Wheelchair Q.

[Bobbi]

After a number of months of asking questions - and getting some great ideas from folks - and searching, I've finally found the new lightweight chair I want. My physician Rx'd it - as she did my first chair - and scooter.


Here's my question...

If, for some reason, my insurance determines that it doesn't want to cover it - or a majority of its cost: I will be able to write-off/itemize the difference (between covered amt. and out-of-pocket expenses), right? (I mean, as long as I'm also within the criterion for writing off med. expenses anyway.)


The idea my doctor had, in mind, is pretty much what I had in mind when she Rx'd the chair(s): Increased independence. With the weight of my current chair, even when it's broken down, it's too heavy for me to manage by myself - so I'm still reliant on the kindness of others and dependent on their schedules. I want autonomy :D

[Pharmacist.steve]

If your current chair is less than five yrs old ... the insurance company will probably not want to replace it. Medical expense deduction is only for that amount that exceed 7.5% of your income .. unless you have a FSA ( Flexible Spending Acct). If you have the ability to do a FSA with your employer ... and insurance will not cover the chair .. you might want to wait until first of the year and max out the FSA contribution to maximize the tax deductible amount.

[Bobbi]

Wow! Thank you very much, Steve :D. Your three sentences conveyed a ton of info. I hadn't known :).

I'll find out about FSA today (by reading all the paperwork from new job) or tomorrow morning from HR.

My current chair is one month shy of its 3-year anniversary. I am with the same insurance provider but under a new policy - that came with the new job. The policy took effect first week of March. Since there is no transfer - from the prior policy to the current one - the current policy hasn't invested in any DME for me within 5 years :).