Marvel Wheelchairs

We are pleased to announce that on September 2, 2011, the Pricing, Data Analysis and Coding (PDAC) Contractor notified Marvel Wheelchairs that PDAC had determined the Medicare HCPCS code to use for Marvel Wheelchairs (MV01-50000-00) when billing the four Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DME MACs) is:

K0009 - OTHER MANUAL WHEELCHAIR/BASE

The PDAC determination should also satisfy most reimbursement sources other than Medicare. However, we understand that this is not always the case and in the near future we will provide supporting rationale why Marvel Wheelchairs believes this is the correct code for our wheelchair for all reimbursement sources.

Getting around in the great outdoors could soon become a lot easier for the reported 180,000 Canadians (roughly the combined population of Red Deer and Lethbridge) who rely on a wheelchair for mobility, thanks to an applied research project between SAIT Polytechnic and Marvel Wheelchairs, and funded in part by an Applied Research and Development (ARD) grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

SAIT’s Sports and Wellness Engineering Team is helping the independent Canadian company further develop and test a prototype off-road front caster wheel that will allow users to traverse obstacles up to ¾” high, such as rocks, and travel smoothly over varied terrain. The project builds on the mechanical design of similar rolling products, such as carts and trolleys, but demands innovation to make it applicable to wheelchairs.

“The greatest challenges we face in this project are developing a quick-release mechanism for the accessory and sourcing lightweight but durable materials that will maintain Marvel Wheelchairs’ portability design philosophy,” says Dr. Alex Zahavich, Principal Investigator and Director of the Applied Research and Innovation Services department. “But we welcome the opportunity to get our staff, faculty and students engaged in these new technologies.”

SAIT was awarded $25,000 in project funding from NSERC through the College and Community Innovation Program’s Applied Research and Development grants.

Once developed, the accessory will allow Canadians with a physical disability to have a more active and engaged lifestyle by being able to move more easily along uneven surfaces in parks, golf courses, campgrounds and other natural environments.

The final design will undergo testing designed by the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) to ensure wheelchairs and accessories meet a minimum durability and fatigue standard. The project is expected to be completed late September 2011, after which time Marvel will make the functional prototype available to its customers.

The Marvel Wheelchair is covered under the Ontario (Canada) Ministry of Health and Long Term Care ADP as a Type 4 wheelchair (WMA4M0005). ADP Type 4 prices were just increased as of April 1, 2011. For more information, contact your local Ontario dealer of Marvel Wheelchairs.

Our design firm Hands On Concepts made the local NBC news in San Diego for their innovative efforts in developing a revolutionary monoski. You may also notice our Marvel Wheelchair on test in the lab. You can see it by visiting NBC San Diego.

SPORTS ‘N SPOKES magazine highlighted our innovative product in their Great Gear segment on their web site. For the week of Jan 31 our product will be showcased. You can see it by visiting www.sportsnspokes.com.

Marvel Wheelchairs is proud to announce the selection of Hands On Concepts (www.teamhoc.com) as our product development partner. San Diego based Hands On Concepts is a complete product development firm with proven experience in adaptive and adaptive sports industries. Their creative, out of the box thinking combined with exceptional capabilities in cutting edge fabrication and production techniques, made them the ideal teammate.

Recently, we at Marvel reorganized and strengthened our managerial and financial position. Our new team has proven experience and discipline required to take this great design and produce it in a practical, efficient, and high quality manner.

The Marvel brand is now our new company name, Marvel Wheelchairs Inc., taking with us all of the best attributes of the past, and blending them with the needed constituents for a high performance future. Significant improvements have already occurred and include:

These steps will continue to provide our dealers and customers with the high quality products and the support structure they deserve.

---

Please expect the same dedication to innovative design as in the past. Watch for exciting announcements of next releases that will include accessories and options, compatibility with existing aftermarket wheelchair products, and exciting next generation products that will continue to stretch the boundaries of design. Our personal commitment to excellence remains. We thank you for your continued support.

Please visit us on our new website: http://www.marvelwheelchairs.NET

NEW CONTACT INFO:
MAIN: 800-733-0265