Amen to that idea! Its another area that screams for health insurance reform.
I have a (now 2+ year-old) Invacare Storm TDX3 power chair that developed a
"fault left break" error on start-up. Called my vendor only to be told they
stopped selling and servicing wheelchairs, and there was noone to fill-in for
them. Chair was 9 mos. old, under warranty, but i could not get anyone to
service it because of the absurd Insurance Company restriction that:
NOONE CAN SERVICE A CHAIR UNLESS THEY WERE THE ORIGINAL VENDOR.
AND not only that, but:
THEY WON'T (CAN'T) DO IT NO MATTER HOW MUCH CASH YOU OFFER, EITHER
It is absolutely inconceivable that any other product could ever have such
ridiculous restrictions. And this on something i am 100% dependent on.
So now that chair sits idle gathering dust (i'm not sure what to do with it).
Thank God my 8 year old Quickie 626 still works and the vendor is still in the
business.
At 10:35 AM 10/16/2009, Greg wrote:
>When it comes to wheelchair repairs your trip to Hell is just starting.
>They will never let me just tell them what the problem is, even if its just a
>flat tire (now I only use flat-free tires).
>I either have to go in or have them pick up my chair. If my chair is at all
>usable I go in, otherwise they keep it for 4-8 weeks as they get insurance ok,
>order parts, etc.
>We need some kind of patient rights bill for wheelchair repair shops.
>Have common parts in stock.
>Get insurance oks via phone right away.
>Have loner chairs available.
>WORK WEEKENDS.
>
>Greg
>
>
>----------
>After many months of the recline not working on the chair, I finally found
>someone who could at least come look at it. He spoke Spanish & a few words of
>English. Had to have an interpreter. When i called the shop I told them what
>the flashing lights were saying controller error. He & his wife came.
>Stayed about an hour & all he could say was the circuit breaker wasn't
>worrying. When you request someone who can work on the computer, seems to me
>they should have sent one.
>
>How do you specify the problems & make sure that the correct repairman comes
>to take of all the problem?
>
>
