Funding for repairs is limited to normal wear and tear on equipment purchased through AHP Medical Benefits. Medical equipment must be returned to the original dealer for any repairs during the warranty period. Warranties are often two years from the date of purchase. After the warranty period, requests for repairs should be forwarded to CMEDS. Families or therapists must complete and submit the CMEDS Repair Request Form to CMEDS for the repair request to be conducted. If families or therapists cannot fill in the form, please call or email CMEDS to arrange a repair request. Please ensure that the Repair Request Form is filled out completely and all details are provided, including the child or youth’s date of birth and current address.
The following are examples of repair requests that are not eligible for repair through CMEDS:
Any damage caused by a client or third party is not covered (i.e.: a wheelchair hit by a car, or an item damaged by an airline). The clients must cover the repairs, or secure repairs through other avenues.
Damage caused by misuse (i.e. an item left out in the rain and the power joystick is damaged)
Damage caused by fire or floods should be claimed on homeowners' insurance.
Batteries have a useful lifespan of 3-5 years; one battery or set of batteries change every 2 years is covered through CMEDS for power mobility equipment. If a battery becomes discharged due to lack of charging (ie. powerchair is not used over the summer). CMEDS will not cover the new battery for this reason and the client will be responsible for finding alternative funding.
Lost items are not covered (i.e. missing leg rests) please contact AHP Medical Benefits.
No modifications are covered please contact AHP Medical Benefits.
Please see the CMEDS Repair Request Form that may be completed and sent to CMEDSTech@hmebc.com Note: Form can be filled in electronically (fillable PDF). Requests without the form will not be processed.
For all Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and Interior clients, submit the CMEDS repair request form directly to CMEDS at CMEDSTech@hmebc.com or call (604)762-6784. Please do not use any other dealers in these regions; the repair request must go to HME for these zones to the above email address.
For clients located in Northern BC, please contact National Seating & Mobility Prince George at rehab@pgsurgmed.com.
For clients located in the East Kootenays, please contact Kootenay Columbia Home Medical at info@kchomemedical.ca.
What is an adjustment? What is a modification? What is a repair? What does it mean anyways?
Adjustment:
An adjustment is a non-permanent change to equipment that can be accomplished onsite with basic tools and does not require new parts to complete. Adjustments can be completed at the time of original delivery, or within a reasonable time frame from the original delivery date (i.e. 30 days).
An adjustment can be requested on the CMEDS Repair Request form.
An adjustment can be completed for CMEDS loaned equipment.
New equipment under the manufacturer warranty period, adjustments need to be completed through the original dealer that provided the equipment.
Modification:
A modification is a permanent alteration to equipment that requires new parts on the base product.
Any modification requests made within 14 days of CMEDS equipment delivery will be permissible through CMEDS. Loaned equipment provided through CMEDS may be completed if the parts are available in the recycling pool. If the parts are not available, and/or it is past 14 days, please contact AHP Medical Benefits.
CMEDS has a limited stock of recycled parts from equipment that has been written off. CMEDS does not purchase parts for modifications; therefore, if accessories are not available from the loan pool, please contact AHP Medical Benefits.
CMEDS will not remove pieces from fully assembled equipment or systems to adjust or modify a client's equipment.
A modification request must be submitted to AHP Medical Benefits for approval and must include a quote, and a Letter of Justification from the prescribing therapist for the requested components.
A modification may be quoted by any MSA dealer, as it is not handled through the CMEDS program.
Adjustment:
Modification:
Tightening/repositioning a headrest
Changing the width of a chair (if it requires new parts)
Adjusting the angle of a backrest or back canes if the product allows
Requesting waterfall armrests when the wheelchair has full length armrests
Lengthening leg rests
Changing plastic footplates to aluminum angle adjustable footplates
Raising the seat to floor if parts are not required (usually up to 1” of change can be accomplished without parts)
Changing seat to floor if parts are needed (i.e. changing caster and wheel sizes)
Changing the static tilt (dump) on the wheelchair
Changing casters/wheels from solid polyurethane to air inserts
Changing center of gravity (if applicable to chair)
Changing the back canes on a chair (taller or shorter)
Repair
Typically, a service request to repair equipment is intended to return the equipment to a usable and safe condition.
Repairs result from general use of equipment, such as tune ups.
Repairs are completed through CMEDS.
Loss or damage (caused by misuse) are not eligible for repair through CMEDS.
Does not include replacing a lost anti tipper or wheel lock extension.
