Once upon a time, power assist for manual wheelchairs was dominated by hub-mounted designs incorporated into the wheelchair’s rear wheels. But over the years, those venerable in-hub systems were joined by power-assist systems that mount to the front or the back of folding or rigid wheelchairs to provide more choices for wheelchair riders and seating…
Power Assist’s Exhilarating Evolution
Commentary: 4 Takeaways from RESNA’s Lying Posture Care Management Position Paper
Optimal positioning when lying down can impact CRT clients’ waking hours, as well.
When getting into bed requires little or no effort, it’s easy to take lying down comfortably for granted. But last week, a new position paper from the Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) addressed bed as a place of pain and discomfort for too many clients with positioning challenges. The paper…
Briefly: CMS Announces California Wildfire Flexibilities; First 2025 Abilities Expo Scheduled for March
Featuring the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Abilities Expo.
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…
RESNA Calls for Comments on Lying Posture Care Management Position Paper
The paper contends that optimal lying posture care management can have a profound impact on a client’s entire day.
The Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) is calling for public comments on a new position paper: RESNA Position on Assistive Technology for Lying Posture Care Management. In a Jan. 6 announcement, RESNA noted that the public comment period “is the final stage for a RESNA position paper. This paper has…
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,…
Nymbl Systems Secures Strategic Investment from Frontier Growth
Nymbl’s cloud-based management software supports CRT and home medical equipment providers.
Nymbl Systems, provider of cloud-based management software for Complex Rehab Technology (CRT), home medical equipment (HME), and orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) businesses, has secured a strategic investment from Frontier Growth. In a Dec. 17 announcement, Columbus, Ohio-based Nymbl Systems said the new investment “provides capital and resources to accelerate Nymbl’s growth, drive continued product innovation,…
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…
Circle Specialty Names New Director of Sales
The Brooklyn-based company specializing in pediatrics has hired an industry veteran.
Circle Specialty’s new director of sales is a Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) industry veteran. In a Dec. 31 press release, Brooklyn, New York-based Circle Specialty announced it has hired John Morgan, best known for his long tenure with positioning/mobility manufacturer Freedom Designs. “Morgan brings over 27 years of experience in the durable medical equipment industry,…
Etac Launches Dual Rockers for R82 Meerkat Stander
The new feature provides a more dynamic experience for its clients.
Etac’s R82 Meerkat dynamic stander is now available with forward/backward and sideways rockers. In a December press release, Etac said, “This versatile standing frame is designed to support various standing therapies and provide unique movement options for young users. The forward/backward rocker is now standard with the Meerkat base, while the lateral rocker is an…
DOT Final Rule: Airlines Required to ‘Meet More Rigorous Standards’ for Passengers with Disabilities
Starting in January, airlines will have additional standards for handling wheelchairs and supporting passengers.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has released a new final rule that includes “new protections for people with disabilities in commercial air travel that will ensure that they can fly safely and with dignity.” A Dec. 16 DOT announcement from DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg added that the new, “more rigorous standards” applied “especially for…