They are known as: Western Health Advantage (WHA)
Their motto: "Finally, a health plan that works to your advantage."
However, this is not true in my case of the "Denied Backup Manual Wheelchair" that I have been fighting for since 2003.
In April 1997, I became an employee of the University of California Davis Medical Center. January 1999, I became I became a quadrapaledric as the result of a car accident.in January I became a (WHA) Western Health Advantage client eligible for an electric wheelchair.
After many necessary repairs to my electric wheelchair and no other means of transportation while my wheelchair was being repaired, except, most times to wait in the repair building while it was being fixed or sometimes being issued a loaner (non electrical) wheelchair, I asked for a backup manual wheelchair.
Please, keep in mind that an electric wheelchair weights in at approx. 200 - 300 pounds.in my case with no accessible van of my own, I along with my wheelchair can only be transported via Pratransit, which is the public transportation I use to get to and from work and other limited destinations.
When I requested a backup manual (not another electric wheelchair) I was denied. I appelled the denial, in writing stating reasons that a manual wheelchair was needed:
A) What happened when my electric wheelchair has broken inside my home and I have nothing to transfer to.
B) What am I to do when I want to travel with family members and friends on an outing in their car. An electric wheelchair can not be transfered.
C) When my electric wheelchair is in the shop how am I to report to work, attend meetings etc.
D) I have a daughter who is also disabled and a high school senior obtaining her driver's license. I would like to be able to take rides with her. Go on vacations, amusment parks, the grocery stores, shop for prom dresses etc., while riding alone with my daughter.
E) I would like to visit friends and family in Folsom, CA., and in the Bay area where Paritransit dosen't go. They are limited to the Sacramento area only. I can go if I have a manuel wheelchair.
And these are just a few of the things that I cannot do without a manuel wheelchair.
I have worked and been a tax payer sience the age of sixteen. I am 49 years old and I feel that I have not only paid for a manuel wheelchair ten times over but I and others in my situation have earned the right to have a backup manuel wheelchair.
Thank you for listening.
Signed,
Please help me and my daughter!
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