We have agreements with a couple of the local Speech Language Therapy departments from local Universities that assist us with our loan closet equipment.  If a recommendation for a device is made then we can ask them to evaluate and determine which device is the best for our patient.  At that point, a referral to a vendor is made our they utilize one from our loan closet and the University team will assist patient with set up, etc.  Or our staff are trained enough to assist with the basics.

Tara

Holly,

By repairs, do you mean the vendor going out and correcting something the PALS or CALS did wrong in programming?  Then yes, the $500/hour fee is what my families have been quoted. 

If you mean repairs like the mother board being damaged, then the device goes back to the vendor for repair.  I just paid $2500 to fix a device…definitely not in my budget but it had to be fixed.

Thanks everybody for your insight into vendor visits.  I want to carry this conversation forward – for those of you managing AAC loaner closets, can you tell me what your local AAC rep’s involvement is?  Do you expect them to do training and set up on a loaner device?  Do you get this type of service or not?  I would love to hear how others are dealing with this situation.

 

We all seem to be doing something different and I’d like a feel for what others are doing.  If you have a suggestion about overcoming this challenge, I would enjoy hearing about it.

 

 

 

Alisa

 

Alisa Brownlee, ATP

Manager, Assistive Technology Services

ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) Association, National Office and Greater Philadelphia Chapter

 

Office line: 215-631-1877

Business Cell: 610-812-0361

 

Twitter: alsassistivetec

Facebook: Alisa Brownlee ALS

 

From: xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com [mailto:xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com] On Behalf Of Cohen, Holly
Sent: Tuesday, July 7, 2015 8:25 AM
To: xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com
Subject: RE: question abt vendor visits

 

Hi,

 

For a dedicated the device, the vendors have not tried to charge.  Tobii charges a very high fee for support with their surface tablet and eye gaze combo.  To be honest though, I have seen the level of customer support and care significantly decrease with some companies.  It has been very challenging with my pALS that require support.

 

Best,

 

 

Holly A. Cohen, OTR/L, ATP, SCEM

Clinical Specialist  ● Assistive Technology/Driving Rehabilitation

Rusk Rehabilitation

Ambulatory Care Center

240 East 38th Street, Suite# 17-14 ●  New York, NY 10016

e:  xxxxxx@nyumc.org ● p: 212.263.6016 ●  f: 212.263.5166

 

Connect with us online!

www.nyulmc.org/rusk

www.facebook.com/NYULangone

www.twitter.com/nyulmc

www.youtube.com/nyulmc

 

 

 

From: xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com [mailto:xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com] On Behalf Of Antoinette Verdone
Sent: Monday, July 06, 2015 9:46 PM
To: xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com
Subject: Re: question abt vendor visits

 

I do not think this posted properly:

 

We have an awesome Dynavox/Tobii rep, and he does not charge for visits.  He has a passion for ALS and goes above and beyond the call of duty.  But, I think that a rep should provide basic setup and caregiver training regardless.

I think if you are going to sell equipment to people with complex disabilities, this is part of the deal.  Now, I would agree to a paid visit if it was for regular, extended visits.  But, in that case I think this would be better done by a local AT/SLP person.  If you do not have the manpower to support your equipment to a basic degree, you should not sell it to them.  I think that an initial setup with caregiver training should be part of the deal.  

I also think that $500/hr is totally out of line.  I charge $125/hr plus travel for private visits.  $500 is not reasonable in my opinion.  

Sincerely,

 

Antoinette Verdone, MSBME, ATP

Owner, Rehabilitation Engineer

ImproveAbility, LLC

Office: 512-522-1705

Cell: 512-497-6026

Email: xxxxxx@improveability.com

Web: www.improveability.com

Fax: 888-501-1009

Address: 7301 Burnet Rd, Suite 102-265, Austin, TX 78757

 

DARS Provider# 1-274278960-0-000

"One cannot consent to creep when one has the impulse to soar" -- Helen Keller

On Jul 6, 2015, at 6:04 PM, Deborah Bassett <xxxxxx@icloud.com> wrote:

Wow, that's crazy! I bet that's a way to "persuade" clients to use the online trainings. 

All the Best-

Deb

 

 

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 6, 2015, at 1:04 PM, Alisa Brownlee <xxxxxx@alsa-national.org> wrote:

Hello all,

 

I wanted to ask if anyone else is now being charged for an AAC vendor field tech visit.  We have been quoted by two different reps the same price -- $500/hour.  This is for the local AAC vendor to go an either fix/train a person on the device. 

 

Anyone else getting quoted this charge?  Your thoughts???

 

Thanks,

 

Alisa

 

Alisa Brownlee, ATP

Manager, Assistive Technology Services

ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) Association, National Office and Greater Philadelphia Chapter

 

Office line: 215-631-1877

Business Cell: 610-812-0361

 

Twitter: alsassistivetec

Facebook: Alisa Brownlee ALS

 

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