Patient With Duct Taped Wheelchair Can't Get Repairs

Patient with Duct Taped Wheelchair

Can't Get Repairs

Fox 4 in Kansas, Mo., recently released a disturbing, but all too familiar story of another Medicare patient's painful struggle with power wheelchair repair. Read the story and watch the video here. Kick start and duct tape are not words that should be associated with a power wheelchair, but that is exactly what Leah Aviel goes through every day. Ms. Aviel's two-year old power wheelchair she relies

on to keep her that active is falling apart.

"If it were a car it would be a lemon," Aviel said with disgust. To get it going, she has to kick off with her foot, like you would a bicycle. She uses duct tape and bungee cords to keep the back from falling down and the arms from falling off.

Most people could just call the store where they bought the wheelchair and ask to have it repaired, but as a former Scooter Store customer, Ms. Aviel doesn't have that option. Experts tell FOX 4 in Kansas, MO, that what Ms. Aviel is dealing with is typical for millions of disabled Americans.

In fact, the American Association for Homecare issued a statement blaming what it describes as a Medicare program burdened with rules that are "confusing and seem illogical." It blames Medicare for so severely limiting the number of companies that can sell and repair Medicare-provided medicalequipment that it has become impossible for many people to find companies willing to help them when repairs are needed.

FOX 4 Problem Solvers called Medicare hoping to find a solution for Ms. Avila. Medicare is now looking into the problem, but points out that Ms. Avila is not eligible for a new chair for at least another two years. Plus, Medicare says she's in violation of Medicare rules by using her wheelchair outside of her home.

FOX 4 is hoping that if anyone has an extra sturdy power wheelchair you'd be willing to donate, you'll give us a call or email us here at Fox 4 Problem Solvers.

"This is a sad example of what so many patients deal with every day," said Jackie Semrad, compliance officer at Reliable Medical Supply, Inc. and chair of the AAHomecare Complex Rehab and Mobility Council. "Until the repair issues are dealt with in a meaningful way by CMS, these problems will continue. AAHomecare will continue to work with CMS in solving these issues for patients."

"This is another in the long list of stories from Medicare beneficiaries, and other wheelchair users showing that the Medicare regulations are keeping people from access to needed repairs,'' said John Letizia, president at Laurel Medical Supplies, Inc. and vice chair of the AAHomecare Board of Directors. "AAHomecare and consumer groups have presented Medicare with reasonable solutions that would improve access to repairs. The recent policy change issued by Medicare is a good, but a small first step."

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