Transport Wheelchairs VS Standard Manual Wheelchairs • HME Home Health (2024)

FAQs

Transport Wheelchairs VS Standard Manual Wheelchairs • HME Home Health? ›

The biggest differences between manual and transport chairs include: Transport chairs have 4 small tires, while manual chairs have 2 small front tires and 2 larger rear tires. Transport wheelchairs are lighter and narrower for easier navigation between tight spaces. Travel wheelchairs are easier to transport.

A transport chair is a lightweight mobility aid that functions similar to a wheelchair. However, instead of being pushed by the user, it is pushed by a caregiver or other individual. Transport chairs are often used for short distances (like in hospitals) and by occasional/temporary wheelchair users.

A regular wheelchair is much easier to push around on uneven ground, grass, gravel, cobblestones, etc., and also much more comfortable for the user (and pusher). Getting a transport chair up a step or two or over a curb is also much more difficult than with a regular manual wheelchair.

They are often used in hospitals and airports and are ideal for people who don't have the ability to operate a standard wheelchair. However, even if you can push yourself around, a transport wheelchair can still be a great investment.

Whether or not you can use a transport wheelchair by yourself will depend on various personal factors. But with the right equipment, support, and training, many find a new level of independence with their transport chair.

Suited for longer-duration sitting, most wheelchairs are equipped with padded armrests, backrests, and seats for optimum comfort. Transport chairs, however, are travel-friendly; The lightweight and compact design easily folds to fit in a car trunk, making it less bulky than a standard wheelchair.

A self-propelled wheelchair would be preferable for negotiating uneven or difficult surfaces even if the use is only for short distance. A transit wheelchair will be quite difficult or almost impossible for the actual user to move independently in most circ*mstances.

Since transport wheelchairs are best to use to fulfill patients' needs of taking short trips, they are designed significantly lighter, smaller, and more compact for an easy lift to store in cars. Therefore, transport chairs are not hard to push.

The two easiest wheelchair types to push are transport chairs and travel wheelchairs. These wheelchair styles are specifically designed to be pushed by a companion, and both rely on a lightweight frame, simple construction, and narrow seat to make them easier to maneuver while pushing.

Lightweight wheelchairs are generally easier to push or self-propel than standard wheelchairs because of their reduced weight and more responsive handling.

Is a transport wheelchair covered by Medicare? ›

For Medicare to cover a power wheelchair or scooter, your doctor must state that you need it because of your medical condition. Medicare won't cover a power wheelchair or scooter that you only need and use outside of the home. Most suppliers who work with Medicare are honest.

Transport Chairs HCPCS Code range E1037-E1039.

Transport chairs come in 3 Sizes: Narrow – a 17” wide seat – for users under 120 lbs. Medium – a 19” wide seat – for users between 120 and 300 lbs. Wide – a 22” wide seat or wider – for users over 300 lbs.

If you can still walk with a rollator or walker but cannot walk long distances or tire easily while walking, a transport chair could be beneficial. Because transport chairs cannot be self-propelled, they are usually not the best option for those who always need full-body support and may not have someone to propel them.

Yes. You may bring your assistive device with you on an airplane and stow it in the passenger compartment in the following locations: In an overhead compartment; Under the seat in front of you; or.

Yes, electric wheelchairs can go on grass if the terrain is not too rough or steep. However, it is important to note that grass can be difficult to navigate for some electric wheelchair users due to the uneven and soft surface. For this reason, it is recommended to choose a smooth and even surface whenever possible.

Does Medicare cover transport wheelchairs? Yes, Medicare coverage will pay for transport wheelchairs under DME. You must have a doctor's prescription to be eligible for insurance coverage on your electric wheelchair.

A Caregiver's Best Friend

The four caster-style wheels maneuver as smoothly as a standard wheelchair, but the big bonus is the transport chair's flexibilit for vehicle travel. Cars and wheelchair accessible vans have a harmonious relationship with transport wheelchairs.

Standard wheelchairs typically range from 32 to 38 pounds where as a comparable transport chair will be 10 or more pounds lighter than that. This weight difference allows for easy movement of the transport chairs when they are not in use. A great example is the Medline's Ultralight Transport Chair.