William A. Ricker - Page 7




                                        - 6 -                                         
               Like the panoramic x-ray machine, the Wehmer x-ray machine             
          is vertically adjustable.  Thus, like the panoramic x-ray                   
          machine, patients customarily stand while the Wehmer x-ray                  
          machine is in use, whereas patients who are confined to a                   
          wheelchair may remain seated in their wheelchair.                           
               Again, like the panoramic x-ray machine, the Wehmer x-ray              
          machine may be purchased with an accessory chair at an additional           
          cost.  Petitioner chose not to purchase the accessory chair,                
          thereby reducing the acquisition cost of the machine and avoiding           
          the risk inherent in transferring a disabled patient from chair             
          to chair, but without compromising the diagnostic value of the              
          machine to able-bodied patients.  As with the panoramic x-ray               
          machine, a patient who is confined to a wheelchair can easily               
          access the open space beneath the Wehmer x-ray machine.                     
               Along with the Wehmer x-ray machine, petitioner purchased a            
          “Wehmer Rare Earth Cassette with Screens” (rare earth cassette)             
          for $299.  The rare earth cassette is an “amplifying screen” that           
          serves to reduce the amount of radiation emitted from the Wehmer            
          x-ray machine.                                                              
               Petitioner uses the Wehmer x-ray machine and rare earth                
          cassette on a daily basis and for all of his patients without               
          regard to whether an individual is disabled or able-bodied.                 
          Indeed, the machine and cassette are intended to improve the                
          standard of care for all patients, and neither was specifically             






Page:  Previous  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  Next

Last modified: May 25, 2011