February 2009 Archives

Do your homework. Not all stairlifts are the same, in terms of quality, cost and functionality. With some investigation and by getting answers to some specific questions. you should be able to determine which stair lift best suits your specific requirements.

Some key questions are:

1. Who are you considering for the installation? Do they employ there own installers, or do they use subcontractors? Are they factory trained? Are they insured? How long have they been in business, and do they have references?
2. Research the different manufacturers. There are about six or seven reputable manufacturers. Do you know the difference. Why is one so much cheaper than another? What are the warranties, and what is and isn't included in the warranty?
3. How long will you be needing the stairlift? If it for less than six months, then rental is a viable option. Can the suppliers your talking to provide rentals?
4. Considering installing a lift yourself? Understand the benefits and pitfalls.
5. After you've come to a decision you'll need to schedule the stair lift installation. Make sure that you've left an extra 1/2 hour in the schedule for instruction and training

COST:
In today's economic environment cost is always a key question. So...how much should you expect to pay for a stairlift to be installed? Here are some guidelines:

New Straight Stairlift:
Delivered, but not including installation
- Costs between $2000 and $2800.

Delivered and installed
- Costs between $3000 and $5000.

Reconditioned Straight Stairlift

Delivered, but not including installation
- Costs between $1500 and $2000.

Delivered and installed
- Costs between $2000 and $2800.

New Curved Stairlift

Delivered and installed
- Costs between $9500 and $15,000. 

COMMON STAIRLIFT FEATURES:
Here is a list of stair lift features - and what they mean to you, the user. Some of these features (highlighted with the word essential!) I consider to be essential safety features. Review the list and check that the stair lifts on your 'shopping list' give you these features and benefits. You can see some of these feature up close at our STAIRLIFT GALLERY.
 

DC (Battery) operation

Smooth, quiet, works during a power outage, and present no risk from electric shock.

Direct Drive Rack & Pinion

Motor/gearbox directly attached to drive mechanism - no separate gearbox, belts or pulleys - reliability, smooth ride.

Folding Seat & Footrest

Minimises the space taken by the stair lift when not in use. Ideal when there are other users of the staircase.

Overspeed Governor essential

Prevents uncontrolled descent - no stair lift should be without one. It is a mandatory component in most countries - though strangely not in the US.

Soft Start - Soft Stop

No sudden, jarring starts and stops. Make sure it's an electronically controlled system. Mechanical soft starts don't work very well.

Locking Swivel Seat essential

Ensures safe mount/dismount of stair lift at top of stairs. Stair lift seat pivots and locks in position, so user can step directly off on to landing.

Infra Red Remote Control

Allows stair lift to be summoned remotely. Steer clear of Radio Frequency remotes, which are susceptible to outside interference.

Locking Key Switch essential

Disables the stair lift to prevent tampering or unauthorized use.

On-Board Diagnostics

Not a gimmick - constantly displays stair lift status, by a system of lights or a digital display. The system allows the user and relevant tech personnel to determine the stair lifts operation and safety status.
 

Standing Option

This feature allows users who cannot bend their knees to use a stair lift. Also works well on very narrow staircases.

Safety Surfaces

Stops the stair lift if it collides with any obstruction on the stairway.

'Flip-Up' Rail

The lower section of the rail folds upwards and out of the way, in situations where the foot of the rail might otherwise cause an obstruction or tripping hazard.

Home Evaluation:
Once you've decided to move forward, you should have several reputable dealers come to your home and provide a quote. There should never be a charge for this. At that time they can determine the specifics of your situation, and make a recommendation based on your specific need. Virtually every staircase is going to be different so a stair lift has to be 'built' to fit each home. For a straight stair lift the measurements that have to be made and the considerations taken into account are simple and easy.

It's February, the time of the year when you end up getting those unexpected bills for medical services you've received since the beginning of the New Year. What...!!, you say, bills for health care? I thought my insurance covered that!

Most insurance companies, including Medicare, have an annual deductible that must be met before your insurance actually insures you.

What does this mean? What it means that before your insurance will start paying for your nebulizer, or doctor's visit, or hospital stay, you have to pay. There are thousands of insurance plans, some have no deductibles ($.0.00), some have low deductibles ($250.00 or less), and some have very high deductibles (>$1,000.00 or more).

On top of that, many plans have co-pays. They pay for part of the bill, and you pay for the rest. Your co-pay usually ranges from 0% to 10% to 20%, depending on your plan. Medicare, for example pays 80% of the claim charges, meaning that you, or your secondary insurance, is responsible for the other 20%.

This can be frustrating, maddening and discouraging--both for you and for us. The only party that seems to be unscathed is the insurance companies. (To add insult to injury, take a look at a sample Explanation Of Benefits--EOB. This is supposed to help you understand your bill better. If you get it, you receive an A)

What do I mean, it can be frustrating for both you and us? Well for you, it means that if you were dispensed a $600.00 wheelchair, or a $200.00 nebulizer, you are going to be responsible for the deductible and the co-pay before the insurance company will pay one dime.

Let's say, for example, your insurance plan has an annual deductible of $100.00 and a co-pay of 20%. If you receive a nebulizer from us, or any other provider, then we're going to bill the insurance company for that. Let's say it is a $200.00 charge that we bill to the insurance company.

Then the insurance company is going to turn around--usually after a longer than necessary wait--and send us a check for $60.00. If we're lucky. Why only $60.00?

1.      Because you had a deductible of $100.00

2.      And you had a co-pay of $40.00 (20% of $200.00)

o        $200 - $100 - $40 = $60.00

So, your insurance plan may be a good one. But it is no good at all until you've paid your part. That's why you get a bill from us for $140.00. The insurance company didn't pay for it. They paid us only $60.00 of the $200.00 cost. And so you get a bill from us.

You're not happy--understandably. You pay hundreds, if not thousands of dollars a month for healthcare coverage.

We're not happy--we have to send you an invoice and then collect a payment from you. It makes "Customer Service" a challenge sometimes. But that's life in the American health care system.