A few weeks ago, I attended a presentation by a fellow editor in our publishing division. (Yes, editors have CEU-like classes, in case you wondered, but why would you?) The class was about using active voice (“The front-wheel-drive power chair easily climbed the obstacle”) vs. passive voice (“The obstacle was easily climbed by the front-wheel-drive…
Commentary: Abiding by CRT’s ‘It Depends’
Study: High-Tech AAC Dramatically Improves Outcomes for Users with CP, ALS
The Dynavox-commissioned study also showed benefits for caregivers.
A new study commissioned by Dynavox Group demonstrated that the use of high-tech augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) can enormously impact the functionality and quality of life for both the AAC users and their caregivers. “Exploring the Benefits of Assistive Communication” was described as a health economic study conducted in the United States by Augur…
CMS Announces Increased Oversight of Accrediting Organizations
A new final rule and fact sheet focus on avoiding conflicts of interest between accrediting organizations and providers.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is strengthening its oversight of organizations that accredit Medicare durable medical equipment suppliers, including those that provide Complex Rehab Technology. A June 12 fact sheet from CMS focused on the obligations of accrediting organizations (AOs) that survey Medicare and Medicaid suppliers. In the fact sheet, CMS emphasized…
Commentary: Appreciating CRT’s Beating Heart
Seeing last week’s Chicago Abilities Expo and Abilities International Accessibility Conference with fresh eyes.
I entered the Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) industry in January 2002. I’m proud of my tenure, of launching Mobility Management, a publication devoted entirely and only to seating and wheeled mobility, and growing it through recessions and countless policy changes. But because of my experience, it had been a long time since I’ve seen this…
American Association of Neuromuscular Medicine Issues ALS Guidance for DME, Services
The guidance emphasizes the need for proactive planning due to the quick progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
New medical standard guidance from the American Association of Neuromuscular Medicine (AANEM) has provided an extensive list of “medically indicated services and equipment” for people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The list “builds on a scoping literature review published in Muscle & Nerve and on patient and professional stakeholder interviews,” AANEM added in publishing…
Patient Organizations: Medicaid Interim Final Rule Will Cause Massive Coverage Loss
Advocacy groups are also concerned about documentation burdens.
Healthcare organizations — including a group of 48 nonprofit, nonpartisan patient associations — are expressing concern over the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) interim final rule requiring “80 hours per month of qualifying activities, such as employment, participation in certain work programs, or community service, or [enrollment] in educational programs at least half…
Medicaid Interim Final Rule Spells Out Work Requirements, Exemptions
Interim rule provisions are effective July 31, 2026.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) new interim final rule will implement “a new statutory requirement for certain adults in Medicaid to meet an 80-hours-per-month work requirement — sometimes referred to as Medicaid community engagement — as a condition of eligibility.” In its June 1 announcement, CMS said states “must generally implement this…
Ultralightweight Frame Upgrade Bill Heads to Full Committee Following Markup
The Choices for Increased Mobility Act will be considered by the Energy & Commerce committee in the U.S. House.
[Updated May 22] The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) reported May 22 that H.R. 1703 passed the U.S. House’s Energy and Commerce committee with a unanimous 45-0 vote on May 21. The House bill that would provide a clearer path for Medicare beneficiaries to upgrade to titanium or carbon fiber frames for their ultralightweight wheelchairs…
Nebraska Prepares to Enact Medicaid Work Requirements on May 1
The state will become the first to launch the work policy signed into law last July.
On May 1, Nebraska will become the first state to begin enforcing the Medicaid work requirements in H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed into law on July 4, 2025. Here’s what to know as the work requirement policy gets underway. — Nebraska is ahead of schedule. Jan. 1, 2027, is the official…
Commentary: 4 Takeaways from the DME MAC PMD/Seat Elevation LCDs Meeting
Individual consideration, prior authorization and other key talking points from the March 25 virtual event.
If our same-day coverage of the March 25 DME MAC-hosted local coverage determinations (LCDs) meeting for power mobility devices and seat elevation was TL;DR — here are the highlights, as well as our take on their potential impact. — It’s all about preserving individual consideration and access. The DME MACs — Noridian Healthcare Solutions (Jurisdictions…