TAC equipment hire
As part of the TAC’s responsibility to pay for medical and like expenses, they can in some circumstances pay for medical equipment or other equipment (such as exercise equipment) used to assist in your recovery from an injury.
An example of this would be for a very seriously injured person who was on a life support machine, that TAC would fund the cost of the machine on behalf of the client.
If the equipment is only needed on a temporary basis however, then the TAC may not consider it reasonable to pay for the full expense.
In this case that TAC may consider paying or contributing towards hire of the equipment rather than outright purchase.
As an example, after a surgery an injured person may need crutches or the use of a wheelchair.
In most circumstances the crutches are not going to be required for more than a number of weeks or months after the surgery has occurred, and depending upon the type and cost of the crutch involved, it may make more sense to hire them from a medical equipment store or hospital rather than purchase them outright.
The TAC consider equipment hire as appropriate when short term use only is required.
They define short term use as a 6 to 12 week period.
There will need to be clinical justifications for the use of the equipment and there needs to be a specific recovery outcome.
In general, the reasonable cost of the item is considered to be the recommended retail price.
For the TAC to consider purchase or hire of equipment you would need either a registered medical practitioner or a health professional with the appropriate expertise in the relevant area.
This could be a hand therapist who recommends hand putty, as an example.
Within 90 days of the accident, the TAC can provide the following without pre approval:
- basic rehabilitation and medical items such as bandages and braces
- adapted cleaning equipment
- dressing aids
- continence equipment
- eating and drinking aids
- hand strengthening items
- heat and ice packs that are reusable
- household aids such as bottle and jar openers or reaching aids
- non customizable orthosis
- support such as braces and splints
- walking and mobility aides.
Specialised equipment will need pre-approval from the TAC
This includes:
- beds
- bikes
- custom toilet shower or commode chairs
- hoists large exercise equipment
- lifting and standing items
- lounge chairs or tilt recliners
- mattresses
- customised orthosis
- powered conversion kits
- pressure cushions
- ramps
- recumbent trikes
- scooters
- shower trolleys
- standing frames tilt tables
- treatment couches
- vocational aids
- wheelchairs.
There is a certain set of criteria that the medical practitioner or health professional must explain and meet before the TAC will approve the request.
This includes an itemised quote, if the equipment is for hire – the duration and expected use of the equipment, the relationship between the equipment and the transport accident injuries and a summary of the patients injuries and equipment needs.
If you have the purchase of equipment refused by the TAC, looking at the option of hiring the equipment may be an appropriate alternative depending upon how long you intend to use the equipment.
If you pay for equipment hire or purchase and want to know how long the TAC may take to pay you, you can read about that here.
We can provide you with no cost assistance in disputing any decision by the TAC to not pay for or not contribute towards the purchase or hire of any equipment (or not make enough of a contribution) that you and your doctors or health professionals think you need for your recovery.
