Mobility Management Podcast

Power wheelchair drive-wheel configuration impacts the power chair rider's overall experience, from ease of maneuverability in tighter spaces to the ability to access a range of indoor and outdoor environments. John Domanick, Merits USA's vice president of sales, discusses the importance of drive-wheel configuration in meeting clients' goals, and also provides updates on Merits USA's recent projects, including the launches of the manufacturer's front-wheel-drive AXCEL and AXCEL Narrow power chairs, designed to benefit both clients and CRT providers/service technicians.

Burdened by overly complicated documentation requirements, inadequate funding, and unwieldy operations, Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) repair has always been an arduous challenge. Then the COVID pandemic's supply chain delays and labor shortages broke an already struggling system. At the heart of the repair issue remain the wheelchair riders whose mobility is at stake. Diane Racicot (VP of Payer Relations at National Seating & Mobility) and Wayne Grau (Executive Director of NCART) discuss the frustrations felt by stakeholders, as well as what repair resolution will require.

Historically, custom seating has been considered something of a last resort for wheelchair riders who cannot be accommodated any other way. Now that new technology has greatly reduced the timeline for its creation and delivery, should custom seating be considered sooner in the assessment process? Ride Designs' Tom Hetzel discusses how to determine when off-the-shelf seating systems are — and are not — the optimal choice.

Digital enablement sounds impressive — but what does it really mean? And can it work in a people-centric industry such as Complex Rehab Technology (CRT), where relationships and communication are everything? Numotion's Bret Barczak (Chief Marketing Officer & Executive Vice President, Retail Division) and Elizabeth Floegel (Chief Information & Digital Officer) discuss the many efficiencies that digitization can offer today's CRT provider… and why people will always be key to successful CRT outcomes.

Complex Rehab Technology manufacturers design power wheelchairs for a wide range of stakeholders. Consumers, caregivers, clinicians, providers, and technicians all have their own priorities, while payers want to get the most function while paying the lowest possible cost. Bret Tracy, ATP, and Josh Haynes from Merits Health Products discuss how they balance those priorities — not to mention Medicare funding based on in-the-home usage — and what questions suppliers should consider when choosing which power chairs to provide.

While wheelchair seating often prioritizes the positioning of the client's pelvis, supporting upper extremities is also crucial to efficient functioning and mobility-related activities of daily living. In this episode, Tina Roesler, PT, MS, the Director of Clinical and Business Development for Bodypoint, explains how to identify sub-optimal upper-extremity positioning among people using wheelchairs, and shares a new approach to dynamic upper-extremity positioning.

A landmark proposed decision on Medicare funding for seat elevation should be very encouraging to Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) stakeholders, but several other CRT issues are also demanding attention. In this first podcast of the year with NCART Executive Director Wayne Grau and Associate Director Mickae Lee, Mobility Management Editor Laurie Watanabe asks about power standing (the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has not yet responded to the industry's request for Medicare coverage consideration), the expansion of right-to-repair laws, and what else the industry can expect for 2023.

How do you define a successful ultralightweight wheelchair? How do rolling resistance, rolling dynamics, center of mass, weight distribution, etc., impact that wheelchair's efficiency and function? In this second podcast sponsored by RGK, Josh Anderson and Jim Black — both longtime ultralightweight wheelchair riders — and Sarah Leonard, PT, DPT, ATP, discuss the manufacturer's made-to-measure custom-building process, why individualized configurations are crucial, and the many benefits of optimizing these “wheeled prosthetics.”

So many factors impact ride quality for people who propel their own wheelchairs. Can truly building that wheelchair around its rider — a process that manufacturer RGK refers to as “made to measure” — make a difference in the overall rider experience? RGK's Josh Anderson, Jim Black, and Sarah Leonard, PT, DPT, ATP, explain the significance of made-to-measure's precise calculations, how made to measure differs from custom configuration, and what a better ride can ultimately mean to people who use ultralightweight wheelchairs.

While consumers who use seating and wheeled mobility equipment are the ultimate Complex Rehab Technology and DME customers, suppliers also work with a number of other stakeholders every day, including all-important referral sources. In this podcast sponsored by ATLAS Enterprise Software, CEO Bill Paul and Chief Innovation Officer Diana Escalera explain the benefits for suppliers who nurture their relationships with referral sources, and how efficiently handling prescriptions can strengthen those collaborations by providing timely, accurate, excellent customer service.

With a busy, productive summer 2022 now in the rear-view mirror, NCART Executive Director Wayne Grau and Associate Director Mickae Lee provide a recap and an update on priorities for the rest of 2022 into 2023, as exiting Executive Director Don Clayback says good-bye.

Reimbursement is at the heart of so many Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) challenges — and in recent years, CRT providers have faced a perfect storm of pandemic-driven supply chain delays and increased business costs, complicated by surging fuel prices, labor shortages, and overall inflation. Too often, the impact has been longer wait times for equipment delivery and repairs. National Seating & Mobility's CEO Bill Mixon and Chief Revenue Cycle Officer Charles Sargeant discuss impactful reimbursement reforms that could keep pace with current and future events… while also mitigating service delays that are fueling the Right to Repair consumer movement.

The COVID-19 pandemic has redefined how Complex Rehab Technology providers do business, from seating evaluations to equipment deliveries, repairs and service. Jeff Preston, Director of Product & Marketing at Motion (formerly Motion Specialties), discusses how the national Canadian provider has identified and implemented solutions over the last few years, as well as trends its ATPs have noticed among seating and wheeled mobility clients.

It's a challenge for smaller Complex Rehab Technology and mobility providers to distinguish themselves from the competition. But optimal product selection can be one way to stand out. In this WHILL-sponsored podcast, VP of Sales Justin Gagnon discusses what providers should look for when choosing products to carry, while Doug Mykol, Managing Partner at New Tech Mobility, explains his product selection process for this new business.

Due to the immense amount of documentation required by payers, operational efficiency is crucial for a Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) or Durable Medical Equipment (DME) business to be successful. In the third episode in the ATLAS Technology Group-sponsored series, CEO William Paul and Chief Innovation Officer Diana Escalera discuss how to leverage technology to make the documentation and justification process more accurate, consistent, and efficient, to the benefit of the provider, clinical partners, consumers and caregivers, and the funding sources themselves.

NCART's Don Clayback and Mickae Lee preview a busy summer in Complex Rehab Technology (CRT), as the industry awaits a CMS power seat elevation and standing public comment period, and advocates get ready for August's CRT Awareness Week and September's virtual Congressional fly-in.

As the National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers (NRRTS) celebrates its 30th anniversary, Executive Director Weesie Walker discusses how the job of Rehab Technology Suppliers (RTS) has changed over the years, the current challenges they face, and how NRRTS plans to raise up and educate the next RTS generation for the benefit of all Complex Rehab Technology stakeholders. 

Evaluation-to-delivery (E-to-D) times for Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) can balloon for many reasons, from the sheer volume of information that payors ask for to the fact that different payors can have significantly different justification requirements. In this podcast sponsored by ATLAS Clinical Evals Software (ACES), ATLAS CEO Bill Paul and Joe McKnight, ATP/SMS, CRTS, discuss the most common causes of E-to-D delays and how to streamline the documentation process to benefit all members of the seating team, from client and caregivers to clinicians, referral sources, funding sources… and yes, the ATP.

Historically, service and repair departments at Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) and HME businesses have underperformed, existing mainly to support clinicians and consumers, but with few expectations for growth or profitability. Bill Paul (CEO of ATLAS Technology/co-CEO ATLAS-FIOS) and Matthew Macpherson (ATP, co-CEO of ATLAS-FIOS) discuss why so many service departments underachieve, how investing in service makes sound business sense, and what tools are available to assess and address each service department's unique needs and goals.

The pandemic has made employees re-evaluate what they want from their jobs, while perspectives from younger workers — Millennials and Zoomers — are making companies rethink their workplace culture and policies. National Seating & Mobility CEO Bill Mixon and Chief Human Resources Officer Ann Mahaffey discuss employment trends, why job satisfaction will hinge on more than just a paycheck going forward, and what it will take to build successful workplaces in the future.

Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) relies on innovation to meet the evolving needs and goals of people with disabilities. But is CRT a nurturing environment for new ideas and new technology? LUCI co-founders Barry Dean and Jered Dean discuss barriers to new technology and how stakeholders can work together toward more successful seating and mobility outcomes.

In the best of times, working in Complex Rehab Technology is physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging. CRT professionals work hard to take care of others... but who's taking care of CRT professionals? Patrick Boardman, ATP, shares what he's hearing  from colleagues... and explains why self care must also be an industry priority.

NCART's Executive Director Don Clayback and Associate Director Mickae Lee recap Complex Rehab Technology issues that have carried over from 2021, and discuss the policy and advocacy priorities they're working on as the industry looks to move forward from the pandemic.

Twenty years ago, Rick Graver, ATP, the owner of Medtech Services Inc. in Reno, Nev., wrote a Mobility Management column on providing excellent wheelchair service. Listen to why Rick thinks service is still king — and why independent providers are still critically important to CRT and DME — in this premiere episode of our 20th anniversary series.

Mark Schmeler, Director of the International Seating Symposium (ISS), and Barry Steelman, founder of Steelman Marketing, discuss pandemic-related format changes to the 2022 ISS... and what this year's changes mean for future events.

Transportation is one of many factors that can determine how successfully a wheelchair with complex seating will be used in the community. Danny Langfield, CEO of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA), joins the Mobility Management podcast to discuss how collaborations between adaptive automotive dealers and Complex Rehab Technology professionals can create better outcomes for consumers and families.

In this special episode in collaboration with NCART, Brook McCall, Erin Michael, Mike Osborn, and Mickae Lee share why and how they advocate to preserve consumer access to Complex Rehab Technology... plus tips on how they create meaningful, memorable conversations while overcoming public speaking jitters.

In NCART's 2021 Q3 update, Executive Director Don Clayback and Associate Director Mickae Lee recap the recent Medicare policy change for Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) manual wheelchair accessories; preview advocacy opportunities for CRT Awareness Week; and discuss NCART's next priorities.

Two of the most common seating and wheeled mobility-related frustrations for consumers are how long it can take to take delivery of a Complex Rehab wheelchair and then how long it can take to get that chair repaired. National Seating & Mobility's Gerry Dickerson and Charles Sargeant discuss current documentation requirements, as well as critical opportunities to reduce these timelines for end users and their families.

As the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) issues are accelerating. NCART's Don Clayback and Mickae Lee return to update CRT stakeholders on Medicare's manual wheelchair accessories policy — a June 30 deadline approaches — as well as to share news on power standing and seat elevation funding, and telehealth bills being considered in Congress. 

The future of complex seating and wheeled mobility is often described in terms of evolving or breakthrough technology. But the future of Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) will also be defined and shaped by its people and its leadership. Pooja Viswanathan, Ph.D., explains how her background in academia led to her to co-found Braze Mobility, manufacturer of blind-spot wheelchair sensors, and how her vision as a young, female CEO is impacting Braze Mobility and perhaps CRT as a whole.

Today's Complex Rehab power wheelchair bases are technological marvels — but the key to ultimate success is still the seating team's ability to understand each client's daily goals and functional requirements. Angie Kiger and Jeff Rogers of Sunrise Medical discuss the power of consumer choice, along with drive-wheel differences and the impact of suspension on everyday life.

As the world plans to emerge from 2020's COVID-19 pandemic, the Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) industry is working with a new administration in Washington, D.C., while also advancing ongoing policy goals. NCART's Don Clayback and Mickae Lee return to the Mobility Management podcast to update stakeholders on first-quarter priorities for 2021, which range from telehealth and remote services policies to what happens next with creating a separate benefit category for Medicare.

Justin Richardson, a former ATP supplier, is now Director of Advocacy Strategy at Numotion and Executive Director of the Numotion Foundation. He's also a longtime manual wheelchair user and a dad. From this position as both consumer and professional, Justin shares his perspectives on the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with disabilities, why self-advocacy can be challenging, and how he's raising his young daughter to be part of a wiser, more compassionate and inclusive next generation.

While making the best Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) seating and wheeled mobility choices can be all about exacting measurements and attention to detail, the best overall outcomes can also depend on how well ATP clinicians and providers know their clients. Sunrise Medical's Angie Kiger, M.Ed., CTRS, ATP/SMS, talks about the value of giving CRT clients and families room to be human, and why encouraging and embracing people as they truly are offers its own rewards and successes.

Is providing pediatric wheeled mobility really an “early intervention”? Or does mobility need to be provided “on time” to facilitate a young child’s cognitive, social and emotional development? Cole Galloway (University of Delaware and founder of Go Baby Go) and Amy Morgan (Permobil) discuss passive vs. active mobility for the very young child, how mobility shapes children’s perceptions and the perceptions of the people around them, and a new innovation in child-centered mobility.

Cutting back on marketing efforts is often the first move that companies make in times of crisis. But with the world currently isolated due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Steelman Marketing founder Barry Steelman says, "A time like this is when a focused marketing strategy can get you the most for your dollar." Learn how smart marketing can pay off now while also positioning a company for future success... even on a modest budget.

Steve Mitchell, OTR/L, ATP, is a Clinical Specialist in Seating and Wheeled Mobility and Assistive Technology for the Spinal Cord Injury and Disorder Service at the VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System in Cleveland. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, he had to figure out how to build and configure extremely complex power wheelchairs and alternative driving controls for veterans with ALS, spinal cord injury, or advanced multiple sclerosis... without being in the same room as his clients. Steve shares what's worked in his telehealth experiences, including the technology at the heart of the seating team's strategies. 

The COVID-19 pandemic is changing lives and routines around the world... but could some changes, such as working from home and expanded online learning infrastructure, actually be helpful to people with disabilities? Karen Roy, a Numotion Ambassador who's also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a full-time wheelchair user, talks about new opportunities to make the world more inclusive and accessible. Plus: Stay tuned after the podcast for a bonus outtake.

As a powered seating option, tilt has become a common and popular choice. Posterior, anterior, and lateral tilt can be used singly or in combination to accomplish a number of goals, from pressure relief and catheter care to improved visual field, swallowing, and transfers. Brad Peterson of Amylior talks about the many capabilities of tilt and why it's important to understand seating goals before choosing any powered seating intervention.

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly tested the Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) industry, but it's also accelerated the trial and adoption of remote services, telehealth, and other successful strategies. As the initial Public Health Emergency gives way to reopenings and a "new normal," NCART's Don Clayback and Mickae Lee discuss national and state CRT priorities for the next phase and beyond.

The footprint of a manual or power wheelchair has a huge impact on how well the wheelchair maneuvers... which ultimately impacts how much the wheelchair is used and how successfully. Russ Rolt, Director of Sales for PDG Mobility, explains why a wheelchair's real-world footprint is far more than just its width and length, and how better understanding the client's environment, activities and lifestyle can lead to better outcomes.

After 26 years in Complex Rehab Technology, Ming Chang has come full circle by announcing a new venture... in the midst of a pandemic. He's also been checking in with ATPs each week. Hear what they've told him, how they're being impacted by current events, how those events could shape the future of CRT, and what traits about CRT are unlikely to change at all.

Bill Mixon, CEO of National Seating & Mobility, discusses the qualities and experiences — from leadership skills to education and mentoring — that create successful Assistive Technology Professionals (ATPs), and how and why the best ATP suppliers can lift up the entire Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) industry.

Compliance isn't just a good corporate policy. Implemented the right way, it can earn Complex Rehab Technology providers the crucial trust of clinicians, referral sources, payors and consumers. Tim Casey, Chief Compliance Officer/General Counsel for Numotion, discusses why traditional "fear-based" compliance isn't nearly as effective as making compliance a matter of everyday leadership, communication and education… and the tremendous dividends that can result.

Power-assist systems that support self-propulsion among manual wheelchair users isn't a new technology. But what is new is applying this technology proactively, rather than as a response to injury or chronic fatigue. Permobil's Curtis Merring, OTR, MOT, explains why power-assist should be considered for more wheelchair users, and the advantages of using this technology early in a wheelchair user's life.

When anterior (forward) tilt combines with seat elevation, the results are what Permobil calls “Active Reach” and “Active Height,” the ability for power wheelchair users to more safely and efficiently perform activities of daily living ranging from transfers to cooking, eating and brushing their teeth. Ginger Walls, PT, MS, NCS, ATP/SMS, the Regional Clinical Education Manager for Permobil, explains the applications for this new powered seating combination, as well as the funding landscape.

Gait training has so many benefits, not only for mobility (with a goal of independent mobility), but also for many bodily functions, not to mention cognitive and social development. But adding a dynamic component to more closely simulate how the body moves as it ambulates can have a tremendous impact on success. Elena Noble, PT, MPT, from Rifton discusses the advantages to introducing a dynamic component to pediatric gait-training programs.