Mobility
CSMC widens footprint, zeroes in on pediatrics
July 10, 2026Liz Beaulieu, Editor
TORONTO – The Canadian Seating Mobility Conference (CSMC) is on a roll, with a successful inaugural event in the Maritimes in the books and a flagship event set to expand in Toronto.
Strong turnout signals demand in the Maritimes
For the first time, VGM Canada hosted a second event, CSMC East, in Moncton, New Brunswick, April 29-30, in partnership with the Maritimes Home Medical Provider Association (MHPA). It had set a goal of about 150 attendees and smashed that with about 300 attendees...
Blackburn’s makes play for complex rehab market in Philly
July 2, 2026Liz Beaulieu, Editor
TARENTUM, Pa. – Blackburn’s has acquired Abet Medical, an Abington, Pa.-based complex rehab technology (CRT) company, in a move that significantly expands its coverage area in the Philadelphia “Tri-State” area.
Blackburn’s, which is based in Tarentum, Pa., a suburb of Pittsburgh, can now serve the entire state, as well as parts of Delaware and New Jersey.
“We’re really excited to enter into one of the largest U.S. markets via acquisition,” said...
CRT stakeholders call for broader advocacy push
June 26, 2026Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WATERLOO, Iowa – Complex rehab technology (CRT) stakeholders from NCART, VGM & Associates and Permobil pushed for increased advocacy at the Heartland Conference in June, highlighting the success of recent wins and outlining ongoing areas of concern.
“We’ve still got a lot of work to do,” said Julie Piriano, senior director of payer relations and regulatory affairs for NCART.
Leveraging the power of consumer advocacy
Among the more recent wins is a new law in New Mexico...
CRT providers wrangle with repairs and prior auth exemption
June 19, 2026Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WATERLOO, Iowa – Complex rehab technology (CRT) providers continue to face persistent challenges with documentation and billing for wheelchair repairs, according to Dan Fedor of U.S. Rehab, who addressed the issue at the recent VGM Heartland Conference.
Fedor, director of reimbursement and education for U.S. Rehab, a division of VGM & Associates, said repairs remain one of the most common operational pain points for providers – accounting for roughly 30% of his daily communications...
SpinLife puts down roots in retirement hub
June 12, 2026Liz Beaulieu, Editor
COLUMBUS, Ohio – SpinLife’s acquisition of Triton Medical gives the e-commerce-focused company an in-person foothold in a key retirement market, part of a broader strategy to enhance customer experience through targeted brick-and-mortar expansion.
The deal brings a retail location in Lady Lake, Fla., a growing retirement community that overlaps with the northern end of The Villages, one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing 55+ populations – an area where demand for...
Motion finetunes Rehab Expo for deeper focus
June 5, 2026Tracy Orzel
TORONTO – Motion is refining its Rehab Expo in 2026, rolling out a tighter, more deliberate format centered on complex rehab technology (CRT) for both adult and pediatric populations.
Guided by attendee feedback, the updated approach features a more curated show floor, with slightly fewer booths, shorter keynote presentations and, in select communities, a new half-day option designed to foster more meaningful networking. The format also reflects the rapid evolution of CRT by pairing hands-on...
Matt Filippis works to level playing field for smaller providers
June 5, 2026Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WATERLOO, Iowa – Matt Filippis says his main goal as the new director of business development for Clinical Mobility and Accessibility for VGM & Associates is to sharpen the competitive edge of smaller providers in the complex rehab technology (CRT), orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) and home access markets.
“Competition creates good service,” he said. “It keeps all providers honest.”
Filippis has a mix of experience – small and big. He joins VGM from AdaptHealth,...
Lifeway Mobility scales – with focus on demand and talent
June 3, 2026Liz Beaulieu, Editor
HARTFORD, Conn. – Lifeway Mobility was off to the races in the first quarter, expanding into two new states – Nebraska and Michigan – and launching additional locations in Missouri. The company, which currently operates in 35 states, plans to enter at least seven additional markets this year.
As it expands, the company will continue to deploy “a disciplined buy-versus-build strategy,” says Paul Bergantino, president.
“We have identified our next 20 markets...
Accessibility Conference builds traction in three-city debut
May 29, 2026Liz Beaulieu, Editor
CHICAGO – The Abilities International Accessibility Conference will have its final stop of the year in Chicago June 11-12 and all signs point to the inaugural conference returning in multiple cities in 2027, says Katy Roberts.
About 220 complex rehab technology (CRT) professionals attended the Accessibility Conference in Los Angeles in January and about 250 attended in New York in April, says Roberts, managing director of Raccoon Media Group, which hosts the conference as part of the Abilities...
Hands-on CRT Product Expo restarts bill, boosts awareness
May 22, 2026Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON – The Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) Product Expo in Washington, D.C., on May 13 was a hit, organizers say, even drawing appearances by Reps. John Joyce, R-Pa., and Dan Meuser, R-Pa.
Joyce, a doctor, and Rep. Vern Buchanon, R-Fla., introduced H.R. 1703, a bill to improve access to titanium and carbon fiber wheelchairs, in February 2025. Meuser is also an industry champion and brother of Scott Meuser, chairman and CEO of Pride Mobility Products.
“To have them in the room...