Group 2 vs Group 3 wheelchairs

Blue Cross Blue Shield Wheelchair Appeal

I needed a Group 3 wheelchair because I’m severely disabled with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. My disabilities are numerous including an inability to stand, inability to sit upright, inability to walk, frequent urination, frequent dull body spasms, strong spasticity, tingling on loss of using left arm, less than 40% vision, pressure sores, frequent choking, etc.

My PCP found Century Orthotics & Medical Equipment after exhausting the DME providers listed with Blue Cross Blue Shield. None offered Group 3 wheelchairs. Century Orthotics & Medical Equipment offered a wheelchair if I paid $332.18 (approximately half the deposit). My parents paid by the deposit on February 26th and the wheelchair delivered February 28. I was not evaluated, measured, nor consulted on my needs. The wheelchair was delivered and the employee explained that the wheelchair lacked the size, seat length, leg braces, body braces, gel seating, seat adjustment, lumbar support that I needed. If I needed those options, I could not have the wheelchair. He stayed over 45min telling political stories and questioning why African Americans voted Democrat when Republicans freed slaves. (My family is African American). During these uncomfortable stories, he had me esign documents. I am legally blind in one eye, double and blurry vision in the other. I explained this and trusted the employee to explain the documents. No papers were left, no documents emailed for later review.

All of this absolutely confused me and scared me for the political conversation, lack of paperwork and seemingly inadequate wheelchair were combined. Weeks later, I shared the story with my Occupational Therapist. She was shocked and detailed my options for getting an appropriate wheelchair but Century Orthotics & Medical Equipment refused to accept a return of the wheelchair because it would not refund monies.

I do not use the Group 2 wheelchair provided because it lacks everything I need, deteriorates my physical conditions and I can’t get in the wheelchair without help. This was first experience with any DME provider and I feel defeated, crushed. An appropriate wheelchair would alleviate some pain from pressure sores, hold my legs in position to ease pain of contractures, improve leg circulation and grant access to the refrigerator and other food-based areas of my home.

I need help. Please provide me with an appropriate wheelchair.
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A Group 2 chair is built to climb obstacles up to about 1.5″ and can handle up to 6° of incline; Group 3 chairs can climb obstacles up to about 2″ high and inclines up to 7.5°. Those differences relate directly to the needs of the client population that each power chair targets.