Questions and answers
around wheelchairs
What is an aid number?
Medical aids are items that are necessary to ensure the success of a medical treatment, to prevent an impending disability or to compensate for a disability, insofar as they are not to be regarded as general objects of daily use. They are listed in the list of medical aids at the request of the manufacturer and have a medical aid number.
In cases of medical necessity, the reimbursement of medical aids is made by the statutory health insurance funds. The level of reimbursement is governed by corresponding aid contracts with the individual statutory health insurance funds. Medical devices only receive a device number if the functional capability, safety, indication-related requirements and medical benefit have been proven by the manufacturer.
Are the two electric wheelchair models always covered by health insurance?
In principle, the assumption of costs is always a case-by-case decision by the health insurance companies. However, with the aid number and the correct submission, the chances are very good. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Why can I apply for the electric wheelchair as an aid?
An electric wheelchair is a material product and can in principle be prescribed by your doctor at the expense of the health insurance. It is important that the power wheelchair can fulfill the basic needs of daily life. Independent living, basic shopping, visits to the doctor, visits to the authorities and much more are thus possible again. The foldable immer-mobil power wheelchair enables you, as a patient with walking difficulties or an inability to walk, to move around again on paved surfaces, indoors and outdoors, independently and self-determined.
What must be formally fulfilled when applying?
1. prescription/prescription from your doctor
2. cost estimate
3. justification by your physician, or if you prepare the justification yourself, your physician should sign it.
4. overall consideration within the framework of the ICF (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health)
5. specifications of the guidelines for medical aids
6. test report
What documents should be included when submitting to the health insurance company?
- Prescription from doctor
- Cost estimate
- Justification letter
- Test report
We recommend to prepare your individual application together with us.
What criteria must the doctor note in the prescription in any case?
1. Need
2. Sufficiency of supply
3. Appropriateness
Notice. Aids are not budgeted, so they do not burden your physician's budget. Point this out to him/her if such cost concerns are expressed.
What tests and criteria must an electric wheelchair meet to receive an assistive device number?
The GKV-Spitzenverband first checks whether the device qualifies as an aid or nursing aid. In order to receive an aid number, the applicant must provide evidence of the following points:
- the functional capability
- the security
- the fulfillment of the quality requirements
- as well as - as far as necessary - the medical or nursing benefit
to the "grandparents box
What is the "grandparent box"?
The grandparents' box supports those in need of care and their relatives. It provides monthly, free of charge aids for consumption tailored to the need, to facilitate care at home.
Who has a legal right to the grandparent box?
If the following criteria are met, you can apply for free nursing aids for consumption worth up to 40 euros per month in accordance with § 78 Para. 1 in conjunction with § 40 Para. 2 SGB XI:
- There is a recognized care level (1, 2, 3, 4 or 5).
- The person in need of care lives at home, in a shared apartment or in an
assisted living facility and is cared for from there.
- Care at home takes place with the support of private individuals (relatives, neighbors, etc.).
What do I have to do to get the grandparents box for free?
- Feel free to fill out the form directly online via the button apply for großelternbox. You can sign the application digitally right away, so the processing will be accelerated and you will receive your first delivery faster.
- We will be happy to advise you free of charge by phone on 0 800 621 777 2.
After you return the completed form to us, we will forward it to the appropriate care insurance company and, after approval, we will deliver the desired grandparent box to you without delay.
- If you are privately insured, we also require the grandparent box form from you. An application to the private care insurance is not required. After delivery you will receive an invoice from us, which is fully refundable, more about this under point 5.
Am I entitled to care aids despite the care service?
What many people do not know: Relatives are generally entitled to free nursing aids for their care services, even if they care for the person in need of care together with a nursing service that brings its own nursing aids.
I don't have a care degree yet. Can I still apply for the grandparents' box?
As soon as you have applied for a care degree, you can also apply for the grandparent box. This can happen at the same time. You do not have to wait for confirmation from the care insurance fund.
What happens if the insurance company rejects the request for nursing aids for consumption?
If the long-term care insurance fund does not approve the application for the reimbursement of long-term care aids, you will not be sent a grandparent box and no costs will be incurred.
Can I change the grandparent box variants on a monthly basis?
Yes, you can easily do this online by entering your customer number. Please take a look at the following link großelternbox ändern.
We are also happy to accept your change requests by phone or e-mail, stating your contact details and the desired grandparent box variant. This way, you can decide each month which variant you would like to receive in the following month.
I already receive my care aids through another provider. What do I have to do?
It's nice that you are already using your legal entitlement. If you would like to cover this with the großelternbox in the future, please cancel your old provider. For the care insurance companies, we need a so-called service provider change form in order to be able to supply you with the grandelternbox. You can find the change form here. Please apply for the großelternbox either via our online form, where you can indicate that there is a change of provider, or feel free to contact us by e-mail or by phone at 0 800 621 777 2. After we have received the großelternbox form, we will take care of everything else for you.
Do I have to resubmit the application every month?
No. Your application is usually approved by the long-term care insurance fund for an unlimited period. In the case of approval for a limited period, the need for nursing care will be reassessed at the end of the approval period. We will be happy to contact you before the end of the time limit in order to reassess the approval.
In principle, however, the following applies: As long as the person in need of care is cared for at home, the entitlement to care aids worth up to 40 euros per month applies. Most long-term care insurance companies approve the grandparents' box for an indefinite period or for at least one year.
Can I change or cancel my order later?
You can change your order at any time to adjust the products to your needs. However, once the order is shipped, the change will only take effect for the next delivery in the following month. Cancellation is also possible at any time online, by phone or email. Here, too, we must check whether the shipment has already been made and then discuss the further procedure with you in each individual case.