CMS Announces Flexibilities in Response to California Wildfires The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced flexibilities in response to ongoing wildfires that began last week in Southern California. In a Jan. 10 news alert, CMS said state of California waivers are available for affected providers. Medicare beneficiaries who have lost their durable…
Briefly: CMS Announces California Wildfire Flexibilities; First 2025 Abilities Expo Scheduled for March
December Spending Bill Extends Medicare Telehealth Coverage Through March
NCART lauds the extension of telehealth for occupational and physical therapists as crucial to timely CRT provision.
The late-December spending bill that funds federal government programs through March 2025 includes an extension of Medicare telehealth funding. President Joe Biden signed H.R. 10545, the American Relief Act 2025, into law on Dec. 21. While critical home medical equipment (HME) legislation, including much-needed funding relief for HME providers, was left out of the bill,…
Good-Bye, Hello!
Industry leaders recap 2024’s big events, look forward to the year to come
What a year 2024 has been. For every triumph (Medicare funding for power seat elevation, at last!), there seemed to be a disappointment (but what about power standing?). As we head into 2025, we asked industry leaders to share their thoughts on a number of topics. Their answers suggest a new year already shaping up…
Briefly: Alexis Ward Leaves AAHomecare; Motion Concepts Has a New Canadian Address
Featuring the American Association for Homecare and Motion Concepts.
Alexis Ward Departs from AAHomecare Longtime Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) advocate and policy expert Alexis Ward has announced she’s departing the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare). Ward had served as AAHomecare’s senior director of payer relations. In a Dec. 18 email to colleagues, Ward said, “It has been an honor and privilege to work alongside…
NCART Welcomes Two New Board Members
Industry veterans John Letizia and Brad Peterson have joined the National Coalition for Assistive & Rehab Technology board.
The National Coalition for Rehab & Assistive Technology (NCART) has welcomed two additional board members. In a Dec. 12 announcement to members, NCART said Brad Peterson (Amylior) and John Letizia (Laurel Medical Solutions) had been elected to fill two board seats added as a result of the association’s expansion. Both Letizia and Peterson are Complex…
Briefly: Clinician Task Force Announces Incoming Executive Director; UHN to Start Neuralink Procedures
Featuring the Clinician Task Force and the University Health Network.
Tamara Kittelson to Become Executive Director of Clinician Task Force Tamara Kittelson, MS, OTR/L, ATP/SMS, will become executive director of the Clinician Task Force (CTF) in January. Current CTF Executive Director Cara E. Masselink, Ph.D., OTRL, ATP, HPCS, made the official announcement in a Dec. 10 bulletin, saying, “Tamara is an occupational therapist, RESNA-certified ATP/SMS,…
2025 RESNA Conference: Joint Expo Hall, Keynotes at RehabWeek Chicago
Seven rehab societies will co-locate and co-exhibit in downtown Chicago in May.
During the summer, the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North American (RESNA) announced that its 2025 conference would be part of RehabWeek Chicago in May. In a Nov. 15 webinar with Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) professionals, RESNA shared additional details on how the event — involving seven rehabilitation-oriented organizations — will provide CRT…
Briefly: CMS Adds Inclusion Body Myositis to Seating Consideration List; Nonprofit Debuts Caregiver Website
Featuring NCART, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and I AM ALS.
CMS Adds Inclusion Body Myositis ICD-10 Code for Seating Considerations The National Coalition for Assistive & Rehab Technology (NCART) has reported that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has added the ICD-10 code for inclusion body myositis (G72.41) to the Group 2 and Group 4 lists for consideration for a skin protection and/or…
RESNA to Host 2025 Conference Information Webinar on Nov. 15
RESNA’s event will be part of RehabWeek Chicago next year.
The Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) is holding its 2025 conference as part of RehabWeek Chicago — and on Nov. 15, RESNA will host a webinar to share details about the event. RehabWeek Chicago comprises eight rehabilitation and assistive technology societies “that will come together to foster cross-disciplinary communication and…
American Airlines Fined $50 Million for Mistreating Wheelchair Riders, Mobility Devices
Department of Transportation fine is the largest penalty assessed against an airline for violating disability regulations.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has fined American Airlines $50 million for mistreating passengers using wheelchairs, and for mishandling those passengers’ wheelchairs and other mobility equipment. The DOT made the announcement in late October and noted that the fine “is 25 times larger than any previous DOT penalty against an airline for violating disability…