TravelScoot in a Motorhome Locker

From Sheron:

 These are miscellaneous pictures of putting my Travel scoot in our motorhome locker. They were taken at Osborne House - Queen Victoria & Prince Albert's private residence on the Isle of Wight .... well worth a visit.

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https://www.facebook.com/groups/ElizabethsTravelScoot

On the Go to the Cat House on the Kings near Fresno, CA

From Stef:

A while back I took my TravelScoot to an indoor/outdoor cat sanctuary, Cat House on the Kings, which is near Fresno, CA. The scooter, especially the luggage basket, was a big hit with the resident felines.

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On the Go to the NC Botanic Gardens

JeanMarie at the twig sculpture at the NC Botanic Gardens

On the Go to the Country Music Festival

From Renee in Australia, who has had her TravelScoot for over 4 years. 

TravelScoot User Group

Hi everyone!  In addition to this blog I've started a Facebook group where you can interact with other TravelScoot users. 

If you're thinking about getting a TravelScoot, feel free to join us too.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ElizabethsTravelScoot/

Happy scooting!

Elizabeth

Medicare and Private Insurance

Hi everyone,

I received an email from Sigrid, who is working on getting a TravelScoot for Lila, and is asking if anyone here dealt with a similar situation involving Medicare and/or private insurance, and if so, what were the results? Below are excerpts from her email. If you have any advice, please post it in the comments or send it to me, elizabeth@ifisher.com, and I'll pass it on. 

Thanks!

Elizabeth

From Sigrid:

First I'd like to thank you for your blog. It's been very helpful as we try to choose a mobility scooter for my housemate (Lila).

We're well aware that Medicare is very strict about paying for a mobility scooter and only does so in very rare instances. We're wondering if her situation might possibly be one of those rare instances. 

Apparently this is the situation with Medicare and insurance companies:

Medicare and most insurance companies will only approve reimbursement of a mobility scooter ( non-travel type) if the individual is unable to operate a manual wheelchair and the scooter is medically required to sustain the individual's daily living within the 4 walls of his/her home. A person who can stand and walk small distances will generally not be approved by Medicare or private insurance for any type of mobility scooter.

We are moving to a retirement facility. Fees at the facility include all meals.  Meals are not optional. Lila is unable to walk the distance to the dining area. While the dining room is technically not within the 4 walls of our apartment, in reality it has to be considered as such as one does have to eat and she needs to be able to get to the dining room :-). It IS one of the activities of daily living.

I know you can't speak for Medicare, or any insurance carrier, but I'm wondering if you're aware of any TravelScoot purchaser who had the same situation Lila will face and was able to get Medicare or their insurance carrier to grant an exception and pay at least something toward the purchase of a TravelScoot?

Hammar Al-600 Lift, a Sienna van, and the TravelScoot

From Abby:

After having so much difficulty with my PriusV wagon (no one would put any kind of lift in it, I couldn't find someone to make an arm lift for it, the dog ramps were too difficult to maneuver with my back and too heavy for me, and I researched every possible solution and couldn't find anything that would work) I contacted Mobility 101 to find if I bought a Toyota Sienna could they put a lift in it for the TravelScoot. They found the lift solution before I purchased the Sienna. The Hammar Al-600 was the lift that had the seat attachment for the TravelScoot. I decided on the platform lift because I wanted the greatest ease in getting the scooter in the car with the least amount of effort on my part. The pictures are of the various stages of the lift and scooter going out of the car. I also am showing you how the straps attach to the plate that is attached beneath the seat. I have a remote to use, as well as an attachment to the lift that also makes the lift work.

Above the red canvas holder I have attached a plastic container that I use to hold items. I used about  2" wide pieces of velcro, which I attached on both sides. It shows up very clearly in the photos.

I also looked into Braun Mobility Vehicles. They take Toyota, Honda and Chrysler minivans, lower the floors and add ramps. The conversions cost about $26,000, so even used ones are very expensive. The advantage is that the ramp is already part of the vehicle and the floor is lowered for easy access. Also, if a person is in a wheelchair they can use their chair instead of the driver's seat. I thought that that route was way overkill for the TravelScoot and decided to get a minivan and put a lift in it. If I ever become more disabled and need a wheelchair, the lift I have could also accommodate one.

My service dog is a 62 pound lab. With his harness on he was having trouble getting in and out of my previous sedan. The Toyota Sienna has ample room for him to easily get in and out of the car. I bought some nice foam dog mats that I put on the floor to make it comfy for him.