,

> in a way that will work with the insurance company. They know which

> things to say, and how to say them.

>

> Lynne

>

> suhad1970@... wrote:

>

> > First, the doctor wrote a prescription for a wheelchair. I have

> > already told them to change it to a medical stroller. For obvious

> > reasons, leanna does not need a wheelchair yet. I want to make her

> > life appear as " normal for as long as I can.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

we too used a PT with us we were set on a medical stroller but our pt talked us into a power chair and I a so glad she did she also got us a tilt and recline seating system that has been a lifesaver is only 4 yrs. and can walk some but the fatigue is just to much she uses her powerchair at school everyday and she can drive it where ever she wants so she is pretty inpependent the only thing i would have changed was to Re: medical stroller help/Question> I would really recommend getting a PT eval for the stroller/wheelchair.> They will be able to help you select whatever is best for Leanna's> needs.>> One thing to consider, is that most insurance companies will only buy a> new stroller OR wheelchair once very 5 years. That is an issue the PT> can probably help with. I have heard pros and cons for a wheelchair> over that issue. For us, we will probably still go with a stroller for> our son. He will probably be 6yo before we can get it.>> Some people say that for kids over 5, you should have a wheelchair,> because strollers are for "babies.">> Others say that for a child who is walking a good part of the time, it> is better to have a stroller, even if they are older. It seems more> natural to see someone hopping in and out of a stroller, than a> wheelchair.>> I've heard that strollers are generally lighter and easier to fit into a> trunk. Wheelchairs have other advantages though - such as the better> padding that Darla mentioned. My son's PT said that when a child starts> spending significant amounts of time in a mobility device, a wheelchair> is better than a stroller because it provides more and better support.>> Also, the PT can write the letter that really highlights Leanna's needs,> in a way that will work with the insurance company. They know which> things to say, and how to say them.>> Lynne>> suhad1970@... wrote:>> > First, the doctor wrote a prescription for a wheelchair. I have> > already told them to change it to a medical stroller. For obvious> > reasons, leanna does not need a wheelchair yet. I want to make her> > life appear as "normal for as long as I can.> >> Please contact mito-owner with any problems or questions. Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com

[Guest guest]

opps she jit the mouse and sent it the only thing i would have changed was to have added the stand feature so she could pull up to the tables and easel easier cyndi Re: medical stroller help/Question> I would really recommend getting a PT eval for the stroller/wheelchair.> They will be able to help you select whatever is best for Leanna's> needs.>> One thing to consider, is that most insurance companies will only buy a> new stroller OR wheelchair once very 5 years. That is an issue the PT> can probably help with. I have heard pros and cons for a wheelchair> over that issue. For us, we will probably still go with a stroller for> our son. He will probably be 6yo before we can get it.>> Some people say that for kids over 5, you should have a wheelchair,> because strollers are for "babies.">> Others say that for a child who is walking a good part of the time, it> is better to have a stroller, even if they are older. It seems more> natural to see someone hopping in and out of a stroller, than a> wheelchair.>> I've heard that strollers are generally lighter and easier to fit into a> trunk. Wheelchairs have other advantages though - such as the better> padding that Darla mentioned. My son's PT said that when a child starts> spending significant amounts of time in a mobility device, a wheelchair> is better than a stroller because it provides more and better support.>> Also, the PT can write the letter that really highlights Leanna's needs,> in a way that will work with the insurance company. They know which> things to say, and how to say them.>> Lynne>> suhad1970@... wrote:>> > First, the doctor wrote a prescription for a wheelchair. I have> > already told them to change it to a medical stroller. For obvious> > reasons, leanna does not need a wheelchair yet. I want to make her> > life appear as "normal for as long as I can.> >> Please contact mito-owner with any problems or questions. Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com