Mobility
Congress throws support behind power standing systems
September 23, 2022Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON – Complex rehab stakeholders now also have a sign-on letter circulating in the Senate asking CMS to open a public comment period for power standing systems.
The three senators spearheading the letter – Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Bob Casey, D-Pa. – have supported efforts to move forward with Medicare coverage for these systems in the past, but they did so individually.
“They’re stepping it up with this group...
Stakeholders show up in force for complex rehab
September 23, 2022Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON – A record 300 providers, manufacturers, clinicians, consumers and others participated in the NCART/NRRTS Virtual Congressional Fly-in on Sept. 14, a nearly 58% increase over last year.
They held 292 congressional meetings on that one day.
“Attendance was significantly higher than prior years, including last year, when we had 190 participate,” said Don Clayback, executive director of NCART.
The three main talking points of those meetings: securing...
Power standing systems: Stakeholders increase pressure to act
September 22, 2022HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Complex rehab stakeholders now have a sign-on letter circulating in the Senate that asks CMS to open a public comment period for power standing systems, NCART reports.
The letter is spearheaded by Sens. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Bob Casey, D-Pa.
“Now is the time for CRT advocates to take action,” NCART stated in a bulletin. “We need your help getting signatures on both letters to send a strong message to CMS.”
There...
RESNA president: We need to capture interest in health science, technology
September 16, 2022Liz Beaulieu, Editor
COLUMBUS, Ohio – RESNA’s new board president, Carmen DiGiovine, PhD, ATP/SMS, RET, believes the educational opportunities for students looking to specialize in assistive and rehabilitative technology are approaching “critical mass.”
Here’s what DiGiovine, a clinical professor at The Ohio State University, which is building a new Assistive and Rehabilitative Technology Certificate Program, had to say about the increasing focus in academia on this specialty and...
CRT efforts gain momentum with fly-in
September 16, 2022HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – A record 300-plus advocates participated in the NCART/NRRTS Virtual Congressional Fly-in on Sept. 14.
Those advocates, who included consumers, clinicians, providers, manufacturers, family members, caregivers and others, held meetings with 292 congressional offices throughout the day.
“In the weeks ahead, we will be carrying out the important task of following up with offices on the ‘congressional asks’ presented,” said Don Clayback in an...
VGM’s Building Opportunities Summit seeks to elevate home access
September 9, 2022Liz Beaulieu, Editor
TAMPA, Fla. – VGM Live at Home will unveil several new initiatives at its Building Opportunities Summit, Nov. 10-12, in Tampa, Fla., that will help to professionalize the home access market, says Jim Greatorex.
“We’ve done this event before, but this one is going to be much bigger,” said Greatorex, vice president of VGM Live at Home. “The theme is: Working together to define, professionalize and grow the home access industry. We have all kinds of things we’re...
Power seat elevation: Race is on to submit comments
August 26, 2022Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON – Complex rehab stakeholders are trying to find the right balance between excitement that a request for Medicare coverage for power seat elevation systems is finally moving forward and disappointment that the same request for power standing systems has been delayed.
“We have mixed feelings,” said Don Clayback, executive director of NCART.
CMS on Aug. 15 announced it had opened a 30-day comment period for the request to reconsider the national coverage...
NSM ‘doubles down’ on education outreach
August 26, 2022Liz Beaulieu, Editor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – National Seating & Mobility has significantly expanded its education outreach to OTs, PTs and other clinicians through its new NSM Momentum Academy.
The company has a total of six regional events scheduled this year expected to draw anywhere from 60 to 200 attendees, depending on the market.
“It’s a good time to double down on education,” said Stacy Clouse, regional director of market development for the Southeast. “There’s...
New CEO continues VMI’s mission
August 26, 2022Tracy Orzel
PHOENIX - For Kyle Norton, a former officer in the U.S. Army, twice deployed as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Vantage Mobility International’s mission is extremely personal.
“I wanted to be part of a company that, ultimately, helped others,” said Norton. “I knew fellow veterans who relied on accessible vehicles in their daily lives, and it really resonated.”
Here’s what Norton, VMI’s new CEO, had to say about market growth and dreaded...
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...