On A Roll’s Expert wheelchair service is open for business, scheduling visits one at a time with every precaution in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Making an appointment is easy, and services are covered by many insurance plans. Call 1.646.653.6266 or email onaroll@icsny.org.
Are you a VNSNY CHOICE member interested in learning more about Independence Care System services? Click here. Just want to know more about On A Roll? Keep reading below.
ICS pioneered the provision of comprehensive wheelchair services for low-income New Yorkers with disabilities. Today the ICS On a Roll comprehensive wheelchair evaluation program is a premier provider of specialized mobility assessments conducted by expert occupational and physical therapists.
Too many people have poorly fitting wheelchairs that limit their mobility and undermine their health by causing muscle strain, pressure injuries, spasms, nerve damage, or other injuries.
An On A Roll wheelchair or mobility device:
- Starts with a thorough evaluation
- Considers each person’s physical condition, their functional ability and where their device will be used
- Fits properly to prevent pressure wounds
- Is tailored to meet the needs of each individual
In addition to comprehensive clinical evaluations, On a Roll does home assessments to ensure that the appropriate chair will fit through the doors, hallways and elevators of the user’s home.
On A Roll’s expert wheelchair and complex rehab equipment services are covered by many insurance plans, including Medicaid, original Medicare Part B, Empire (Blue Cross/Blue Shield), United Healthcare, and all VNS insurance plans. Whatever insurance you may have, we will work with your plan to help you get the services you need.
Know someone who could benefit from the right wheelchair or other equipment? Making an appointment with On A Roll is easy. Just call 1.646.653.6266 or email onaroll@icsny.org.
On a Roll was developed and is led by Jean Minkel, an internationally recognized expert on seating and mobility who has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Fellow Award from RESNA (the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America).
To enhance our members’ independence, ICS also offers roll in repair workshops at our Bronx and Brooklyn wheelchair centers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click the + on each item below to see learn more about the wheelchair evaluation and ordering process.
What is the process of acquiring a new wheelchair?
Make an appointment with On A Roll, where an expert therapist will start the process of tailoring a wheelchair to meet your individual needs. This includes an evaluation, which looks at your range of motion, posture, alignment, seated balance and skin condition. It also includes assessing your sensation, simulating the postural supports you may need, and pressure mapping to determine what kind of cushioning is best for you. During the evaluation, we also gather information about the ways you will use your wheelchair and the activities you want to be able to pursue, how you will transfer to or from the chair, and any support you may need to do so. You will get a chance to try different wheelchairs and, if needed, we will make a home visit to insure that the chair fits in your home.
We will work with a Complex Rehab Technology Supplier (CRTS) to determine the specifications of the chair and supports you will need to be comfortable and mobile while getting around.
Once a new chair is acquired, we will teach you how to use it in both your home and community environments.
If you already have a mobility device, we will assess what is working well for you and what needs improvement.
I have never used a mobility device, how do I know if it will fit in my home?
An On A Roll evaluation includes ensuring that the recommended mobility device fits in your home and serves your needs there, as well as meeting your needs in your community, such as shopping, visiting, working, or going to worship services or school.
The hospital gave me a manual wheelchair that injured me. How do I know this won’t happen with an On A Roll mobility device?
A wheelchair that does not fit you properly can cause muscle strain, pressure injuries, spasms and other injuries. That is why On A Roll evaluations are detailed and individualized. If you need to rely on a wheelchair for mobility, you may need Complex Rehab Technology (CTR) and an individually configured chair to meet your needs. A mobility device you receive through On A Roll will fit you, your body size, and your specific conditions. It will support you in your home and wherever you want to go in your community. We also train you so that you can feel confident using your new equipment.
I cannot use a manual wheelchair but I don’t know how to get a power wheelchair. Can On A Roll help me?
On A Roll supports the payment and approval process for the wheelchair you need – manual or power chair – by working with your doctor and insurance provider.
What if my insurance denies the services I need?
If your insurer does not authorize the device you need, On A Roll will help you appeal that decision. We will connect you with advocates who can guide you through the process and provide the necessary documentation, free of charge.
What happens if my chair breaks?
On A Roll will assist you in coordinating repairs and battery maintenance for your wheelchair. We will guide you through the process of contacting the supplier with all the information required to authorize the repair, at no charge to you.
Want more information or to speak with an On A Roll expert?
Please use the contact form below.