Tag: U.S. Rehab

WATERLOO, Iowa – Greg Packer, president of U.S. Rehab, was presented with the RESNA 2022 Honorary Fellow Award during the organization’s virtual conference on July 15. The award recognizes non-members who have promoted issues relevant to the field of assistive technology and rehabilitation engineering, and who have encouraged the independence of individuals with disabilities. “Greg is a pillar in our assistive technology industry,” said Kyle Walker, former vice president of...

YARMOUTH, Maine – The OIG’s recent finding that some Medicare Advantage plans are delaying or denying access to services shines a light on “one of the most financially damaging things happening to HME providers right now,” says Dan Fedor.  “It’s really ugly what’s happening,” said Fedor, director of reimbursement and education for U.S. Rehab, a division of the VGM Group, who has been known to call Medicare Advantage “Medicare Disadvantage.”  Here’s...

EAST AMHERST, N.Y. – NCART and U.S. Rehab have teamed up on a 2022 CRT Provider Benchmarking Survey. The collected information will help CRT providers better manage their businesses and will be used in NCART's industry advocacy efforts. This 18-question survey encompasses multiple aspects of operations and will supply critical data on the changes that have occurred over the last two years. All provider-specific information will remain strictly confidential and will not be shared. Participating...

WATERLOO, Iowa – U.S. Rehab’s new course offering on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) fills an education gap for complex rehab companies, says Tyler Mahncke. In particular, it fills a gap for companies with employees prepping for RESNA’s ATP certification, he says.  “We kept hearing from members, ‘We have a tech going through the process, and we understand the exam is more involved in AAC than in the past or that portion is more difficult,...

WASHINGTON – Recent virtual meetings with legislators highlight the importance of leveraging the Functional Mobility Assessment tool to show the value of appropriate seating and mobility equipment, say U.S. Rehab’s Dan Fedor and Greg Packer.  During those meetings, which took place as part of the Virtual CRT Congressional Fly-in on Sept. 21, legislators asked for “proof” that power standing devices and other complex rehab equipment benefit...

YARMOUTH, Maine – So-called “Right to Repair” bills in a number of states are raising awareness of the DMERT Group’s certification program for repair technicians.  The bills seek to give consumers the right to purchase parts from manufacturers and repair their own products, providing an important talking point for stakeholders on the role providers and their repair techs play in making sure equipment is working properly and safely.  “The bills so far...

WATERLOO, Iowa – U.S. Rehab has posted a white paper called “Telehealth for Complex Rehab: Is it Effective?” to its website.  “Telehealth has been a great tool for complex rehab technology professionals throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Greg Packer, president of U.S. Rehab. “But what we have seen is that telehealth should be available to use outside of the public health emergency.”  U.S. Rehab notes that studies have indicated that...

In November, at the height of open enrollment season, U.S. Rehab’s Dan Fedor warned complex rehab providers about the Medicare Advantage plans that were being promoted by celebrities in TV commercials. The first thing providers need to know about these plans: what they’re promising Medicare beneficiaries. “A lot of (MA plans) are trying to lure (beneficiaries) from traditional Medicare to their MA plan,” said Fedor, director of reimbursement and education for U.S. Rehab,...

WATERLOO, Iowa - To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, VGM & Associates, U.S. Rehab and NCART have released a video featuring longtime champion and lead sponsor of the act, retired Sen. Tom Harkin.The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement was established in 2013 to continue to catalyze change on issues of social justice, fairness and opportunity.“Having him speak to the CRT policies that are needed helps set the stage for us to have those...

YARMOUTH, Maine - Two clinicians provided a realistic view of what telehealth looks like in practice during a recent webcast sponsored by NCART, NRRTS, U.S. Rehab and The Clinician Task Force.For Jennifer Lewis, telehealth has come in handy for deliveries, but she hasn't used the technology for evaluations, primarily due to insurance restrictions. Lewis, PT, DPT, ATP, of Tidelands Health Rehabilitation Services in Myrtle Beach, S.C, works with children with developmental disabilities. Since April,...