If It Sounds Too Good To Be True...

Article submitted by Southern Medical Product.
For more information, they can be reached at 205-664-3824 or 888-458-3553.

How many times have we watched or listened to a TV or radio commercial, read a newspaper advertisement or talked with a sales rep that came to our home about a product we're interested in and then purchased it immediately by writing a check or calling an 800 number with our credit card ready? Have you ever regretted the purchase? Impulse buying can get the best of all of us especially if we feel we "really need" the product being advertised.

With most products it's alright to purchase over the internet or buy phone. But when purchasing medical products, like power wheelchairs, scooters, lifts, or other medical appliances, it can be very costly to you both in dollars and in time. The TV commercials or newspaper ads look very appealing and make claims about product that are often exaggerated. "We will file your Medicare for you and guarantee that Medicare will pay for your scooter," or "We offer a 5 year warranty with your purchase."

What they don't tell you is that Medicare will only approve a scooter for a specific type of patient with specific medical indications and only if the prescription is from an Orthopedic Surgeon, Neurologist, Rheumatologist or Physical Medicine Specialist. The number one goal; of these companies promise good warranties and service, but it would be difficult for them to service your product if they are based in California and you are in Alabama and they do not have service reps or a local store in the area.

A good example is a patient of ours who purchased a lift for their van so that they can get their power chair in the van and be able to drive to the places they want to go. They paid $20,000+ for this lift. It worked one week and has not functioned since. The company is based in another state, they have no service reps and no one in this town knows how to work on the lift to repair it, let alone get parts. This happened 1 1/2 years ago and our patient had to retain a legal firm to get satisfaction, which may take another couple of years. In the meantime, she is unable to use her van and is confirmed to her home for the most part and is out $20,000.

Caution and knowledge can help you obtain the product you need, in the ri8ght way. Stop by several Home Medical Equipment stores in your city and learn about the product, the warranties, service, if you qualify for the product and if you're insurance coverage will pay for the product.