Tag: U.S. Rehab

Tyler Mahncke estimates the demand for mobility equipment is growing at a 5%-9% annual rate, with approximately 60% paid for by public and private insurance.  “There is still a strong retail component to the market, specifically for scooters and wheelchairs,” said Mahncke, president of U.S. Rehab at Waterloo, Iowa-based VGM. “People want a backup and travel device.”  Functional Mobility Assessment data reveals that more than 15,000 clients use a mobility vehicle,...

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...

MURRYSVILLE, Pa. – Philips Respironics will cut 300 manufacturing jobs in Western Pennsylvania and relocate approximately 500 workers from its Pittsburgh headquarters to its two major plants in the nearby suburbs, according to local news reports.  Starting in the fourth quarter of 2024, the company will move workers to its centers in Murrysville and New Kensington, a move that is expected to take two years, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.  The company said it will...

WATERLOO, Iowa – U.S. Rehab, a division of VGM, will offer tech training Sept. 10-11 in Minneapolis. U.S. Rehab tech training is two days of in-person education and hands-on experience with manual and power wheelchair repair. Technical trainers from Ki Mobility, Merits/Avid Rehab, MK Battery, Motion Concepts, Permobil, and Sunrise Medical will present product specifics and work through basic repair strategies, troubleshooting, and programming. Tech Training participants have the choice...

YARMOUTH, Maine – RESNA and U.S. Rehab lifted the lid on a new ATP Guidance Program at the VGM Heartland Conference on June 11 that will provide the “secret sauce” to increasing the number of assistive technology professionals in the complex rehab market, says Andrea Van Hook.  The one-year program provides a pathway for rehab technicians certified by AMRG, formerly the DMERT Group, to become certified by RESNA as ATPs. Rehab techs certified by AMRG must pass an online exam...

WASHINGTON – NCART and U.S. Rehab will host an in-person legislative day in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 24. The event will focus on educating members of Congress about the current economic issues challenging NCART members as they focus on providing equipment and services to consumers. It will also focus on H.R. 5371, the “Choices for Increased Mobility Act,” which would allow consumers to pay out-of-pocket for their choice of manual wheelchair. The two organizations say to stay tuned...

WATERLOO, Iowa – U.S. Rehab has announced that RESNA will have an increased presence at the Heartland Conference this year, giving complex rehab technology professionals more opportunities to access education and networking.  RESNA, whose board of directors last year opted to pause its annual conference, will provide several sessions for Heartland’s rehab track.  “There has always been a rehab track at Heartland, but we’re adding 50% more CRT education than...

WATERLOO, Iowa – Greg Packer officially retired from U.S. Rehab at the end of the year, but he continues to have a presence in the complex rehab industry, not only at the company but also at NCART.  Packer has a contract with U.S. Rehab and its parent company, The VGM Group, as a consultant for 18 months and he will serve as president of NCART’s board of directors in 2024 and then as past president in 2025.  Here’s what Packer, whose career also includes roles at...

WATERLOO, Iowa - U.S. Rehab has named Tyler Mahncke president of U.S. Rehab following the recent retirement of Greg Packer. Since 2022, Mahncke has served as vice president of U.S. Rehab. He is also vice president of the DMERT Group, an industry non-profit organization that provides continuing education programs for service technicians in the DME and CRT space. “We are extremely excited for Tyler’s promotion to president of U.S. Rehab,” said Lindy Tentinger, president of VGM & Associates....

WATERLOO, Iowa - U.S. Rehab has named Tyler Mahncke president of U.S. Rehab following the recent retirement of Greg Packer. Since 2022, Mahncke has served as vice president of U.S. Rehab. He is also vice president of the DMERT Group, an industry non-profit organization that provides continuing education programs for service technicians in the DME and CRT space. “We are extremely excited for Tyler’s promotion to president of U.S. Rehab,” said Lindy Tentinger, president of VGM & Associates....