Tag: Wayne Grau
Stakeholders ‘set tone’ for complex rehab technology priorities
October 3, 2025Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON – Complex rehab technology (CRT) stakeholders focused on strengthening relationships with lawmakers and staffers during the September CRT Fly-In, positioning themselves to advance key legislative priorities when the timing is right.
While stakeholders came prepared with a few specific “asks,” the meetings were equally about laying the groundwork for future advocacy and discussing broader industry challenges, including repair reform.
“Some...
Right-to-repair: NCART, NEMEP rally troops in NY
May 30, 2025Liz Beaulieu, Editor
ALBANY, N.Y. – New York is the latest state where right-to-repair bills have popped up, prompting NCART and NEMEP to host a recent webcast to raise awareness and advocate for changes and protections.
“We have both risks and potential opportunities,” said Wayne Grau, executive director of NCART. “We want to give you what the bills are for, what’s been happening, what we need to do about it and how you can get involved. If there’s anything I’ve learned...
CRT stakeholders strategize to advance new tech
March 28, 2025Liz Beaulieu, Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine – Complex rehab technology stakeholders in a recent webcast outlined their priorities for 2025, including getting a bill passed that would improve access to high-tech ultralightweight manual wheelchairs.
Previous versions of the bill nearly passed in late 2024, but there was “a hiccup,” said Wayne Grau, executive director of NCART, which hosted the webcast with U.S. Rehab.
“We couldn’t get it passed because one senator decided he wanted...
NCART celebrates retiring CRT leaders
December 4, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – NCART recognized three industry advocates who will be retiring from the NCART board of directors and from their companies. They are:
Greg Packer of US Rehab: “Greg has been a committed and determined advocate for the CRT industry for decades,” said Ike Issacson, senior vice president of government & regulatory relations, VGM. “His work was personal to him, and anybody who worked with him knew that he would do anything he could for those in the industry.
Doug...
Seat elevation: Stakeholders ask CMS to take another look
September 6, 2024Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON – NCART is using the Medicare Electronic Application Request Information System (MEARIS) as a tool to secure another meeting with CMS officials to discuss lower-than-expected reimbursement for power seat elevation systems.
The organization submitted an application through the system in July, shortly after CMS announced that it would increase the reimbursement for these systems but only by $13.62 to $2,013.96.
“We talked to our members, and they asked us, ‘Is...
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...
NCART to Medicaid: ‘We can’t continue down this road’
June 30, 2023Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON – NCART has officially put state Medicaid programs on notice that they should be following Medicare’s lead in implementing a reimbursement increase for complex rehab products and services.
NCART in June sent letters to state Medicaid programs, asking them to increase their reimbursement and to work with the organization and other stakeholders to develop policies that best serve people with disabilities.
“We’re putting a lot of focus on reimbursement...
Stakeholders set complex rehab agenda
December 16, 2022Liz Beaulieu, Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine – Stakeholders have shared a list of complex rehab priorities for 2023, including several holdovers from 2022, like securing Medicare coverage for power seat elevation devices.
On that priority, stakeholders are well on their way, with CMS expected to issue a decision memo on Feb. 15 and, following another comment period, to finalize coverage in May.
“There are next steps,” said Wayne Grau, executive director of NCART. “If (the decision) is...
Wayne Grau takes lead at NCART
August 19, 2022Liz Beaulieu, Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine – Wayne Grau plans to do more listening than talking in his new role as executive director of NCART.
Grau, whose first day on the job was Aug. 1, says despite his 30-year career in the HME industry, much of it focused on complex rehab, he still has a lot to learn.
“My job is really to listen to members,” he said. “There’s thousands of years of experience with these manufacturers and providers. It would be silly of me to think I know...
Grau takes lead at repair group
August 2, 2022Tracy Orzel
WATERLOO, Iowa – For more than 30 years, Wayne Grau has worked in nearly every facet of the mobility and rehab industry—holding leadership roles in supplier relations and government affairs, sales and marketing, trade relations, and business development—making him a natural pick as the DMERT Group’s newest chairman.
Grau succeeds U.S. Rehab’s Greg Packer.
“I will be working with both manufacturers and providers to understand their needs, but also...