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Heavy Duty Power Wheelchair

Heavy Duty Power Wheelchair

When To Order:

  • A power wheelchair should be considered for a individual who requires a wheelchair, but does not have the endurance to self-propel the wheelchair to accomplish daily activities.
  • Heavy Duty Power Wheelchair are appropriate for individuals over 300 lbs.
  • The individual has a neurological condition that makes it difficult to propel a manual wheelchair, but the individual is able to safely operate a power wheelchair.
  • The individual has limited endurance and is unable to propel a manual wheelchair to engage in activities of daily living.
  • The individuals weight makes it difficult for the individual or a caregiver to propel in a manual wheelchair.

Medical Documentation:

The clinical care team needs to document in the individual’s medical record the following:

  • The individual has a mobility limitation that impairs performance of mobility related activities of daily living (MRADL).
  • The individual has impaired upper extremity strength.
  • The individual has not expressed an unwillingness to use the power wheelchair.
  • The individual cannot use a cane, walker or manual wheelchair to resolve the mobility limitation.
  • The individual can not use a POV.
  • The individual can safely use the power wheelchair in the home to accomplish their activities of daily living (ADL).
  • The individual’s weight is over 300 lbs.
  • The individual’s provider (MD, DO, NP or PA) must complete a written order.  Power wheelchairs require prior authorization from insurance.

Selecting Equipment:

The following considerations impact the selection of equipment:

  • Power wheelchairs come in standard and heavy-duty models.
  • Heavy duty power wheelchairs are appropriate for individuals weighing over 300lbs.
  • Power wheelchairs come in 22 inch seat widths.
  • The overall width of the power wheel chair is 28.
  • Power wheelchairs have captain seats and some individuals may be unable to transfer into the captains’ seat due to the higher seat to floor height.
  • Wheelchairs need to provide the individual access to different parts of the home, such as the bathroom and kitchen. Measure the doors to determine the size of the wheelchair that will fit through the door.
  • Power wheelchairs have a larger turning radius and the individual may have difficulty using it in the home.