Redefining Rehab: New Rehab Coalition Forms

An independent coalition of advocates has formed to address specific issues in the home medical equipment industry’s high-end rehabilitation sector. The National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology (NCART) will provide highly focused attention to the needs of suppliers and manufacturers who concentrate primarily on dealing in high-end rehab and assistive technology products.

Based in Washington, D.C., the new organization was, at press time, scheduled to be operational in early February, according to Rita Hostak, vice president of government relations for Sunrise Medical, Longmont, Colo. Hostak will serve as NCART president and chairman of the board.

“This is a critical time for rehab and assistive technology companies,” says Hostak. “There must be a concentrated effort in order to ensure access to the technology and services critical to the independence, the function and the quality of life for the millions of adults and children with disabilities.”

According to a joint press release issued by NCART and the Alexandria, Va.-based American Association for Homecare, NCART will primarily be focused on four key areas during its inaugural year. First, the coalition will address the challenges surrounding coding, coverage and reimbursement under the implementation of HIPAA. A second focus will be on Medicaid reimbursement and coverage changes that are threatening access to rehab technology across the country. Third, competitive bidding and the necessity for a carve-out of rehab and assistive technology will be pursued. And fourth, the durable medical equipment regional carriers’ recently issued clarification regarding the qualification criteria for power wheelchairs will be addressed.

“We believe the survival of our profession is at stake,” says Gary Gilberti, president of Baltimore-based Chesapeake Rehab and vice president of the new organization. “We must not only fight to ensure access; we must also educate key decision-makers about who we are, what we do and the critical role we play in the lives of our customers. NCART will provide us with these opportunities.”

“I understand the need for a focused effort by a separate coalition that only represents high-end rehab providers,” says Joel Mills, current AAHomecare chairman and president of Advanced Homecare, Greensboro, N.C.

“AAHomecare will continue to represent its rehab technology provider and manufacturer members through its Rehab and Assistive Technology Council (RATC). Among the issues that AAHomecare and the RATC will tackle are competitive bidding, FEHBP pricing reductions, Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement issues and clarification of the recent DMERC LMRP (Local Medical Review Policy) issuance narrowing power wheelchair coverage criteria.”

Mills also says that AAHomcare and NCART will work together on common issues, adding that “there won’t be a duplication of efforts.”

“When AAHomecare was founded three years ago, we felt there was a significant need for one association to provide a strong, unified voice for the home care industry,” says Mike Hammes, CEO of Sunrise Medical. “Today, the issues require a separate coalition intensely focused on high-end rehab and assistive technology products and services. The NCART will be a boutique, if you will, to target the issues that impact this niche market.”

Simon Margolis, vice president of clinical and professional development for National Seating & Mobility, Chattanooga, Tenn., and president of the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA), will be an at-large member of NCART’s executive committee. Don Clayback, vice president of networks, The Med Group, Lubbock, Texas, will serve as the organization’s secretary-treasurer.

For more information on NCART, contact Rita Hostak at [email protected].