Tag: Manual Wheelchair
HME legislative priorities gain ground
July 24, 2026Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON – The home medical equipment (HME) industry is heading into the August recess with momentum on several key legislative priorities, including a bill passed in the House of Representatives to improve access to carbon fiber and titanium manual wheelchairs and pending bills to delay Medicare competitive bidding for urology and ostomy supplies and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs).
Wheelchair bill advances to Senate
The House passed H.R. 1703, the Choices for Increased Mobility...
House passes bill to increase access to high-tech manual wheelchairs
July 21, 2026HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives on July 20 passed H.R. 1703, a bill that would increase access to carbon fiber and titanium manual wheelchairs, by voice vote, AAHomecare and VGM Group have announced.
The Choices for Increased Mobility Act now moves to the Senate, where there is a companion bill, S. 247.
"This is an important milestone and brings this legislation one step closer to becoming law," said Tom Ryan, president and CEO of AAHomecare. "For more...
In brief: Wheelchair bill advances, Medline rebuilds, MedPAC reports
July 17, 2026HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1703, a bill that would increase access to carbon fiber and titanium manual wheelchairs, on July 20 by voice vote, AAHomecare and VGM Group have announced.
The Choices for Increased Mobility Act now moves to the Senate, where there is a companion bill, S. 247.
"This is an important milestone and brings this legislation one step closer to becoming law," said Tom Ryan, president and CEO of AAHomecare. "For more than...
Mobility market pulls in two directions
May 1, 2026Tracy Orzel
YARMOUTH, Maine – The standard mobility market is being shaped by two competing forces: A growing demand from consumers for lighter, more versatile devices designed for life beyond the home, and a reimbursement system that continues to lag both technology and lived reality.
Consumers want lightweight, portable & stylish
Manufacturers say consumer demand is moving toward lighter, more portable scooters and power chairs, with design choices increasingly shaped by how easily a device can...
HME expands product line with manual wheelchair
July 9, 2025HME News Staff
RICHMOND, B.C. – HME Home Health has launched the HME Signature Series Rigid Manual Wheelchair, the 17th product in the award-winning line. “HME is committed to bringing high-quality, innovative rehab solutions to the market,” said Robert Boscacci, CEO and co-founder. “The HME Signature Series Rigid Manual Wheelchair is a partnership with leading custom manufacturer Hands-On Concepts for a fully custom wheelchair for the experienced wheelchair user.” Customizable features...
NCART: Complete survey on rear anti-tip devices
June 30, 2025HME News Staff
ROCHESTER, N.Y. - NCART is asking providers to complete a survey from the Wheelchair Research Team at Dalhousie University on rear anti-tip devices (RADs) for manual wheelchairs. This 20-minute survey focuses on a new design, the Arc-RAD, that the team hopes to refine and commercialize. “Your insights could directly influence the next generation of RADs and ensure that they truly meet the needs of riders and providers alike,” NCART states. “We also hope that you will find the survey...
Capitol Hill or bust: NCART, U.S. Rehab emphasize ‘real issue’
July 12, 2024Tracy Orzel
WASHINGTON - NCART and U.S. Rehab are set to host an in-person legislative day on Sept. 24 to address the economic challenges of being a complex rehab technology provider and to advocate for H.R. 5371, a bill that would improve access to titanium and carbon manual wheelchairs.
Given the current political upheaval and the unpredictable environment created by the ongoing presidential race, strategic engagement in Washington, D.C., has become increasingly important, stakeholders say.
"Taking...
DME MACs ease wheelchair policies
June 25, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The DME MACs have announced increased flexibility for home assessments for manual wheelchairs and streamlined replacement in certain cases.
Home assessments
This change allows for indirect assessments, such as phone calls, easing the burden on providers and improving access for Medicare beneficiaries in remote areas, AAHomecare says. The documentation for these assessments must clearly detail the beneficiary's home layout, surfaces and any obstacles that might...
Bill would clear ‘major issue’ for high-tech wheelchairs
September 29, 2023Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON – A new bill in the U.S. House of Representatives would allow Medicare beneficiaries to pay the difference to upgrade to a titanium or carbon fiber manual wheelchair.
Right now, if a consumer wants a titanium or carbon fiber manual wheelchair, they must pay for the full cost of the wheelchair out of pocket, have their provider file a non-assigned claim on their behalf and, if approved, wait to receive 80% of the Medicare allowable.
“These numbers aren’t...
Dr. Cooper named to Hall of Fame
January 25, 2023HME News Staff
ARLINGTON, Va. – RESNA Fellow Dr. Rory Cooper is one of 16 innovation pioneers who will be honored as part of the 50th class of National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) inductees, the organization has announced. The 2023 class was announced at the recent Consumer Electronics Show in New York. Cooper is the founder and director of the Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL), a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the University of Pittsburgh. A biomedical engineer,...