Tag: Repairs
ITEM Coalition presses policymakers to address repair issues
February 10, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Forty-one members of the ITEM Coalition are calling on policymakers to address a set of policy recommendations to improve access to timely and consistent manual and power wheelchair repairs and maintenance.
“There is strong support to take steps to solve this problem from all those affected by this problem, including consumers, clinicians, and suppliers,” stated Peter W. Thomas, ITEM Coalition co-coordinator. “In fact, the only resistance to our proposals...
Rehab Medical re-envisions repairs
September 15, 2023Tracy Orzel
INDIANAPOLIS – Rehab Medical’s new Express Service Center is on a mission to turn around wheelchair repairs in five days.
“We want to set the standard for how patients should be serviced,” said Jarrad Rankin, vice president of operations for the company. “I've been in this industry 18 years and the model hasn't changed, but everything else around us is changing and there's a lot of technology out there. So, we're trying to use a combination of...
Repair Authority, Compass Health partner on repairs
May 1, 2023HME News Staff
STRONGSVILLE, Ohio – Repair Authority has been selected by Compass Health Brands as its preferred repair partner for the truAIRE-5 stationary oxygen concentrator. This latest partnership brings the number of factory authorized warranty service center contracts that Repair Authority holds to nine, the most of any other repair company, it says. “We are honored to have been selected by Compass Health Brands as their preferred repair partner,” said Jess Keirn, CEO of Repair Authority....
FullPath increases visibility for repairs
April 15, 2022Liz Beaulieu, Editor
CLEARWATER, Fla. – Steve Young and Daniel Feler have launched FullPath, a software to help small- to medium-sized companies streamline medical device repairs.
Young and Feler, both developers with experience in the medical device market, say their end-to-end, cloud-based software helps these companies manage the process of receiving equipment from customers; performing repairs; completing “burn in,” or running equipment per a manufacturer’s specifications; and packing...
Who should repair equipment?
June 30, 2021Liz Beaulieu, Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine – So-called “Right to Repair” bills in a number of states are raising awareness of the DMERT Group’s certification program for repair technicians.
The bills seek to give consumers the right to purchase parts from manufacturers and repair their own products, providing an important talking point for stakeholders on the role providers and their repair techs play in making sure equipment is working properly and safely.
“The bills so far...
DMERT Group set to launch complex rehab certification
June 22, 2018Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WATERLOO, Iowa - The Durable Medical Equipment Repair and Training Group (DMERT Group) plans to launch a Level 2 certification for repair technicians for complex rehab technology in August.The group, a collaboration between U.S. Rehab, VGM Education and FIOS DME Repair Training, already offers a Level 1 certification for basic DME like canes, crutches, walkers, scooters, standard Group 2 wheelchairs, beds, lift chairs and standard manual wheelchairs.“(Level 2) dives into the individuality of...
VA slow to repair wheelchairs, OIG finds
March 20, 2018HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - The Office of Inspector General has found that veterans waited an average of 69 days for power wheelchair and scooter repairs, more than a month beyond a 30-day timeliness benchmark set by the agency, according to a new report. “These delays occurred because staff and prosthetic service managers at the respective VA medical facilities did not always effectively manage and monitor repair requests,” the OIG stated in a report. “VA medical facility staff, including prosthetic...
U.S. Rehab revamps training program
March 17, 2015HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa - U.S. Rehab, a division of The VGM Group, has revamped its popular Tech Training program to provide a “deeper dive” into repairs for power mobility equipment. The program now has two tracks: online training for newer repair techs; and in-person, advanced training for techs with two or more years of experience. Training will be provided by Richard Fuller of Richard Fuller Consulting; Elizabeth Cole, clinical director of U.S. Rehab; and Permobil, Invacare, Motion Concepts...
Goodwill adds service component
November 3, 2014Leah Hoenen
EWING, N.J. - Goodwill Home Medical, which has been selling power wheelchairs for two years, now services them. Goodwill Home Medical provides a basic check of the wires, battery life and tire treads.The need for affordable power wheelchairs and services is rising as insurance coverage decreases or changes, says Deb Eckenhoff, vice president.“The people we service, these are people who are uninsured, who have high deductibles or are underinsured,” she said.A division of Goodwill...
CMS modifies repair policy
August 26, 2014HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - It appears HME providers will now be able to repair equipment, such as power wheelchairs, without having to find the original medical necessity documentation from the original provider, AAHomecare reports.If Medicare paid for the base equipment initially, medical necessity for the equipment has been established, according to the association's initial reading of new guidance from CMS on the matter.“When reviewing DMEPOS claims for repairs, contractors shall only review for continued...