So many early-intervention mobility needs have been met by enterprising creations such as Permobil’s Explorer Mini and the University of Delaware’s groundbreaking GoBabyGo adapted power toys. But David Savage, ATP/SMS, RET, seating and mobility specialist at Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick, N.J., still saw a gap for very young children who lacked independent mobility…
Small Base, Big Possibilities
Commentary: Did Policy Changes Just Ease CRT’s Roll?
The removal of ICD-10 codes for seating and changes for power mobility device replacements may be smoothing out the policy pavement.
CMS: ICD-10 Codes No Longer Required for Wheelchair Seating Documentation
The DME MAC contractors announced the change on Oct. 2.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) DME MAC contractors have removed ICD-10 codes from its wheelchair seating requirements. The National Coalition for Assistive & Rehab Technology (NCART) reported the change in an Oct. 2 breaking news bulletin to stakeholders while linking to the updated article. The article’s revision date is Oct. 1, 2025.…
Medicare Claims on Hold as Government Shuts Down, Telehealth Flexibilities End
As the government shut down Oct. 1, pre-pandemic Medicare telehealth policies resumed.
As the federal government shut down on Oct. 1 due to lack of funding, Noridian Healthcare Solutions — the DME MAC for Jurisdiction A — sent out a reminder to stakeholders that Medicare claims would be put on hold. “When certain legislative payment provisions (“extenders”) are scheduled to expire, CMS [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid…
AAHomecare Shares Proposed Rule Comments on DMEPOS Competitive Bidding, Accreditation
The public comment period closed Aug. 29.
The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) has submitted its comments on Medicare competitive bidding and accreditation recommendations in the calendar year 2026 home health proposed rule. AAHomecare addressed its 45-page list of comments to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz, M.D., on Aug. 27. Competitive bidding proposals in conflict with executive…
Managing Microclimate
Identifying risks to wheelchair riders — and how technology can help
So much about the art and the science of seating is about working effectively with factors that are unchangeable — the wheelchair rider’s diagnosis, progression of the condition, and past mobility equipment, just for starters. Seating teams also need to account for inescapable factors such as pressure, which can be strategically managed, but never fully…
Reforming Repair
Wheelchair service is broken, but the way forward is complicated.
Regarding repairs for complex seating and wheelchairs, stakeholders seemingly agree on one thing: The process takes too long, leaving wheelchair riders without the technology they depend on to optimize their function and independence. From consumers and caregivers to clinicians, providers, manufacturers, researchers, legislators and policy experts, stakeholders agree that repair reform is desperately needed. But…
How 3D Printing Could Impact Custom Cushion Manufacturing
Carbon — whose partners include Adidas, Ford Motor Company, and Riddell — has been studying the wheelchair seating industry.
Traditionally, seat cushions that provide the most help for wheelchair riders — such as custom-molded ones with robust support and positioning, or that accommodate asymmetrical or windswept postures — have come with tradeoffs. They can be bulky and heavy. They don’t breathe well, so they trap and hold heat. They also trap and hold moisture,…
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Pressure Injury Prevention
Considering all sitting surfaces — not just wheelchairs — is critical.
Truly managing pressure injury risk requires a wide-angle lens that takes in everything a wheelchair rider does — and everywhere that rider sits — all day long. “People think it was just that car ride over the weekend or sitting on a commode for too long that caused this pressure injury,” said Nicole LaBerge, PT,…
Abilities Expo Announces Professional CRT Conferences for 2026
The new Abilities International Accessibility Conferences will co-locate with the Southern California, New York Metro, and Chicagoland consumer events.
The consumer- and caregiver-focused Abilities Expo series is partnering with multiple industry organizations to bring educational sessions to seating, mobility and assistive technology professionals starting in 2026. In a June 10 interview with Mobility Management, Katy Roberts, managing director of the Abilities Expo, discussed how the new Abilities International Accessibility Conference for industry professionals will…