The National Coalition for Assistive & Rehab Technology (NCART) has chosen Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) industry veteran Julie Piriano, PT, ATP/SMS, to be its new senior director of payer relations & regulatory affairs.

NCART said in a May 6 news announcement that Piriano will be working “to ensure that all payers and insurers follow policy and cover required equipment and services.”

Piriano, a 40-year industry veteran, most recently served as the VP of clinical education, rehab industry affairs, and was also the compliance officer for Pride Mobility Products and Quantum Rehab.

During her industry tenure, Piriano has been a national and international speaker and educator while focusing on the topics of seating evaluation, documentation and clinical applications of various forms of CRT equipment.

She is a board member for the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA), is a member of the Clinician Task Force, and serves on many other industry boards and committees, including the editorial advisory board of Mobility Management.

“NCART and our members are excited to have Julie join in this important new role,” said Wayne Grau, NCART’s executive director, in the announcement. “Her experience working with a variety of stakeholders, including government agencies, regulators, payers and consumers, will strengthen our team and provide leadership on issues that are critical to our members.”

“NCART has been an invaluable resource for the CRT industry, and I look forward to working collaboratively with our members to strengthen their relationships with payers and regulators,” Piriano added in the announcement. Piriano begins in her new NCART role on May 13.