Livingston Reporting - page 131

Costly Mistakes That Are Made When Choosing a Medigap Plan

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

When it comes to selecting the right Medicare plans it is important that you do your due diligence. With so many options out there, it is not hard to believe that so many seniors find out after they have made a mistake when choosing their Medigap plan. Unfortunately, once you sign up for a Medigap plan, you are locked in and have to wait an entire year to make any changes.

 

This mistake could end up being very costly and is irreversible until the enrollment period begins next year. Not only could it cost a lot of extra money, but it could even cost you by not covering certain services that you or your spouse may rely on.

 

5 Common Mistakes Made Wen Choosing a Medigap Plan

Taking advice strictly from television ads:

Unfortunately, we all are exposed to the many advertising on television and on the radio regarding the Medicare plans. This is especially true during the enrollment periods and as the ending of the signup comes around every. The problem comes in when you listen to a well-intentioned relative armed with the knowledge that they saw in on the TV. This can be a bit dangerous when they don’t know all of the details.

 

Not taking the time to thoroughly investigate Medigap prescription coverage:

One of the worst feelings is to find out at the wrong time that your Medigap plan does not cover all of the cost of a new medication that your doctor has prescribed. Since chances are great that your doctor is prescribing the medication that you really need it.

 

Not checking to see if the Medigap plan covers the gaps most likely needed:

Some people end up hurting themselves by not checking to be sure that they know if the Medigap plan that they probably rushed into signing up for did not actually completely fill in the gap of their Medicare plan. This mistake could be doubly bad if you end up without necessary coverage and that it costs too much.

 

Selecting the wrong insurance company for your Medigap plan:

The insurance company you chose is ultimately the most important. If you end up selecting the wrong insurance company it might not even matter if you choose the best plan that they have. If you cannot trust the company to be there when you need it, they are not the right company.

 

Choosing straight Medicare:

Signing up for the original Medicare plan and assuming that the Part A and Part B will suffice your needs could be the right choice, however, be sure that you ensure that you select a cap on expenses. This could easily end up costing you a lot of money.

 

Learn more about Medigap plans and rates at http://emedigap-plans.com.  Medigap Insurance brokers will help you compare Medigap Insurance rates and plans.  To talk to an expert in Medigap coverage call toll free 888-452-7949!

Medigap Insurance Plans

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Benefits of Working with a Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plan Agent

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Medicare supplemental insurance plans can be downright confusing, which is why it is always best for a person to utilize an agent throughout the entire process of finding a plan.  A Medicare supplemental insurance agent knows the details of each plan and can help a person choose the one that fits their needs the best.

Here are 6 Benefits of Working with a Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plan Agent:

  • Saves Time

Since the Medicare supplemental insurance plan agents know all the lingo and idiosyncrasies of each plan, they can save a person a lot of time during the researching process.  A person can simply go talk to a Medicare supplemental insurance plan agent instead of spending hours doing their own research to come up with the same results.

  • Learn More

Medicare supplemental insurance plan agents take their jobs seriously, and they want everyone that they talk to, to learn as much as they can about the different types of available plans.  Everyone will know all their options and how they work side by side with Medicare Parts A and B.

  • Saves Money

There are never any fees when a person works with a Medicare supplemental insurance plan agent, so no one needs to worry about receiving a large bill at the end of the session.  Plus, these agents can give a person multiple quotes for different policies, so that they can choose the best coverage for the lowest rate.

  • Receive Unbiased Advice

No Medicare supplemental insurance plan agents make more money selling one plan over any of the others, so everyone can remain confident that they are receiving unbiased advice during their meetings.

  • Purchase a Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plan at the Right Time

Medicare supplemental insurance plan agents will ensure that everyone knows when the best time is to purchase their plan.  It is important for a person to apply for coverage during their initial enrollment period, because during that time they cannot be rejected, charged a higher premium, or have the start of their coverage delayed.

  • No Second-Guessing Choices

There is never a need for a person to second guess their choices when they work with a Medicare supplemental insurance plan agent, because they know that they are receiving the best coverage for the lowest price without overlooking anything important.

Anyone that is in the process of purchasing a Medicare supplemental insurance plan or who will be in the future, will want to set up a meeting with an agent sooner than later.  After all, why should anyone do a ton of work, when someone has done it all for them already?

Learn more about Medicare Supplemental Insurance plans, rates and more at http://www.emedicare-supplemental-insurance.com.  Medicare Supplemental Insurance brokers will help you compare Medicare Supplemental Insurance rates and plans.  To talk to an expert in Medicare coverage toll free 877-202-9248 today!

 

Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans

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Choosing Shingles that Coordinate with Your Siding

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

You may be tempted not to worry about whether your shingles match the color of your siding, but since your home’s roof can account for approximately forty percent of the exterior of your home, you may want to change your way of thinking.

One of the first things that you will want to consider is the climate of where you live.  If you have warm temperatures throughout the year, or most of the year, you may want to choose lighter colored shingles, as they will not absorb as much of the sun’s rays.  However, if you live in a cooler climate, a darker roof can absorb some of the heat from the sun and make your home warmer.

Of course, since you cannot just choose a light or dark color without consulting your shingles, your next step is to find a color that coordinates with the sides of your home. Siding that is light gray is best matched with shingles that are a combination of light and dark gray hues.  Although, you can also choose shingles that are completely gray, black, blue, white, or green for the same upscale look.

Cream or beige colored siding normally works best with shingles that are solid black, green, gray, brown, or blue, but you can choose a color blend as well for additional visual appeal.  Brown siding needs shingles that are green, gray, black, or brown, while white siding can have shingles of any color matching beautifully.

The color that you choose for your shingles should also match the architectural style of your home, which means that you don’t always want the colors of everything matching nicely.  The result in those cases are always boring and bland, which is not what you want for the exterior of your home and your curb appeal.

It is possible to acquire shingle samples from roofing contractors to test out at different times of the day, so that you can see what they look like as the daylight and the sun moves across your roof and the exterior elements of your home.

One of the last things that you will want to do before making your final decision is take the roofs of your neighbors into consideration.  While you may want your home to stand out a little from your neighbors, you don’t want to go too wild, as your home may seem slightly out of place.  An unusual roof color can also affect the resale of your home in the future.

If you are still slightly confused by all this, do not worry.  A professional roofer can help you choose the best color for your shingles, so that your home’s curb appeal improves immensely.

Learn more about Kearns Brothers, a full-service home improvement contractor servicing all of Southeast Michigan’s construction needs by visiting their website at www.kearnsbrothers.com or contact a remodeling expert at 888.355.6700.

Kearns Brothers

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Best Way to Shop for Aluminum Fencing

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

As the name suggests, aluminum fencing consists primarily of aluminum elements. Its popularity stems from its ability to resist corrosion largely owing to its low metal density. If you’re looking for a lightweight, durable option to secure your home or business, aluminum fencing is the way to go.

Aluminum fences are ideal for both residential and commercial purposes.  Their flexible nature also means the fence can be constructed in a wide variety of configurations. Maintenance is easy and cost-effective given the fence’s weather-resistant qualities. Customers previously accustomed to wrought iron and steel fences are now gravitating towards aluminum fencing. Aluminum fencing is available in a number of decorative styles, colors, and with features to ensure the safety of pets and family members alike.

A Wide Variety of Uses

As we mentioned above, aluminum fences can be modeled in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. This also includes a myriad of colors and powder coatings. This makes them very durable given the coating can be making it stronger yet smooth. Powder coating has proven very resilient as it adheres to aluminum better than paint or other coatings.

Aluminum fences are extremely weather-resistant. They have the uncanny ability to withstand harsh conditions such as extreme heat and cold. This also means better and longer manufacturers for some brands making them attractive to contractors.

From commercial to residential uses aluminum fencing fits the wants and needs of consumers.  Aluminum are used to enclose swimming pools and backyards, enhance landscapes, secure perimeters, to create boundaries, and more.

Shopping for Fencing

Aluminum fencing sales are on the upswing as homeowners realize the benefits of aluminum fencing. Whether you will be using a contractor, or you are installing your aluminum fence the good ole fashion DYI approach, below is a list of common aluminum fencing materials needed:

  • Post hole digger
  • Tape Measure
  • Screwdriver
  • Drill
  • Level
  • Hammer
  • Nails
  • Concrete
  • Gravel
  • Fence Panels
  • Fence Rails
  • Post Caps

Aluminum Fencing Online

More and more consumers are turning to the internet as their go to source for aluminum fencing and accessories.  Online retailers have incredible hands on tools that allow you to see exactly how your fence choices will look in your yard before even making a purchase.  Browsing through the selection of colors, styles, accessory options, and more is simpler when seated in the comfort of your own home.  Your purchase can be made securely using a credit card with a satisfaction guarantee.

iFenceUSA is an online manufacturer and distributor of wholesale aluminum fencing. With over 18 styles of aluminum fence panels and gates to choose from, we have aluminum fences that will meet your wants and need.  Choose from custom aluminum fencing options including: Commercial Grade Aluminum Fencing, Residential Grade Aluminum Fencing, Pool Grade Aluminum Fencing, and Industrial Aluminum Fencing all at https://ifenceusa.com/.  For more information contact one of our aluminum fence experts toll free 800.762.2907 or via email at info@ifenceusa.com.

iFenceUSA

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Professional Computer Consulting Saves Time and Money

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Nowadays businesses cannot run without technology.  Business comes to a startling halt when software or program failures occur.  When technology goes awry it affects day to day business.  Most companies can’t afford the costs associated with downtime but also can’t absorb the expense of having an IT specialist on their payroll to fix issues with technology as they arise.  A middle ground is reached through contract services in the form of managed IT.

Computer consultants are a precious commodity for businesses of all sizes. IT consultants are able to contract with a number of companies to basically be on call for a flat monthly service fee or hourly rate depending on the option that best fits your company’s IT needs.  Some IT companies specializing in only one service whereas others venture into the tech world as a whole.  Companies, such as Creative Programs and Systems offer clients a variety of services from website design to computer consulting which allows for an all-inclusive approach to IT services.

Hiring an IT consultant can save your company quite a bit of time and money in a variety of ways.  For one there is no need for training or continued education to keep employees up to date with the latest technological advancements.  There isn’t a need to pay employees overtime to work on computer issues after business hours or benefits which helps save on overhead expenses.  Contracted services also don’t require paid sick time, vacation, or the expense of recruiting and training new employees when staff turns over.

Hiring IT consulting services is a win/win for business owners as well.  From computer consultants, professionals can also learn how to more effectively run their business as those experts have picked up many new tricks of the trade from working with numerous companies over the years.  A more efficiently run business will earn more money with less effort, which is helpful to those who are trying to find time to expand their services and grow their businesses.

Business owners who hire computer consultants will find that they are spending twenty-five to fifty percent less than they would if they hired their own on staff IT specialist.  Computer consultant services are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, that is a great deal for any business.  With this comes computer maintenance services, changes with websites, solving emergencies to eliminate downtime, and more.

By hiring computer consultant’s business owners and employees alike can focus more on everyday tasks rather than dealing with technological issues.  Instead they can simply pick up the phone and make a call or send an email regarding the issues that are occurring, and a consultant will either remote in to your network or go on-site to ensure your problem is quickly taken care of.

Managed IT services not only save time but also money while making life simpler.  Often in business the simple solution costs more, however in the case of computer consulting, it is in fact the most economical option.

Learn more about Creative Programs and Systems, CPS, and the IT solutions they provide including IT consulting, computer consulting, network consulting, networking, server installation, IT disaster recovery, computer repair, virus removal, malware removal, computer tune ups, data backup systems, computer troubleshooting, structured cabling, low voltage wiring, website design, graphic design, logo design, website hosting, search engine placement, iphone app programming, android app programming, and custom programming at www.cpsmi.com.  To contact one of our IT experts, call 810.224.5252 today or via email at info@cpsmi.com.

 

Creative Programs and Systems

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A Few Reasons It May Be Time To Upgrade Your Linear Accelerator

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

When it comes to medical equipment a linear accelerator is considered the “workhorse” as it is used again and again, every day.  Some facilities, with lower patient counts, can often still use a linear accelerator that can be decades old whereas larger facilities often replace their radiation oncology equipment regularly every few years.  In the United States, linear accelerator equipment and other larger pieces of radiation equipment are upgraded every decade.

When you are ready for an upgrade depends on a number of things.  A few indicators that it is time to upgrade your linear accelerator include:

  • You want to provide treatment to more clients, provide higher quality of care, and provide treatment for a wider variety of cases.

Newer technology can empower a facility to provide faster and more precise, or more integrated, treatment. An upgrade may allow a broader ability to take on any case. For example, an upgrade to offer SRS (Stereotactic Radio Surgery) to treat head and neck cases may be an option. Other common upgrades include:

  • Upgrading the MLC
  • Updating the portal imaging system
  • Adding VMAT capabilities
  • Enhancing the couch

 

  • The goal of your facility is to maintain a competitive edge.

Expanding your capabilities means referrals can also grow. Enhanced capabilities enable physicians to direct new types of treatment cases. Patients who had to be referred to another clinic may now come to your clinic.

  • Maintenance expenses are continual and keep adding up.

Many LINAC systems will be under an annual service contract, with preventive maintenance visits throughout the year to keep the machines working smoothly. However, older machines that have reached their “end-of-life” may no longer be supported and, in worst-case scenarios, some of the replacement parts may not be available at all.

  • Replacing the linear accelerator is not an option.

Extending the life of a machine with upgrades is less costly than purchasing a new machine. It also means less downtime as your old machine is removed and a new one installed, a process which can take as long as five weeks. No machine means no treatments, and you risk losing patients.

Any of these reasons may compel you to consider replacing your facility’s linear accelerator.  If that’s the case, first consider adding upgrades. Upgrading your existing system can give you the power and capabilities you want, cost-effectively.

Acceletronics is an independent service company dedicated to delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from Linear Accelerators and CT Scanners across all major brands and models. Learn more about Acceletronics and their selection of new and refurbished linear accelerators and CT scanners today at http://www.acceletronics.com.  To contact one of our LINAC experts call 610.524.3300.

Acceletronics

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The Importance of Long-Term Care Planning

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Most people fail to plan for their long-term care.  More often than not the reason given for this is that people don’t start to think about growing old and what is going to happen to them simply because it is so far off.  What is important to them is the present: remaining healthy, independent, and not out living their income. Although they may not be worried about the future it is important for us as family member to help stress the importance for them to create a long-term care plan for the inevitable.

When it comes to considering our inability to care for ourselves, natural human nature is to shut down thoughts that it will ever happen to us.  Although long-term care is not of a high concern to many because it isn’t happening, and, in our face, it is crucial that we take the necessary steps to plan ahead for events beyond our control.  No one can be sure that they will not fall victim of the effects of aging such as increased accidents, more illnesses, & a rise in hospital visits; all which could involve the need to have prepared a long-term care plan.  We plan for many risks such as fire, car accidents, theft, and more so why wouldn’t we plan and prepare written documentation of our long-term care plan, our power of attorney, and estate plans.

For aging individuals one of the most earth-shattering events that can take place is the need for long-term care.  Typically, the need for long-term care comes along with the removal of a person’s ability to care for themselves.  When needing long-term care, elderly people most often lose their independence, experience a loss of their health, and uses up financial assets.   The need for long term care is really the most overwhelming late in life event that can occur.  There is very little wonder why so many of us are reluctant to plan for this event.

It is important for individuals to start planning early for retirement as long-term care can be costly.  Not only should we be putting money towards retirement and savings for Medicare and other expenses, we need to start putting money towards long-term care insurance.  Planning for the risk and need for long-term care, is less expense than the results of having a financial need that you cannot fulfill leaving the burden to fall on your family.

Learn more about attorney Sean J. Nichols and the legal services he provides for clients including: estate planning, elder law issues, Medicaid planning, elder care, probate law, guardianships, and power of attorney (POA) at www.seanjnichols.com.  To contact the offices of Sean J Nichols, call 734.386.0224 today.

Sean J. Nichols

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Eye Corrective Surgery This Summer Season

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

This summer has been a hot one!  With hot summer days glasses can be a pain.  They fog up when its humid and you head outside after being in the air, cause your face to sweat, make you have to carry expensive sunglasses, and are just an all-around hassle make many people start to consider LASIK vision correction.  Laser eye correction surgery technology is better than ever and is used to treat myopia hyperopia, and astigmatisms by reshaping the cornea to allow the light entering your eye to properly be focused onto your eyes retina.  In most cases surgery can be performed in under fifteen minutes and is pain-free.

The LASIK Process

After an initial consultation with your eye surgeon you will be scheduled for LASIK surgery.  During your surgery an eye surgeon will use a tool to cut a thin flap in the cornea that is circular in shape.  This flap will be folded back allowing the surgeon to access the cornea area known as the stroma to remove the corneal tissue that is creating your vision problem.

A cool ultraviolet laser beam removes tiny bits of tissue to reshape the cornea to allow light to properly enter the retina and improve overall vision.  For nearsightedness the goal is to flatten the cornea while with farsightedness a steeper cornea is created.  Astigmatisms are treated by smoothing out irregular cornea shapes into a more natural shape.

Once the laser has been used to reshape the cornea, the eye doctor will lay the flap back in place so that the area of the cornea where the tissue was removed is covered allowing naturally healing to take place.  During surgery patients are not under anesthesia and instead only require topical anesthetic drops to numb the area.  Laser eye surgery does not require stitches or band aides.

Once surgery has been completed it is important to rest.  Your eyes may temporarily feel an itch or a burn that will go away in time.  It is important to have someone with you to drive you home after the surgery.  In fact, you are not to drive until an eye doctor has confirmed your vision meets legal driving standards which is usually done during a follow up visit the day after surgery.

You can expect hazy eye sight the say of your surgery that should clear up by the following day.  Over time your vision will continue to improve eventually stabilizing.  Many LASIK surgeons will allow you to return to work the following day but recommend a couple of days of rest if at all possible.  Patients are told to avoid strenuous activity for at least a week to allow for healing.

Patients that follow their surgeons directions and remain steadfast to their recovery should experience very little discomfort or complications.

If you are looking to reduce or even get rid of your eye glasses and/or contacts let us at Rohr Eye & Laser Center help you! We offer several types of LASIK eye surgery including PRK, AK, CK, Cataracts surgery and more. We perform all these eye laser treatments with state of the art equipment. We are a leader in laser vision correction, and our goal is to help you achieve superior vision. Contact us today or view our website http://www.michiganlasik.com/  to schedule an appointment.

 

Michigan Lasik

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The Reality of Hard Water In Your Home

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

The water supply in your household can arguably be stated to be the single most important within your home.  Next, in order of importance for the comfort of its occupants being waste drain and electrical systems.  The water in your home is of absolute importance in order to live comfortably within your home.  Running water is not only convenient it is crucial.  The quality of the water in your home is extremely important as it not only affects the appliances and plumbing systems, it can affect the health of your family.

 

Undesirable Effects of Hard Water

Water supplies throughout the United States are not all created equally which is why it is of the utmost importance that your household water is evaluated prior to use.  There are however, some tell-tale signs that can be seen throughout your home that are dead giveaways on whether your home has or does not have hard water or water that has arsenic or other adverse elements within it.

 

Many homeowners may not even be aware of the damage that hard water can actually create physical damage to their home.  Often times hard water can cause serious damage to your homes plumbing while also doing damage to appliances such as your dishwasher and washer and families clothing.

 

One tell-tale sign that you have hard water is finding a film on dishes after running a load of dishes through the dishwasher, staining on the faucets and fixtures within the home or landscaping, or a smaller than normal lather when working with soaps and shampoos.

 

How Water Softener Systems Work to Combat the Undesirable Effects of Hard Water

Many residential water systems work in the same manner, they hook up to your homes water inlet from the city or well system.   In order for water to be softened the outside source of water must be hooked up to a water treatment system.  There are many different options in water treatment systems that can be installed in your home to treat your homes hard water, the most common being a water softener system using salt or potassium chloride.

 

The typical process of water softening uses a typical Ion Exchange which uses salt or potassium chloride to replace the minerals in the water that makes it hard.  This ion exchange system consists of using more than one tank and a flow control system that first removes all of the minerals and mixes the salt back into the water before discharging it into the household’s water system.

How Safe Is Softener Water?

According to most health experts, softened water is safe to use a s a source of usable water and quality drinking water although an excess can be harmful as we can see in the excess consumption of anything. An excess of sodium or a reduction in naturally occurring minerals within a water supply can be unhealthy however when used normally as is seen within household water usage the health benefits of soft water our weigh the possible harmful effects.

 

Most water softener systems use some sort of process that strips away most of the minerals and replaces them with higher levels of sodium. This means if you have high blood pressure or one of several heart-related conditions your doctor will likely have you on a no or low sodium diet. If this is the case, then you may want to consider the source of your water before choosing a water softening treatment system for your home.

 

Sodium is not the only health concern, trace minerals and other nutrients that you may not be aware that are in found in your typical “hard water” are actually extremely good for you.  Without them you would need to resort to other sources, such as supplementation or altering your daily diet to increase the amount of the important minerals.  Water softening does not eliminate minerals it does however, decrease the amount that can be found to a healthy amount to ingest.

At Reynolds Water Conditioning Company, we are here to help make sure our clients don’t buy water treatment systems that they don’t need.  We are here to make sure you find a water softening system that gives you the results you are looking for, whether it is to remove iron or odor from you water; we have a solution that will help!  For more information contact our experts at 800.572.9575 or at our website https://reynoldswater.com.

 

Reynolds Water

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Proper Maintenance Keeps Medical Systems Running Smoothly

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

The manufacturer of all medical equipment routinely establishes a regular maintenance schedule that customers need to be able to accomplish in order to ensure that their system is running properly. These maintenance requirements ensure tests are run to ensure that certain linear accelerator parts are all functioning well. The same is true for oncology equipment parts.

 

Importance of doing regular proper maintenance

 

When the equipment you are operating is designed for diagnosing a wide range of serious injuries, illnesses, and diseases it is extremely important that they are working optimally at all times. To be sure that all of your machines are properly maintained you should read all of the documentation that comes with each machine and pays close attention to any section that lists regular or scheduled maintenance.

 

8 Steps Involved in Quality Preventative Maintenance Plans on Medical Equipment

#1 Get the key people in your organization on board with the plan

– In order for any maintenance plan to work you need to be sure that you have all of your people on board with your plan.

 

#2 Discuss your goals for the plan –

Be sure to discuss all of your goals for the program with everyone to be sure everyone understands them.

#3 Do an initial inventory of all the equipment needing to be maintained –

You should a complete inventory of all of the equipment that will be part of your plan.

 

#4 Make decisions on the plan you wanting to follow –

Make final decisions on how the plan will be carried out.

#5 Read through all of the equipment manuals –

It is important to know as much about the machinery as you possibly can before you get started.

 

#6 Schedule long-term maintenance plan –

Set up a long-term maintenance plan that covers all of the vital systems of the equipment.

 

#7 Schedule short-term maintenance plan –

Set up a short-term plan that covers a more basic look over of the system.

 

#8 Train your people –

Before you set your plans in motion you want to be sure that all of your people are all on the same page and ready to carry out the mission.

 

For some medical facilities this type of maintenance on each piece of equipment requires a special department within the organization.  For others it is more cost effective to outsource medical equipment maintenance and repairs to a company that specializes in the repair of medical equipment and parts needed for complex repairs on large scaled equipment such as linear accelerators, CT scanners, and a variety of radiation oncology equipment.

 

Learn more about Radparts and the variety of services and parts they offer to repair medical equipment including: linear accelerators parts, CT scanners parts, linac parts, and radiation oncology equipment at www.radparts.com.  To contact one of our medical equipment repair specialists for parts or service call toll free 877.704.3838 for 24/7/365 support.

 

RadParts

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