How can I get an all-terrain wheelchair for my child?

When seeking any type of durable medical equipment (DME) such as a wheelchair, your first resource is your health plan, whether that is private insurance or Medi-Cal (or both).

If your insurance denies coverage for an all-terrain wheelchair because you cannot demonstrate medical necessity, there are still options for getting it funded.

If your child is a Regional Center client, you can request funding by presenting denials from your insurance. Your child's IPP should also support the request. For example, you can state that your child needs an all-terrain wheelchair to maintain access to their preferred social-recreational activities, such as hiking or beach activities.

This type of request may be easier if your child is in Regional Center's Self-Determination Program, which is more flexible. You can ask for the wheelchair in your child's spending plan. Your child's person-centered plan (PCP) should state that your child wants to do activities requiring the use of an all-terrain wheelchair. You can update the PCP as needed, so amend the plan and submit it to the Regional Center with the things that have changed. It's recommended that you work with your Independent Facilitator.

Note that Undivided members can also ask their Navigator for Undivided's list of adaptive/all-terrain strollers with potential funding sources.