You wrote:
I would like to suggest the following:
1) Make sure we have a very clear understanding as to why J&J made this decision as well as get the names of the individuals involved in the final decision.
2) If Medicare's denial was the ultimate deathblow perhaps that's where we should focus our efforts.
3) Once we understand the factors involved I think we should leverage the power of both the media and the Internet to tell the world exactly how life-changing this device is.
3a) Media-Contact anyone that's ever done a story on the IBOT. I'm talking Dateline, 60 Minutes, CNN etc.
3b) I know some of us have used Youtube to show the IBOT off and I think it would be a great place to share our stories and build public support for the continued production of the IBOT.
As far as getting the names of additional IBOT users... perhaps we should start with the IBOT website and the folks that have provided testimonials. I have contact information for three individuals as well as another discussion forum goIBOT.com
Just some thoughts... let me know what you think.
1) I just called customer service. I asked if the main reason for stopping production of the iBOT was because of Medicare's refusal to pay for it. She said, "I can't say that". She then read a script to me and it was quite lengthy. I couldn't write it all down, but if you want to hear it, call 877-794-3125. She did say that the demand for the iBOT has not proven sufficient to obtain a sustainable market. She also said something about "challenging reimbursement". Which to me means that because people can't afford to buy iBOTs and because insurance companies refuse to pay for them, there isn't enough demand. I did not ask for names of who made the final decision.
2) So yes, based on what I wrote above, it sounds like Medicare's denial was the ultimate deathblow. I agree that we need to focus our attention there.
3) Agreed. Have you contacted anyone?
Regarding getting the names of additional iBOT users, the iBOTnow website no longer exists. Oh how I wish I had written down the names of the iBOT owners listed there... especially the lawyer and the people in politics.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Attention Irv!
You wrote:
It seems to me more possible that someone might step in to save the iBOT or a version of it. And maybe that French wheelchair we looked at earlier would be better. Maybe Dean Kamen would be interested in rescuing his invention.
I've heard other people say they think someone will take over the marketing of the iBOT, but who? Obviously J&J wasn't making money from it, so why would anyone else take it on? I HOPE someone does take over and make an even better wheelchair, but since the iBOT has proven to be a failure, I don't see that happening. : (
Regrading Dean Kamen... maybe he will rescue his invention. I do know of an iBOT user who is going to be meeting with Mr. Kamen sometime soon, so I'm very anxious to find out what comes out of that.
It seems to me more possible that someone might step in to save the iBOT or a version of it. And maybe that French wheelchair we looked at earlier would be better. Maybe Dean Kamen would be interested in rescuing his invention.
I've heard other people say they think someone will take over the marketing of the iBOT, but who? Obviously J&J wasn't making money from it, so why would anyone else take it on? I HOPE someone does take over and make an even better wheelchair, but since the iBOT has proven to be a failure, I don't see that happening. : (
Regrading Dean Kamen... maybe he will rescue his invention. I do know of an iBOT user who is going to be meeting with Mr. Kamen sometime soon, so I'm very anxious to find out what comes out of that.
Attention Nancy!
You wrote:
I plan on doing the following:
1) Attaching a sign to the back of my iBot that reads something like leaving the home should not be considered a luxury. I will look up the official Medicare wording in order to make the sign and I plan on having handouts with me explaining how Medicare funds wheelchairs. Since home arrest is considered a punishment for a crime, I don't think that having disabled people confined to their homes should be something that our country supports. Our government did not allow negotiations with pharmaceutical companies when they enacted Medicare part D. Why should medical equipment be any different?
2) Writing all of my elected representatives and explaining to them how important the iBot has been to improving my quality of life. I will also point out Medicare/Medicaid's position that wheelchairs should only be funded if a person needs a wheelchair to get around his or her own home. I am not a very good writer. If anyone out there can compose a letter to this effect, I would appreciate it.
3) Sending a letter similar to the one I write to my elected representatives to all of the local media. I don't think that many people are aware of Medicare's stance on funding wheelchairs.
Nancy, have you found out the official Medicare wording on their guidelines for funding wheelchairs? Are you still planning on making a sign for the back of your bot? I think that and handing out info is an excellent idea. You ARE a good writer! Have you composed anything to send to representatives and the media?
I plan on doing the following:
1) Attaching a sign to the back of my iBot that reads something like leaving the home should not be considered a luxury. I will look up the official Medicare wording in order to make the sign and I plan on having handouts with me explaining how Medicare funds wheelchairs. Since home arrest is considered a punishment for a crime, I don't think that having disabled people confined to their homes should be something that our country supports. Our government did not allow negotiations with pharmaceutical companies when they enacted Medicare part D. Why should medical equipment be any different?
2) Writing all of my elected representatives and explaining to them how important the iBot has been to improving my quality of life. I will also point out Medicare/Medicaid's position that wheelchairs should only be funded if a person needs a wheelchair to get around his or her own home. I am not a very good writer. If anyone out there can compose a letter to this effect, I would appreciate it.
3) Sending a letter similar to the one I write to my elected representatives to all of the local media. I don't think that many people are aware of Medicare's stance on funding wheelchairs.
Nancy, have you found out the official Medicare wording on their guidelines for funding wheelchairs? Are you still planning on making a sign for the back of your bot? I think that and handing out info is an excellent idea. You ARE a good writer! Have you composed anything to send to representatives and the media?
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Sigh
Ah, I'm so frustrated. I've been thinking
about what can be done to save the iBOT and
there is a tornado in my head. I can't
get my thoughts in order.
I really appreciate all the comments people
have left. Please keep me updated if there
is anything you are working on. I'm happy
to follow, but very reluctant to lead.
As for a bunch of botters getting together,
I think that idea is out. Many botters aren't
willing to travel on the airlines with their
bot (including myself) out of fear of the
airlines destroying their chair.
about what can be done to save the iBOT and
there is a tornado in my head. I can't
get my thoughts in order.
I really appreciate all the comments people
have left. Please keep me updated if there
is anything you are working on. I'm happy
to follow, but very reluctant to lead.
As for a bunch of botters getting together,
I think that idea is out. Many botters aren't
willing to travel on the airlines with their
bot (including myself) out of fear of the
airlines destroying their chair.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Thanks
to all for the suggestions. I'm still thinking
about things that can be done. I'd love to get
together with a group of others. Maybe we can
arrange to meet up in Las Vegas or something?
Anyone interested?
about things that can be done. I'd love to get
together with a group of others. Maybe we can
arrange to meet up in Las Vegas or something?
Anyone interested?
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
And another thing...
I believe someone needs to file a class action
suit against Medicare for classifying the iBOT
as a luxury.
They say going outside of our homes is a luxury.
That's discrimination.
suit against Medicare for classifying the iBOT
as a luxury.
They say going outside of our homes is a luxury.
That's discrimination.
What to do about Independence Technology
I'm just a quiet little mouse who is very uneducated
in matters like this, but I cannot sit back and watch
the iBOT die. Suggestions on what I and others can
do is greatly appreciated.
When a friend of mine (not an iBOT user, or even
disabled) found out about IT yesterday, he wrote to
Johnson and Johnson boycotting their products. J &
J is a huge company and IT is a division of J & J.
Obviously IT isn't making money from the bot. Without
enough insurance companies paying for them and at a
cost of $26,000, not enough people are able to get
an iBOT. I don't know how many iBOTs have been sold,
but I'm guessing it's less than 500. Of course this
is not a money making project for J & J. I even
spoke with the rep about this numerous times before
and after I got my iBOT. He said that J & J were in
in for the long haul. They knew it wouldn't be a
money maker for many many years, but they were
committed to it. So what happened?
Like my friend, I will be boycotting J & J products.
I will also do my best to spread the word so that
others will do the same.
I will also write to Dean Kamen. The guy the brilliant,
and obviously proud of the iBOT. I can't believe that
he will sit back and watch the iBOT die.
I've never done anything like this before, but I think
we need to organize some kind of rally. Image 100+ iBOT
users positioned all in the highest setting in balance
gathered outside J & J?
Anyone with me?
in matters like this, but I cannot sit back and watch
the iBOT die. Suggestions on what I and others can
do is greatly appreciated.
When a friend of mine (not an iBOT user, or even
disabled) found out about IT yesterday, he wrote to
Johnson and Johnson boycotting their products. J &
J is a huge company and IT is a division of J & J.
Obviously IT isn't making money from the bot. Without
enough insurance companies paying for them and at a
cost of $26,000, not enough people are able to get
an iBOT. I don't know how many iBOTs have been sold,
but I'm guessing it's less than 500. Of course this
is not a money making project for J & J. I even
spoke with the rep about this numerous times before
and after I got my iBOT. He said that J & J were in
in for the long haul. They knew it wouldn't be a
money maker for many many years, but they were
committed to it. So what happened?
Like my friend, I will be boycotting J & J products.
I will also do my best to spread the word so that
others will do the same.
I will also write to Dean Kamen. The guy the brilliant,
and obviously proud of the iBOT. I can't believe that
he will sit back and watch the iBOT die.
I've never done anything like this before, but I think
we need to organize some kind of rally. Image 100+ iBOT
users positioned all in the highest setting in balance
gathered outside J & J?
Anyone with me?
Nancy, Utah guy, Irv, Scott, others (Pat?).... what can we do?
I've been sick in bed for over a week now, so I'm not
quite myself these days... I would like to say that I'm
not about to sit back and quietly watch the iBOT die. I
do not know what I can do at this point, but I have a
few ideas in my head.
Are you with me? I'd be devastated to give up my bot.
quite myself these days... I would like to say that I'm
not about to sit back and quietly watch the iBOT die. I
do not know what I can do at this point, but I have a
few ideas in my head.
Are you with me? I'd be devastated to give up my bot.
Monday, December 15, 2008
IT will stop selling the iBOT
It's true. Independence Technology has announced they
will no longer sell the iBOT as of January 2009. Support
and service will continue until 2013 however.
The reason for this? Medicare says the iBOT is a luxury.
They won't even pay for a wheelchair that has outdoor
capabilities. They only cover a chair that will get
a person from one place in their house to the other.
What next? Is getting out of bed going to be a luxury?
will no longer sell the iBOT as of January 2009. Support
and service will continue until 2013 however.
The reason for this? Medicare says the iBOT is a luxury.
They won't even pay for a wheelchair that has outdoor
capabilities. They only cover a chair that will get
a person from one place in their house to the other.
What next? Is getting out of bed going to be a luxury?
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Oh no! Please don't let this be true...
I just received a message from "anonymous" asking if I've heard that IT is going out of business. I hope this is not true... though I wouldn't be terribly surprised. Crap. I've googled it but didn't come up with anything. Does anyone know anything about this? I'm very worried.
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