the medcom group, ltd

Recovery from surgery is not done overnight. Depending on the surgery it can take days, weeks, or even months. Knowing this before surgery is the first step to really helping you prepare for the recovery process. Your recovery needs to be a peaceful and as stress free as possible and The Medcom Group, Ltd. is here to help. Taking the time to make a few preparations, before surgery, will really help you to achieve your recovery goals. Here is a small list of thing you can do to help with this process.

• Wash all of your laundry. If this is something you are unable to do on your own, ask for help.  Once done with laundry, leave some comfortable clothes out for easy access during your recovery.
• Have a schedule of meals to be brought in by friends and family. Prepare meals that can be heated in the microwave. Eating a well-balanced diet is essential for the healing process. Many friends and family want to help. Having them bring in meals is an easy way to do that.
• Call Medcom Group, Ltd. to schedule your CPM machines, SCD machines, or any of your durable medical equipment needs. In doing this you can obtain the knowledge and insurance your post-surgical needs will be met.
• Place items you use frequently out and in easy reach. This can be items to cook with or the remote next to your comfy chair.
• You may need to arrange your furniture to best fit your recovery needs. Widening the pathways between your furniture and adding a bedside table, to the areas you will be relaxing the most. This will make medical equipment, medications, reading materials, remotes and computers in an easy to reach location.
• Eliminate trip hazards like rugs and cords. Depending on the type of equipment you will need for your recovery, your favorite chair may need to be moved closer to an electrical outlet. This would avoid power cords being strung across the room.
• Find and arrange bathroom supplies for ease of use. The bathroom is a place that gets overlooked till the last minute. You may need special supplies when using this area. Consider the help you may have, and the room that you have to work with.
• Find things to do within the physical restriction the doctor has placed on you. Knowing you have things to do, within the scope of your recovery, will help you to recover properly. You don’t want to get bored and vacuum the floor. Something like that could cause your recovery to be much longer.

Most people are looking for some time off from work. They have things they would like to do and places they would like to go. Unfortunately, the time off to recuperate from surgery, is not the time for big plans. This is the time for a good book, movie rentals, and naps.  Not a time for vacuuming, cooking, and laundry.  By just preparing a little before surgery, you can relax and recover. The most important thing is that you follow your doctor’s orders. Taking the medications that were prescribed, wearing all bandages and slings, and only do the physical activity the doctor has deemed safe. Not following these orders can cause you to have a longer recovery, or even an additional surgery.

As a national provider of various types of durable medical equipment, The Medcom Group, Ltd. has become the market leader in getting you what you need quickly.  When it comes to getting you the products that have been prescribed for your recovery, most other companies drag their feet.  Either they don’t have the ability to get authorization from your insurance company, or they don’t have access to the equipment that you need.  The Medcom Group, Ltd. has CPM machines, SCD machines, Lymphedema Pumps, and variuos other products for rent or purchase, and we will always have plenty of inventory to fill your needs.  In addition, we have a low cash-pay option available to everyone, both patients and facilities, that helps expedite the process of getting your machine on the way to you.  The cash-pay option can save you lots of money as well because we don’t need to bill your insurance company the usual and customary rates, which are much higher than what a patient or facility would pay out of pocket.  The Medcom Group, Ltd. is always happy to offer a paid invoice to each patient in case you want to attempt to get reimbursement directly from the insurance company yourself.

The Medcom Group, Ltd. ships most of our equipment to clients all over the world.  User manuals and/or DVDs accompany the machine you will be using, so don’t worry about not having any type of hands on instructions.  The DVDs are extremely helpful when fitting a Knee CPM for a patient, for instance, as they walk patients through a simple, step-by-step set of instructions.  And if you are still unsure on what you are doing with the equipment, we have a trained representative on call 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.  So you can reach a live person with questions or issues regarding your machine.  If you are a facility and plan on renting machines on a larger scale, The Medcom Group, Ltd. would be willing to hire a local fitter of the machines so that your facility’s workers aren’t spending their time setting up our equipment.  That’s good news for your local economy…another person back to work!

The Medcom Group, Ltd. will get you the equipment that you need and instruct you on proper set up and use.  You can count on us to service all of the machines on a regular basis and to stand behind our equipment.  We still do business in an old-fashioned manner…We believe in being the best customer service provider in the industry.  You can trust us to do the right thing!  Give us a call for all of your rental or purchase needs.  877.301.4276.  The Medcom Group, Ltd….We Keep You Moving!

The Medcom Group, Ltd. has gone global!  Just as the internet has made world-wide business an easier reality, medical equipment companies, like The Medcom Group, have been the fortunate beneficiaries.  Known for it’s outstanding patient and facility customer service, The Medcom Group’s vast product line includes a number of therapeutic and rehabilitative devices, such as Continuous Passive Motion machines (CPM), Sequential Compression Devices (SCD), Lymphedema Pumps, Cold Therapy, and Physical Therapy equipment.  Since 1988, The Medcom Group has provided rental and purchase options on a national level, serving patients and facilities from Alaska to Florida, Hawaii to Maine.  The United States is traditionally underserved by providers of the types of Durable Medical Equipment (DME) that The Medcom Group specializes in.  As a result, we receive requests and referrals for all types of equipment from all over the country, and we have developed a number of referral relationships with doctors and facilities because of our commitment to teaching, service, and quality equipment.

But what about those patients and facilities that exist outside of the U.S. borders that want to purchase equipment?  No worries…We have the ability to ship purchased equipment most places outside of the United States.  The Medcom Group has recently sold products to patients and/or facilities in Canada, Mexico, The Phillipines, Wales, Saudi Arabia, and New Zealand.  We distribute a number of different company’s products and typically can send them anywhere in the world .  In rare instances, distribution agreements are in place which will prevent us from selling products to certain parts of the world.  If you are ever unsure whether or not The Medcom Group can sell a certain product to your part of the world, contact us at info@medcomgroup.com and we will get back to you with the answer.  There are no distribution agreements in place within the borders of the U.S., so if you are in the United States, we can get you the equipment that you need…equipment that in most cases is almost impossible to find at a local level.  Getting patients and facilities the equipment they need is our specialty.  Now, The Medcom Group’s shipping borders have gone global.  Again, info@medcomgroup.com is how to reach us, and we look forward to helping in your recovery!  The Medcom Group – We Get You Moving!

The Medcom Group, Ltd. is proud to announce a distribution agreement with Lympha Press, a market leader in the manufacturing and distribution of lymphedema pumps and garments.  Lympha Press has a 30 year track record of success when it comes to helping patients with venous insufficiency and lymphatic issues.  They also manufacture sequential medical compression therapy systems for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or blood clots.  Lympha Press manufactures their products according to the strictest quality control standards of the European, Japanese, and US markets.  Their garments, which include sleeves for all extremities, bilateral extremities, torso lymphedema, and full body sleeves, are easy to wear, easy to clean, and all have overlapping chamber systems which allow for treatment without gaps.  Lympha Press machines are designed to stand the test of time and come in offerings that allow for four chambers of compression, for patients with minor lymphatic issues, up to 40 chambers of compression, for those with more complications.  The Medcom Group, Ltd. is excited about its new partnership with Lympha Press.  Please contact us at 877-301-4276 to learn more about our Lympha Press offerings.  The Medcom Group, Ltd. – We Get You Moving!

As the popularity of the Continuous Passive Motion Machine (CPM) continues to grow, we here at The Medcom Group, Ltd. have increased our inventory to match that demand.  Most of the CPM devices prescribed in the United States continue to be for patients who have had or are about to have knee surgery.  There are a few of reasons for this.  Knee surgery is the most prevalent type of orthopedic surgery performed these days.  The knee CPM has the longest history, being the first type of continuous passive motion machine invented and produced on a high scale.  Therefore, the knee CPM can also claim to have had the most studies performed regarding its medical efficacy, and as a result, is the most likely form of continuous passive motion machine to get paid for by insurance companies.  The knee joint is also the most replaced joint in orthopedic surgery, and CPM machines are typically used for patients after total knee arthroplasty.  Hence, the popularity of the Knee CPM, when compared to its rivals (shoulder CPM, ankle CPM, hand and wrist CPM, elbow CPM) may never be challenged.

But continuous passive motion machines for these above mentioned joints do exist and are becoming increasingly popular themselves.  Very few companies have any of these “specialty” CPM machines…The Medcom Group, Ltd. has all of them.  And we have a lot of each of them.  The shoulder CPM helps patients recover more quickly from rotator cuff surgeries, shoulder replacements, and shoulder manipulations.  The elbow CPM makes life much more comfortable for patients who have had contracture releases.  Ankle and hand problems?  The continuous passive motion machine designed for those joints work amazingly well and help to regain the motion that physical and occupational therapists have had a hard time getting back manually.  We have had countless physical and occupational therapists tell us that patients who use a CPM, regardless of which joint they injured, are far easier to work with and are able to work on their strengthening exercises much sooner because they have gained their full range of motion in a much shorter period.  Remember, insurance companies only pay for a certain amount of formal physical therapy visits per year.  A home CPM rental can assure you that you will get the most out of those P.T. visits, and that you shouldn’t need to pay out-of-pocket for further physical therapy visits that aren’t covered by insurance.

Feel better sooner with a continuous passive motion machine after your orthopedic surgery.  Make sure to ask your doctor if your recovery would benefit from a CPM machine at home, because with certain types of procedures, a CPM would not be a good idea.  Your physician will know, but don’t be afraid to ask.  And once you have the OK from your doctor, call us here at The Medcom Group, Ltd. at 877-301-4276 to arrange the delivery of your CPM.  The Medcom Group, Ltd. – Your one stop shop for all of your continous passive motion needs!

Surgery Hurts!  If you are about to have surgery, have had surgery in the past, or know anyone who has had surgery (which should include most of us), you know that an operation is no picnic.  Of course, depending on the type and extent of the surgery needed, and the skill of the doctor, some precedures hurt more than others…but they all hurt!  Most surgeons will want patients to use some form of cold therapy after the operation is over for a period of time.  Icing after an injury (surgery is an injury that is designed to heal a greater issue) is the standard of care, but there are very different ideas of HOW to ice after an injury.  Some doctors will suggest a plastic bag full of ice, or perhaps a frozen bag of peas.  While these versions are certainly cheaper, they are the least effective forms of cold therapy.  In other words, ice bags don’t eliminate pain and swelling nearly as much as some other forms of cold therapy.  So if you can make surgery hurt a lot less, and in some cases, eliminate pain altogether, wouldn’t it be worth a little extra expense?

There are a couple of cold therapy devices that have really made a big impact on the market, both of which are carried by The Medcom Group, Ltd.  First, the Cryocuff by Aircast is a very popular purchase item for patients post-operatively.  The beauty to the Cryocuff is its simplicity…just fill the cooler with ice and water, attach the appropriate wrap to the injured part of the body, and let gravity do the rest.  The wrap will fill up with cold water, which often stays cold for 30-60 minutes, and really helps take away your pain.  The water inside the wrap also provides some compression, which helps to reduce the swelling that post-surgical joints experience.  The list of Cryocuff wraps available is extensive, covering all the major joints that a patient could injur.  The Cryocuff can disconnect from the wrap without any water spilling out, so you are not stuck to the machine.  There is also an electrical version that continuously circulates water (Cryocuff IC) for even longer periods of cold and compression.

The Game Ready cold therapy and intermittent compression system by CoolSystems, Inc. is another popular cold therapy choice.  The Game Ready can be purchased from The Medcom Group, Ltd. as a used machine, offering extensive savings over purchasing new from the manufacturer.  The Game Ready system can also be rented from The Medcom Group, Ltd.  Much like the Cryocuff, the Game Ready comes with a complete assortment of wraps available.  Unlike the Cryocuff, the Game Ready offers variable levels of intermittent compression, which really helps to milk a lot of the swelling out of the affected joint.  The higher levels of compression also promote deeper cooling, which greatly reduces the pain compared to the surface (skin) cooling provided by ice bags or a bag of peas.  The Game Ready connects to a wall outlet and can be set for a wide range of time options (five minute increments).  It also has the ability to shut itself off once your cold therapy session is over, helping prevent the frostbite that can occur quite easily with ice bags.

As with any cold therapy device, a prescription is required for both the Cryocuff and the Game Ready.  It is recommended that patients place the wraps over top of a thin barrier, such as clothing or a towel, and not directly against the skin.  This can help to prevent frost bite and enhances patient comfort.  Also, we always request that you follow your doctor’s directions on length and duration of use, as well as the manufacturer’s recommendations on proper use of the equipment.  Here at The Medcom Group, Ltd., we have heard countless patients tell us how much their Cryocuff or Game Ready helped them get through the worst part of their surgeries – the PAIN.  Let us help you recover more quickly…call us at 877.301.4276 and we can get you back on your feet fast!  The Medcom Group, Ltd. – Your Cold Therapy Experts!

When most people think about using a Knee CPM for their home use after surgery, they plan on renting one.  And for most patients, renting a CPM, whether they need it for 2 weeks or 8 weeks, is the most economical decision they can make.  Insurance companies are much more likely to pay for a Knee CPM machine rental than they are for a purchase.  However, there is a certain segment of the patient population that would benefit more from actually purchasing a Knee CPM, whether new or used, especially if their insurance wouldn’t cover either way.  Here are a few things to consider when asking yourself the rental vs. purchase question:

1.  Is this the only surgery you are planning on having where you might need to use a CPM at home?  Many patients have one knee replaced and then will have the other knee replaced later.

2.  Are any of your close friends or family members planning to have similar surgeries where they may benefit from using a CPM machine (always check with those patients’ doctors’ to make sure that a CPM is indicated for those patients as well)?

3.  Would the cost of renting a machine exceed the purchase price of used equipment because the rental period would be so long?

4.  Do you want to keep the machine and use it for extended periods well after your formal physical therapy has ended (many patients want to keep their machines much longer than the rental period typically covers…here at The Medcom Group, Ltd., we have heard countless patients who have said they never wanted to give their machines back)?

If you work at a facility requiring CPM machines for your patients to use on an inpatient basis, allow us to help you do your homework.  Many facilities still rent CPM machines from a provider like The Medcom Group, Ltd.  For facilities who don’t use CPMs very often, the rental option may be most cost effective.  But for many hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and other skilled nursing programs, purchasing CPM machines can cut down on long-term costs by thousands of dollars per year.  The Medcom Group, Ltd. offers sales on new CPM machines throughout the year and we are contracted with some of the largest Group Purchasing Orginazations around.  In fact, we have the ability to save contracted facilities hundreds of dollars on each new Knee CPM purchased versus non-contracted providers.  For most facilities, who are purchasing 5+ machines at once, those savings are significant (thousands of dollars).  We also have the variety of options that facilities are looking for, because we have ALL of the major CPM manufacturers’ products on our GPO contracts.  If you are looking to upgrade your CPM fleet, chances are that The Medcom Group, Ltd. can provide them for you at a great discounted price, and you can earn the benefits of contract utilization.

Whether you’re a patient looking to buy a used CPM because you want to keep it long-term or you’re a purchasing manager at a major health system looking to save money on industry-best CPM products, The Medcom Group, Ltd. can take care of your needs.  Please call us at 877.301.4276 to discuss how we can save you money and Get You Moving!