Funding, Ethics, and Assistive Technology: Should Medical Necessity Be the Criterion by Which Wheeled Mobility Equipment is Justified?
By Canning, Brenda; Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 77-81Publication Date: Summer 2005
Article discusses the term “medical necessity” as applied to wheeled mobility, and focuses on whether insurance companies should focus on this term when justifying the coverage or non-coverage of wheeled mobility devices. The definition of medical necessity varies greatly depending upon funding sources, and can fall into the hands of the individual case reviewer who works for the insurance company itself. This presents problems for clients and prescribing professionals, as case studies are illustrated on how equipment is recommended based on the limitations of individuals’ health insurance companies. The author contends that as more types of equipment become available, prescribing professionals will continue to struggle to recommend equipment that falls under the dynamic category of medical necessity.
Published by: Thomas Land Publishers, Inc. (Website:http://www.thomasland.com)
National Stroke Association (Web Site: http://www.stroke.org )
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number J49859
