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Bruce...You gotta do your homework .there are all kinds of companies out
there that sell scooters, lifts  and other disability type equipment.....they
come do your home and "fit"  the scooter to you ....and some provide a
trial period before purchase...talk to them about the lift at the same time as
you might get a better price AND you want to make sure your car can handle
either the inside or outside lift (see my problem below) ..and ALL  of the
reps can tell you  what Medicare would pay on their scooters....also ask
them about what Gail said re "one wheel assistive device in a lifetime"....you
can then call Medicare or go to their website.and confirm it and let the rest of
us know what you found out since the rules do change ......you can always tell
them "No, thank you...you'll get back to them as you're still considering
different scooters"....you can  go search on the web  for scooters and
lifts and prices and get    an idea of what you want...use
combinations  of different words in the search  engine box like
"adaptive" "disability" "assistive" "handicapped"  "equipment" "devices"
"new used" ETC.  in search engines like www.alltheweb.com   or www.google.com   or  you can use these
"disability" sites to start with  www.blvd.com/  or www.mobilitydiscount.com   or www.medsell.com     or www.disableddealer.com/  ..there are
several
disabilitity sites that can help you  with new and used
equipment and, also, there's always EBAY....also,


www.scooterdepot.com/lifttoc.shtml  gives
you dollar amounts on new scooters and Medicare payouts ... and to  new and
used scooters....and to handicapped equipment reimbursement when buying a
new car....this site  www.scooterdepot.com  is the home
page.

I hink it has to be a new scooter for Medicare to pay..... you might also
contact the "medical supply" companies in your area (the ones similar to your
local drug store) as they sometimes have used equipment that was returned after
being used by someone who no longer needs it...

I went to Abilities Expo  last year recommended by
Hans and sure learned a lot about what's available ....In my area it's  in
Long Beach CA June 7-9 this year and I  am going again..don't know where
you live but the website is www.abilitiesexpo.com/index.asp  and
you can link on to your part of the country for show dates....and you can
sit in and try out all kinds of scooters/chairs/beds/vans/cars/equipment/etc.
at the show ....last year I found out so much ...for instance, that if you order
or buy at the show, they give a "special show price" which is lower than their
store/company price  ....that GM etc. offer discounts on vehicle disability
equipment (like lifts) if you buy a new vehicle  like I mentioned in the
above website  (it's only $1,000 but every little bit helps), etc.... I even
ordered a pair of "handmade, custom-fit shoes" while at the Expo.... you might
want to take info from each vendor to keep for future reference.


As for my scooter, it's an older model Lark which I believe was bought
out
by Orthokinetic..but the price was right/used and from a friend...65 lbs.
but comes apart  for easier lifting....the base, the seat, the two
batteries (about 15 lbs. each), and the steering column which lightens the
weight and it can be lifted by hand in and out of the (large) trunk of my
car.....I can't lift it but my daughter can ...the lift would be easier....but
my problem is finding a lift for my 1996 Toyota Camry and so far I can't ...your
car needs to be able to accommodate a Class 3 trailer hitch on the back...and
evidently the Camry frame  is "off center" so I think I have to get another
vehicle....butthe scooter can be lifted in and out of the trunk by hand....Let
me know what you finally got...

Joan Hartman

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