The Midwest Association for Medical Equipment Services (MAMES) Board of Directors voted in October at its meeting held during the association’s annual Fall Conference to add a Home Modification/Accessibility Committee to its working committees that benefits its members.
MAMES Executive Director Rose Schafhauser stated the purpose of adding such a committee: “There are several MAMES members and potential members who are providers of home modifications/accessibility such as overhead, vertical and inclined lifts, ramps, walk-in bathtubs, etc. The home modification/accessibility market is in its infancy, and it is anticipated that it will continue to grow, in both need and importance. Currently, there is no known association to represent the industry in this evolving market, and we need to make sure that their voice is heard as policies are developed at the local, state, and federal levels.”
As is true of Complex Rehab Technology and HME, state subsidies play an important funding role for those who cannot afford such services. Home modification/accessibility providers need a voice in the development and direction of these programs as the demand for such services increases.
Several MAMES members volunteered to participate in the task force that explored the possibility of forming a home modification/accessibility committee or subgroup within MAMES similar to what MAMES did with the Rehab Committee in 2011. The task force came up with several goals for the committee, mainly focusing on the needs and issues specific to home modifications/accessibility in MAMES states; educate and increase awareness with government and other policy makers, payer sources and the general public; and to advocate for policy of appropriate and ethical funding for home modification/accessibility services, as driven by a focus for need-based outcomes vs. profit.
The mission of the new committee is to create and maintain a high level of ethical standards for the home modification/accessibility industry through professional education, credentialing, advocacy and collaboration.
The leadership of the committee is Chairperson, Jerry Keiderling, Accessible Home Improvement of America (AHIA); Vice Chairperson: Gary Johnson, Sanford HealthCare Accessories; Subcommittee leaders: Blair Ferguson and Timothy Burfield, Beyond Barriers; and MAMES Board of Directors Liaison: Greg Lord, Great Plains Rehabilitation Services. Volunteers from the Task Force have become members of the committee. Additional volunteers are being recruited so all 7 of the MAMES states, along with companies involved in the home modification industry such as manufacturers, distributors, or related associates who work with the providers, are represented.
Timothy Burfield had this to say of the addition of the committee to MAMES: “Congratulations to the leadership of MAMES for taking this opportunity to improve the professionalism and enhance the influence of their members involved with Home Modification and Accessibility. Our committee could become a model for HMA advocacy around the country.”
The Midwest Association for Medical Equipment Services (MAMES) is an organization of firms that provide home medical equipment and services. MAMES is dedicated to providing our membership the best communication and networking opportunities available to succeed in this ever changing home medical equipment and services industry. We serve members in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. For more information go to www.mames.com.