Supporting our nation’s veterans goes beyond recognition, it’s about ensuring they have the right environment and tools to recover with dignity, live independently, and enjoy a better quality of life. That’s exactly what the Direct to Veterans Program sets out to achieve.
What is the Direct to Veterans Program?
The Direct to Veterans Program provides veterans with access to more than 20,000 products designed to promote independence and healthy living. From daily living aids to mobility solutions, the program delivers essential items directly to veterans, helping them stay active, strong, and self-reliant.
How does it work?
Clinicians such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, and physicians can order products for veterans by submitting an order to prosthetics. Once the order is approved, Performance Health fulfills and ships the product directly to the veteran’s home. For example, if a clinician orders a Squegg Device, the process ensures that the veteran receives it quickly and at no cost.
Yes, Squegg is now part of the Direct to Veterans Program
We are proud to share that Squegg, smart dynamometer and hand trainer, is now available through this program. Clinicians can prescribe Squegg for their veteran patients, empowering them with a connected, portable, and interactive tool to rebuild hand strength and function.
Who can benefit from Squegg?
Squegg is well-suited for a wide range of patients, including those with:
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Hand weakness caused by prolonged hospitalization or deconditioning
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Injuries such as hand crush injuries or distal radius fractures
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Neurological conditions like stroke (CVA), Parkinson’s disease, or other motor control impairments
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Arthritis or conditions where hand strengthening is essential
By transforming hand therapy into engaging games and measurable exercises, Squegg makes rehabilitation more engaging and improves compliance.
How can we order Squegg through the direct to veterans program?
Ordering Squegg for a veteran is simple:
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Determine that the veteran would benefit from at-home hand strengthening.
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Submit an order to prosthetics including::
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Device: Squegg (note it is “through the Direct to Veterans Program”)
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Reason: e.g., “To address hand weakness and promote improved ADL performance”
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Clinical justification: e.g., “Secondary to [diagnosis or dysfunction]”
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Provide education to the patient on device use, ideally in the clinic, or once the veteran receives the device.
Sample medical justifications
Here are a few examples clinicians can use when writing orders:
- "Patient presents with documented grip and pinch weakness (e.g., secondary to [diagnosis: stroke, TBI, neuropathy, orthopedic injury]). Squegg is medically necessary to provide objective assessment, monitor progress, and facilitate engaging, measurable therapeutic exercises for improving upper extremity function and activities of daily living."
- "Veteran requires portable and interactive solution for ongoing hand and forearm strengthening to address functional deficits in [specific task, e.g., self-feeding, dressing, opening jars]. Squegg will promote adherence to prescribed exercise regimen and allow for remote monitoring of progress, reducing risk of regression and maximizing independence."
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"To prevent further decline in fine motor skills and maintain independence in daily tasks, Squegg is indicated for therapeutic intervention focusing on sustained grip and progressive resistance exercises. This will support the veteran's ability to participate in meaningful activities and enhance overall quality of life."
How Squegg makes a difference?
Squegg blends therapy and technology by transforming traditional exercises into interactive experiences. This not only makes rehabilitation more engaging but also delivers data-driven insights for clinicians and greater independence for veterans.
Through the Direct to Veterans Program, clinicians can now provide cutting-edge solutions like Squegg, empowering veterans to strengthen their hands, regain function, and live more independently.