Assistive Devices And Their Costs: How to Manage

Assistive Devices And Their Costs: How to Manage

Assistive technology helps people with disabilities in everyday life, including at home, school, and work. Over 2.5 million people use these tools now, and this number could reach 3.5 million by 2050, according to the World Health Organization.

Devices can be expensive. Take accessible cars, for instance. The ones with special features might cost up to $80,000. Paying for these tools often involves a mix of insurance, personal funds, and loans. Sometimes, borrowing equipment is an option. Before jumping into the details, check out betamo.com/de/promotions to see if it piques your interest.

Determine What Exactly You Need

If you know what technology or devices you need, great! If not, ask your doctor for a referral to get an evaluation. Your doctor might need to provide a letter or prescription. Also, talk to your doctor about whether your needs are temporary or permanent.

Assistive tools include a number of options. You have mobility aids, which refer to wheelchairs, stair lifts, walkers, canes, scooters, prosthetics, orthotics. There are also hearing devices, which include hearing aids, cochlear implants, bone-conducting headphones.

Daily living aids include medication dispensers, reachers, adaptive eating utensils, clothing identifiers.

To try devices before buying, check out the Washington Assistive Technology Act Program. Their lending library allows you to borrow over 500 items for 21 days for a small fee, with shipping available anywhere in Washington. The library has devices for mobility, hearing, vision, speech, and daily living, like digital larynxes and self-stabilizing eating utensils.

See If They Match Your Budget

To find affordable assistive technology and devices, compare costs and check with national advocacy groups for tips on where to get them for less. You can also look on Reddit for recommendations from others.

If you have health insurance, start there for help with costs. You will usually need prior authorization and proof of medical necessity. Insurance options that might cover devices include:

  • Employer health care plans
  • Affordable Care Act Marketplace plans
  • Medicare
  • Medicaid
  • Veterans Affairs or Tricare
  • Disability insurance

AHA Insurance can also be a valuable resource for finding suitable insurance plans that may help cover the costs of assistive devices. One BECU employee used their employer health insurance to cover Signia hearing aids, which cost around $3,000 out of pocket. Because the insurance covered the full cost, they could also afford a StreamLine Mic for phone calls and meetings.

Another BECU employee got Medicare to help pay for an electronic pill dispenser for their mother, who has multiple sclerosis. The dispenser, which costs less than paying for human help, programs and drops up to 10 pills a day and alerts if pills are missed.

This employee also bought a $250 sliding shower chair and transfer bench out of pocket, which was cheaper than paying $1,000 monthly for assistance with the shower.

Search For Funding Options

If insurance doesn’t cover the cost of the technology or devices you need, look for other ways to pay. You could borrow an assistive device, get a low-interest loan, use funds from an ABLE plan, or try another method.

Northwest Access Fund provides loans for assistive technology to residents of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho with disabilities. These loans can be used for tools, home and vehicle adaptations, hearing aids, dentures, and related services like evaluations, training, maintenance, and insurance.

Qualified applicants can borrow up to $25,000 for assistive technology and $60,000 for home modifications. Loan terms are from five to 10 years, with a 5% interest rate for most loans and a variable rate for vehicle adaptations. Check current rates if you’re interested.

Credit is checked, but poor credit alone doesn’t disqualify you. NAF considers income, expenses, debts, and resources in their review.

Family members, employers, and other representatives can also apply for loans on behalf of someone with a disability.

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