Wheelchair Repair Advisory Council continues monitoring implementation of new law

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — News 8 continues to follow the new landmark wheelchair repair law and how it’s being implemented.

The Complex Rehabilitation Technology & Wheelchair Repair Advisory Council held its second monthly update at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

The council’s purpose is to monitor the implementation of the new law and the timeliness of wheelchair company repairs. Connecticut is the first state in the nation to enact a law that provides consumer protections and an enforced 10-business-day timeline for wheelchair repairs. New data shows that seven consumer complaints have been filed since July when the new law went into effect.

“This seems like a very, very low number to me,” Adam Prizio with the Office of the Healthcare Advocate said. “It is a new program, but I think that it would certainly benefit from additional outreach, particularly targeted to all wheelchair users.”

Prizio went on to say that their office has received 4,000 consumer complaints on the wheelchair repair process since Jan. 1, 2024.

“We’re trying to get compliant,” Executive Vice President of the East Division at Numotion Gary Gilberti said. “We’re trying to meet the standards here, and we are improving on a day-by-day basis, but I just want everyone to understand the complexity that goes into building the tracking.”

The council’s next meeting is Oct. 22.

If you or someone you know is a wheelchair user and there’s a repair issue, you can file a complaint with the Office of the Healthcare Advocate by calling 866-466-4446, emailing Healthcare.Advocate@ct.gov or filling out an OHA Online Inquiry Form .

You can also mail a complaint to:

Office of the Healthcare Advocate
P.O. Box 1544
Hartford, CT 06144

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.