"I had no idea where I could look for help when an accident totaled our van and left us helpless miles from home. Nor-Cal Mobility rescued us with a rental delivered! We were saved by Nor-Cal!" - Beverly B.
"Workmanship is absolutely outstanding!" - Bud R.
"Greg is our angel -- he is very compassionate, understanding and knows his business. Our family is very grateful! Thank you!" - Cathy M.
"The van was exactly what my wife wanted! Thanks!" - Chester K.
"Thank you for all of your help. I love my new van!" - Deborah F.
"Thank you for everything! We love our new van!" - Gary & Tracy S.
"Terrance was great! This process was frustrating and he was always there to help. Could not have done it without him." - Jerry F.
"Thank you for everything you have done for our boys. We appreciate how fast and easy everything went." - Judy L.
"Extremely courteous and knowledgeable staff. Should I ever need another special needs vehicle, I will, without a doubt, return to Nor-Cal Mobility for my vehicle." - Larry S.
"Alex is the best! He took such great care with Mom, made her feel very special and took lots of time explaining all factors to her and I." - Linda C.
"We had an excellent experience dealing with Al. He was very courteous and knowledgeable. We were very satisfied. Thank you!" - Lylliam D.
"Al was generous and absolutely accomodating. He was kind and patient." - Pacific Institute
"I am very happy with my van. It makes my life so much easier!" - Pam C.
"My buying experience couldn't have been better. Alex is great!" - Ray M.
"Terrance is a great salesman and helped us through all of the confusion. He is great to work with -- very professional and helpful. He gets an A+ from us." - Richard and Nelma B.
"Nor-Cal Mobility makes us feel like family!" - Robert W.
"I'm a very satisfied customer at Nor-Cal Mobility. Good place, good crew!" - Robin W.
"The people at Nor-Cal Mobility are just great to work with!" - Stephen C.
"Al and his staff are great! They are all very knowledgeable and demonstrated great customer service!" - Suzanne Z.
"Courtney was extremely helpful throughout the whole process and was impeccable in his follow-up. Because of his dilligence, I've already been able to recommend Nor-Cal Mobility to two other disabled persons interested in buying a vehicle." - Thomas L.
0
comments
Non-Service-Connect Veterans Can Get Funding
Thursday, August 20, 2009 @ 8:36:00 AM - Written by Nor-Cal Mobility

The circumstances under which VA will provide wheelchair lifts and other automobile adaptive equipment to non-service-connected veterans has been open to interpretation over the years. Unlike the automobile adaptive equipment provided to certain service-connected veterans based on the rating of their specific service-connected disabilities, only limited adaptive equipment considered medical can be given to non-service-connected veterans. 
 
VHA Handbook 1173.4 states, "Certain items, i.e., van lifts, raised doors, raised roofs, air-conditioning, and wheelchair tie-downs for passenger use may be furnished as part of medical services VA is providing under 38 U.S.C. 1701 as a follow-up to VA hospitalization, provided the equipment is medically necessary for the care and treatment of the veteran. Vehicle modifications, such as raised doors or van lifts, may be furnished to eligible veterans who are wheelchair-bound, when necessary to allow such person to enter and exit." This may include air conditioning when necessary for the health and safety of the person, and interior space modifications needed because of the veteran's size or physical condition. Only non-operational equipment is provided. Items such as hand controls, low-effort steering and automatic transmissions that are necessary for operating the vehicle are not provided. Items such as electric door openers will not be provided as veterans transported as passengers will be accompanied by an able-bodied driver. Equipment will be provided for only one vehicle at a time and VA will pay for pre-authorized repairs to the VA-purchased equipment.

The key phrase in the handbook is "as a follow-up to VA hospitalization, provided the equipment is medically necessary for the care and treatment of the veteran." Veterans must be receiving post-hospitalization or medical treatment, at a VA or out-sourced facility, and must be wheelchair users to be eligible. This adaptive equipment is normally granted to qualified veterans in power chairs and scooters. Veterans in manual wheelchairs are considered on a case-by-case basis, based on their disabilities and capability of transporting their chair without the adaptive equipment. In effect, automobile adaptive equipment is an extension of the wheelchair, and it is provided for the purpose of getting wheelchair-using veterans to their medical treatment.

VA policy requires that automotive adaptive equipment is medically necessary, and a doctor's prescription must be present. A VA representative will review the prescription and forward it to the prosthetics department. There, the Major Medical and Special Equipment Committee (MMSEC) will review it to determine if the prescription is supported by medical findings and if the requested items are necessary for treatment or rehabilitation.

This board includes a physician knowledgeable about prosthetics, and other specialists as required. They may consider prescriptions written by VA or private physicians. If they deny the equipment, they will notify the veteran as to why, and include advisement in writing regarding appellate and reconsideration rights.

To apply, or for more information, or to find a VA regional office near you, call 1-800-827-1000.

 

Leave a Comment
Your Name:
Your Email Address:
(will not be shown)
Your Comments:
Enter the code exactly as you see it in the image:
Code Image - Please contact webmaster if you have problems seeing this image code Load New Code