Many patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) commonly require a wheelchair for primary mobility, but every patient presents unique needs that must be conidered to avoid potentially short- or long-term consequences of improper equipment use. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that evaluation and documentation* be in collaboration with a certified assistive technology professional** at the nearest health system or hospital-based outpatient facility or clinic (search here) who can advise on considerations of insurance stipulations, assistive technologies, wheelchair selection, vendor selection, wheelchair fitting, and seating evaluation.

Select condition of medically necessity for patient who:

• has never used a wheelchair but is recently having difficulty with mobility;
• has a manual or power wheelchair and is in need of a new* or different type; and/or
• is very involved medically (i.e. severe postural deformities, pressure sores, on a ventilator, progressive disorder, etc.).

Notes
*In some cases with Medicare, the MD is required to a "Face to Face Evaluation" and documention in a clinic visit done for the purpose of determining need for a mobility device. This documentation should be done in usual form of documentation and not on a letter head provided by a Durable Medical Equipment (DME) provider.

**Some insurance will require an evaluation by a licensed Physical or Occupational Therapist. Search for nearest certified assistive technology professional at the nearest health system or hospital-based outpatient facility or clinic.