March 2022
Each month "NCART News" delivers the latest Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) Medicare and Medicaid updates, advocacy opportunities, and event information all in one place.
Executive Director Don Clayback Departs September 30
We wanted to announce that Executive Director Don Clayback will be leaving NCART on September 30. The full press release can be read here. 

Chris Yule, NCART President, stated “Don has been a true leader and an incredibly effective advocate for the CRT industry and the individuals with disabilities we serve. The Board of Directors and I sincerely thank him for his years of direction and dedication.” He also shared, “We have formed a Search Committee to hire the next Executive Director so we can continue NCART’s important advocacy work at the federal and state levels and Don will be staying on through September 30 to ensure a smooth transition.”  

Clayback said, “I am truly grateful for the opportunities I have had at NCART to help protect and improve access to CRT for people with disabilities. It has been an honor to advocate to ensure the children and adults we serve receive the highest quality equipment and supporting services they deserve to live full and independent lives.” He continued, “I thank all the dedicated advocates and organizations of the CRT community for their commitment and am confident NCART will continue its important work for many years to come.”

We thank our NCART members and all CRT stakeholders for your ongoing support as we continue our important work. Questions for the Board of Directors can be submitted by clicking the button below. 
CRT Telehealth Extended Past Public Health Emergency
Earlier this month, Congress passed an omnibus appropriations bill to fund the government for the remainder of the 2022 fiscal year. While a larger COVID-19 package was not a part of the bill, it did include a key provision that CRT stakeholders were pleased to see. The legislation extended the current COVID-19 telehealth flexibilities permitted during the Public Health Emergency (PHE) to remain in place for an additional 151 days after the end of the PHE. 

The current PHE is expected to continue until at least mid-July, which means that telehealth flexibilities should be available until at least mid-December. For CRT this extension means that the temporary designation of physical therapists (PTs) and occupational therapists (OTs) as authorized telehealth practitioners will likely remain through the year. This telehealth option has proven to be an important benefit to individuals with disabilities who rely on CRT for their mobility and independence and require a PT or OT evaluation as part of the provision process.

While this extension provides CRT users additional time, it is still important that advocates reach out to their Members of Congress to request that PTs and OTs be permanently designated as authorized as telehealth practitioners to ensure continued access to CRT when in-person visits are not an option. For more details and to email Congress, click the button below.
Medicare Coverage of Seat Elevation and Standing Systems
CRT stakeholders continue to work with the ITEM Coalition to get CMS to take the next steps in its process of considering Medicare coverage for power wheelchair seat elevation and standing systems. This past month meetings were held with Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), long-time initiative supporters, to update them on the status of the coverage request. They have both agreed to communicate with CMS directly to elevate the need for overdue CMS action. We thank these Congressional CRT Access Champions for their continued commitment to the CRT community and this initiative. More information will be shared as it becomes available.
RESNA ATP Job Analysis Survey - Closes April 1
Every five years RESNA conducts a job analysis survey for the Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) credential. RESNA’s Executive Director Andrea Van Hook shared the purpose of this important research, “This job task analysis is a systematic and empirical review of the tasks conducted in a job or profession along with the knowledge, skills, abilities, tools, and equipment needed to successfully perform those tasks.”

RESNA utilizes the submitted survey data to ensure the ATP certification remains relevant by reflecting topical practices and required knowledge. It is also designed to confirm the certification maintains needed consumer protection.

Time is of the essence as the survey is only open until Friday. It can be completed in 30-40 minutes by clicking the button below. RESNA is encouraging all interested stakeholders to participate (ATP designation is not required). As a thank you, respondents are awarded 1 RESNA contact hour.

We highly encourage CRT industry professionals to complete this RESNA survey by April 1 to support continued excellence in the credentialing of ATPs. Thank you in advance for your participation!
NCART State CRT Work
Coverage and funding at the state level play a key role in the availability and provision of CRT products and supporting services. NCART offers providers, manufacturers, associations, and policy makers strategic advice and direct advocacy on state issues to protect and improve access to CRT.

When a significant access issue regarding CRT is identified within a state, NCART's Payer Relations Committee and our state workgroups convene to review the problem, identify needed solutions, and implement the necessary advocacy plans. Below is a summary of some of our ongoing work:
California - A stakeholder workgroup continues to work with the Department regarding the implementation of the rescission of the 10% Medi-Cal cuts for CRT products; NCART met and discussed concerns regarding access to required CRT evaluations with the California chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association.

Illinois - State legislation has been introduced to address CRT reimbursement rates and improve coverage of repair labor for CRT; an NCART provider workgroup met with the Department in March to discuss and is providing additional information.

North Carolina - NCART submitted comments on state telehealth policy that supported authorizing physical and occupational therapists as permanent telehealth practitioners; NCART provided additional state telehealth policy information to the Clinician Task Force, whose members are conducting discussions with the Medicaid Department. 

Michigan - NCART continues to collaborate with the Michigan Homecare & Hospice Association on state CRT legislation; the legislation passed in the Senate in March and will now be considered by the House; a March meeting was held with the Department to discuss other CRT coverage issues.

Ohio - NCART continues to collaborate with OAMES to collect needed data and address reimbursement for certain ancillary CRT items; a March meeting was held with the Department and discussions are ongoing.

West Virginia - NCART submitted comments on proposed state telehealth policy, requesting that physical and occupational therapists be included as authorized telehealth practitioners.
May 5 CRT Industry Webinar
Mark your calendars for May 5 at 4:00 PM ET and join NCART, NRRTS, U.S. Rehab, and the Clinician Task Force for the next CRT Industry Webinar. These no-cost webinars are a way to stay updated on timely information relevant to the CRT community and to ask questions about policy and advocacy action impacting CRT. Register today by clicking the button below.
Calling All Potential NCART Members
NCART is the national organization of suppliers and manufacturers of Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) products focused on education, collaboration, and advocacy to protect access to CRT. We work with CRT stakeholders at the federal and state level to defend and establish the needed coverage and funding for CRT access.

If your company provides or manufactures CRT and is not yet an NCART member, help us fight negative trends in coverage and payment by joining today. Your membership is crucial! Your support enables us to continue to advocate aggressively to maintain and establish the policies needed to ensure that people with disabilities have access to the specialized equipment and services they require and you provide.  

Learn more about NCART membership by clicking the button below.
Does Swearing Help?
Mobility Management recently shared an article that offers clinical support for speaking your mind when undergoing therapy services. A new study published by the Archives of Physiotherapy indicates that straightforward communication (a.k.a. swearing) may “enhance the therapeutic alliance between a patient and a physical therapist” and lead to “improvements in social pain, physical pain tolerance, and physical pain threshold”.

You can learn more about the study and its findings by visiting the Mobility Management webpage here. 
Upcoming CRT-Related Events
NCART welcomes opportunities to support events that promote CRT education and advocacy. Here are some of the events that we're proud to help publicize:
Monthly Motivation
Empowered with Independence
"This chair is my legs -- this chair is my life," says accessibility champion Jane Velkovski, who uses a wheelchair after being diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). 

On the TED stage, he shares how his first motorized wheelchair "empowered him with independence and ability -- and why assistive technology should be available to anyone who needs it. Freedom of movement, no matter on legs or on wheels, is a human right” he says. Click the video below to listen to Jane's presentation!
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