Medical standards dictate: End of useful life for any wheelchair, manual or power is five years.
Medical standards are in place to protect patients. Medical laws are in place to protect patients. Yes, both also protect doctors if everything is done properly to protect the patient.
The federal government, state government and nothing else can violate our constitutional rights no matter what. With some exceptions for criminal acts.
Yet, I have discovered a massive loophole or many of them allowing our constitutional rights to be violated by our very government on many levels.
@Permobil #Permobil
I invite Permobil, and all other companies that serve people with disabilities by supplying #DURABLE #MEDICAL #EQUIPMENT #DurableMedicalEquipment #DME #Complex #Rehabilitation #Technology #CRT To post and or link every case study, every personal experience, every possible evidence showing why and how not providing access, and coverage to all possible medical equipment options steps on our rights.
Medicare and Medicaid as are all other medical insurance companies are overseen by the government.
Medicare and Medicaid are the bare minimum that all other medical insurance companies use as the starting point. This means that as far as a standard goes, or a bar being set. Well, those really do not exist today.
Basically, the two options our government directly mamage and operate are limiting and even preventing access and coverage of many options that are available, however are made unavailable due to the overwhelming power thr government weilds. With the loopholes under the mask of medical insurances the government prevents patients from full freedom of choice.
This is not isolated to just DME, it is every possible part of our healthcare.
So when I am told or read a policy that says: I must use my wheelchair until it has failed or as they cleverly word it: Worn Out and unable to be repaired.
In laymen speak: I am stuck as in once my wheelchair is unrepairable or as so stated worn out. I am no longer able to use it in my home.
Medicare also demands I waste tax payers money by them putting through mobility evaluation(s).
If I follow the policy of the insurance my freedom of movement is impeded. Directly by the #federal #government flisting upon me such impossible rules with policies that make it nearly impossible if not impossible for me to then leave my home to go to required appointments with my Dr, with Medicare Dr's and so on.
How exactly am I supposed to do this with a unreparable wheelchair? It would be 100% unusable at that point.
Unfair and unreasonable policies like that violate freedom of pursuing happiness. The word persue means to: (of a person or way) continue or proceed along (a path or route).
I can not even get to the bathroom safely without my wheelchair. Or, the kitchen for food. Or to escape in the event of an emergency.
The policy that DME offer only the basic level is obviously written by people who are book smart only.
For one thing we know of a material that is used in many ways and industries and lasts longer and overall better than other materials that Medicare and our government rather cover. Because it saves a dime today. But, costs 2x to 4x sometimes even much more to maintain this lazy way of doing things.
Titanium - Should be allowed. As should Carbon Fiber along with the preferred options steel and aluminum as wheelchair frame materials.
The unreasonable fear of allowing these would cause everyone to want the so called upgraded materials is am absolute lie. And, 100% based on myths and zero facts.
Evidence in the form of countless medical studies, double blind tests and end users own experiences show that out of 100% of all manual DAILY USE wheelchair users can in fact use K0005 coded wheelchairs is around 90 to 98% can use the aluminum frame option.
However, the very small group who medically need something that the configurations in the K0005 options can not provide, then it must be allowed these people have access to K0008 AND K0009 level frames and all options. Of course based on medical needs.
Something I am very frustrated with is Medicare states I must use my wheelchair until it fails or can't be repaired... So, since the government and thus Medicare make it impossible for me to actually take my TiLite ZRA to any of the DME suppliers in Indianapolis, IN for repairs - exactly who is responsible for my safety and thus well being?
What if I make a mistake and the repair assuming I am able to do so will not fail or ruin the wheelchair? I am by no means an expert at such repairs, do not have training, the proper tools and supplies to insure all repairs are up to the same standards as the manufacturer.
My rights as a patient are being violated and my safety can be at risk. Because the government insists on limiting the health care to the bare bones basics.
My Titanium frame has lasted 13 years with my front fork falling off. Thankfully, I was able to find a company to machine a new set that took over two weeks to get to me.
Payment is made for only one wheelchair at a time. Backup chairs are denied as not reasonable and necessary.
This policy violates my right to acquire safe properly working DME.
Again I ask the basic question:
How do I get around my home when the only wheelchair I own fails and can't be repaired any longer?
Of course this is not your problem is it? Nope. Just us Americans who can't afford buying what we actuslly need and depend on our government run medical insurance to help us acquire.
I say that for materials that are known to outlast steel and aluminum are given appropriate end of useful life terms. And, to set a maximum time no matter if a device can or can not be repaired and used.
Otherwise, the government is forcing its citizens to put themselves in needless danger. Also causing more medical expenses when injuries, accidents happen. Everything from minor bumps and bruises to broken bones, and even further disability from new injuries, up to and including death.
Along the way we would be transported via ambulance, may require time overnight in a hospital, may have to undergo PT, OT, and other forms of therapy to recover nerve damage or other functions.
We could end up needing surgery or several to try to resolve new issues. Issues our government caused us by making such unrealistic policies.
The idea of allowing more advanced options would cost far, far less in the long run.
Titanium has a proven track record. So how about 10 years for expected end of useful life. 13 years as maximum life regardless of usability of the wheelchair.
This would be for the safety of the government's citizens that depend upon that government to use common sense and realistic policies to provide the best proper DME.
THIS SHOULD BE FOR ALL ASPECTS OF MEDICAL COVERAGE. Not just DME.
The current system doesn't just violate one constitutional right. But the combined effect of unrealistic policies ends up violating several.
@HHS
I would love to help improve current policies to reflect something that should have been all along.
The way we can change things is to contact the HHS and point out how today's policy violates our constitutional rights. If we don't, then things will get worse.
