Should a doctor try to examine a patient who uses a wheelchair in his or her chair because they can’t get on the exam table independently?
Generally no. Examining a patient in their wheelchair is usually less thorough than on the table, and does not provide the patient equal medical services. There are several ways to make an exam table more accessible for a person in a wheelchair. A good option is to have a table that adjusts down to the level of a wheelchair, approximately 17-19 inches. What is important is that a person with a disability receives the same kind of services as those services rendered to a person without a disability. If the examination does not require the person to lie down, then the exam table is not important to the medical care and the patient may remain seated. This is only one of the necessities that need to be met by the doctor’s office. Below this article is a link that further explains the details.
Vets with catastrophic disabilities; a reminder about copay exemption under new law: The Caregiver and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010, veterans who are determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to be “catastrophically disabled” qualify for an exemption from inpatient, outpatient and prescription copays. However, they may still be subject to copayments for extended (long-term care) services.
A catastrophically disabled determination may be authorized when a VA clinician determines that there is sufficient medical documentation without the need for further evaluation. Veterans may also request a catastrophically disabled evaluation by contacting the enrollment coordinator at their local VA health-care facility. It is VA policy to provide veterans with catastrophic disabilities an evaluation within 30 days of the request. There is no charge for this examination. Veterans who believe they may qualify for catastrophic disability status are encouraged to apply for enrollment or, if already enrolled, to request an evaluation through their primary care team or their local enrollment coordinator.
VA is also currently
reviewing copayments made by veterans with catastrophic disabilities for inpatient
care, outpatient care, and prescriptions received on or after May 5, 2010, when
the law was signed into effect. VA has indicated that copayment charges will
be cancelled, or if veterans have previously paid, refunds will be issued. For
more information, veterans should contact the enrollment coordinator at their
VA Medical Center: call 1-877-222-VETS (8387); or visit www.va.gov/healtheligibility.
Mike Sprouse
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