Jim,
I am 100% service connected with a left bk prosthesis. I also have a power chair issued by the VA Prosthetics and orthotics dept. When I made my last visit there I found out that a company called A to Z has the new contract for DME delivery, putting together wheelchairs and power chairs.
Having a suspicious nature I checked a little further and discovered a few facts, whether true or not I feel that I should let you know and you can investigate if you think it is warranted. The contract was let and only one company bid on it- A to Z. Also no other company was advised that a new contract was available to bid on.
Hopefully this is not the case but stranger things have happened in the past. That is the Nashville and York VA’s.
Thank you
Reply:
I'm not surprised. I worked in health care for 35 years and saw how we bid contracts for everything from striping the parking lot to my specialty, cardiac cath labs and x-ray equipment.
Often enough there are honest relationships and insider knowledge that makes this sort of thing legit. I can recall going in as a consultant to medical centers and sinking the old vendors with my new choices. I did it because I had inside knowledge of what the guy I liked was bringing in the next year or two. Or it may have been I had word that the usual vendor may be having some problems.
If there isn't some drastic reduction is services provided to you, if I were you I'd watch closely but not react right now. If the new vendor fails you...then is the time to get concerned.