Patient Services Information and Referral Service
Equipment Loan Programs
The ALS Association, Greater New York Chapter has a very extensive loan program. We recognize the importance of proper equipment and assistive devices in maintaining the safety, comfort, and maximal functioning of PALS. The goal of the loan program is to help PALS always have access to the equipment they need.
Often there is a long wait to obtain equipment and assistive devices through insurance funding. The equipment loan program can be used as a bridge to provide needed equipment until the PALS' item, funded by their insurance company, arrives.
Also, there are certain items that are not covered by medical insurance that are beneficial to PALS, and the loan program is a place to find these items, free of charge.
The Elliot W. Dann Augmentative Communication Loan Program
The Jon Stone Durable Medical Equipment Loan Program
Other Equipment Loan
Equipment Loan Policy
Equipment Loan Procedure
Donation of Items
Funding of the Program
The Elliot W. Dann Augmentative Communication Loan Program
The Greater New York Chapter of the ALS Association recognizes that communication is vital to a rich life and proper care. We are committed, therefore, to helping patients find ways of communicating when speech is no longer possible. The Elliot Dann Augmentative Communication Equipment Loan Program has been established to assist patients in identifying their communication needs and to provide augmentative and/or alternative communication devices to assist with communication.
This program includes the following types of equipment:
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AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Devices
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Mounting Systems for AAC Devices
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Switches
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Switch Adapted/Alternate Access Telephones
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Voice Amplifiers*
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Attendant Call Systems*
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Environmental Controls* - equipment for operating TV's, lights, and other home appliances
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Specialized Computer Equipment* -- The ALS Association, Greater New York Chapter does not provide computers, only specialized equipment to allow PALS to access a computer.
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Other Communication Related Equipment
*The inventory for these categories is very limited; please call our Assistive Technology Specialist for availability at 1800-672-8857 or email equipment_loan@als-ny.org.
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The Jon Stone Durable Medical Equipment Loan Program
The Greater New York Chapter of the ALS Association recognizes that securing insurance approval of medial equipment may be a time-consuming process and there are many types of medical equipment that are not covered by most medical insurances. Also, there are some PALS that do not have insurance coverage at all for this type of equipment. The Jon Stone Durable Medical Equipment Loan Program has been established to provide access to medical equipment either as a bridge while awaiting insurance approval and/or to those with no insurance coverage for the equipment being requested.
This program includes the following types of equipment:
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Manual Wheelchairs
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Power Wheelchairs
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Wheelchair Cushions
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Wheelchair Accessories
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Bathroom Equipment
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Walkers
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Patient Lifts
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Ramps*
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Lift Chair Recliners*
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Other Medical Equipment
*The inventory for these categories is very limited; please call our Assistive Technology Specialist for availability at 1-800-672-8857 or email equipment_loan@als-ny.org.
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Other Equipment Loan
The Greater New York Chapter of the ALS Association occasionally has donations of other equipment that we offer to patients, such as:
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Elevators
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Wheelchair Accessible Vans
As you can imagine, these types of items are not as readily available for loan, but we keep a waiting list of patients in need and people who have these items to donate.
If you are interested in this type of equipment, please call the chapter office at 1-800-672-8857 or email equipment_loan@als-ny.org.
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Equipment Loan Policy
Candidates for the program must:
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Have a diagnosis of ALS
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Reside in the chapter's coverage area -- New York City (all 5 boroughs), Westchester County, Rockland County, Orange, Ulster, Dutchess, Putnam, Long Island or Northern New Jersey. (If you do not live in our catchment area, please contact us to see if special exceptions could be made.)
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Have applied, or be in the application process, for coverage of equipment from their insurance, or have no insurance coverage for the requested item.
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All items are provided to patients with ALS, free of charge.
Equipment Loan Procedure
To request a loan of equipment through any of the loan programs, contact the chapter office at 1-800-672-8857 or email equipment_loan@als-ny.org.
Please be aware that some items can be loaned out simply through a phone conversation with the chapter staff, but most items will require the involvement of a health care professional to choose the most appropriate item.
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Donation of Items
The success of this program is dependent upon the availability of equipment. As such, the Chapter encourages and appreciates the donation of appropriate items. Your donation is tax deductible. Equipment will be accepted for donation if it is owned by the donor family, is in demand and is determined by the Chapter to be in usable condition. Delivery and pick-up of equipment will be made by the Chapter. Those wishing to donate equipment should call the chapter office at 800-672-8857 or email equipment_loan@als-ny.org.
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Funding of the Program
All of the chapter's loan programs are funded through private donations and grants. If you would like to help support this valuable program, click the button below to make a donation.
