The Wheeled Mobility and Seating Evaluation tool used for years by many seating clinicians has been updated for 2024 and is being shared by the National Coalition for Assistive & Rehab Technology (NCART).
In an Oct. 16 bulletin to Complex Rehab Technology professionals, NCART said, “This updated version includes additional evaluation and justification information that reflects findings in peer-reviewed research, supports new products and design innovation, and in response to third-party payor denials.
“There is now a clear delineation of the areas where it may be permissible for the supplier ATP [Assistive Technology Professional] to complete, as part of the team approach to the evaluation and recommendation process, and new clinician and supplier attestations have been added to confirm improper practices, such as scribing, have not occurred.”
This latest version of the form is 17 pages long. After basic information such as the client’s name, medical history and other identifying data, the form includes sections on current mobility equipment and seating systems and components; an evaluation of the client’s home and community environments; and the types of transportation the client will use.
The form also contains sections detailing the client’s current ability to perform activities of daily living, either independently or with caregiver assistance, using or without using mobility equipment; bowel and bladder management; verbal communication methods; and the client’s processing skills related to using wheeled mobility, including visual processing, motor planning and execution, and safety awareness for self and others.
The clinical parts of the form include sections on pain, sensation, skin integrity, range of motion, balance, and neuro-motor factors such as hypertonicity and hypotonicity.
The form provides in-depth sections for seated measurements, seated posture, the client’s ability to transfer, ambulation, wheelchair skills, and equipment trials and results.
Then the form provides sections for mobility base recommendations and justification — power and manual — as well as seating and positioning equipment recommendations and justification.
The form ends with follow-up plans and plans for care, with sections for the patient, therapist, supplier and physician to sign and date the document.
