Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/36987
HME NEWS / AUGUST 2011 / WWW.HMENEWS.COM Briefing connects rehab, HME BY ELIZABETH DEPREY, Associate Editor WASHINGTON – Industry stakehold- ers in June got another chance to insert home medical equipment into a larger discussion. At a June 23 congressional briefing, speakers talked about the continuum of care patients receive APTA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23 not only to policymakers and other medical professionals, but also to help influence contemporary physical ther- apy practice and educational opportunities for therapists,” said Laura Cohen, a PT and co-coordinator of The Clini- cian Task Force. While the motion does not explicitly mention creating a separate benefit for complex rehab, stakeholders said it’s a step in that direction. Jodie Stogner “It will definite- ly help to make a sep- arate bene- fit for com- plex rehab to have an agency or organization outside of DME recognize complex rehab as a specialty,” said Jodie Stogn- er, a PT, ATP/SMS and rehab product specialist-Missis- sippi at Pride Mobility Prod- ucts/Quantum Rehab. Creating a separate bene- fit for CRT would recognize complex power wheelchairs as specialized and service- intensive products and might shield it from potential reim- bursement cuts to DME. Allison Fracchia, PT, ATP/ SMS at Jackson, Miss.-based Methodist Rehab Center, sees other benefits included in APTA’s motion. “I am thrilled that our organization recognized the need to advocate for people who use assistive technol- ogy,” Fracchia said. “And I think it’s great that they see the need for an interdisci- plinary approach and also to support appropriate funding (for CRT therapists.)” Cohen said she was proud that 10 states co-sponsored the motion, which was intro- duced by Georgia, and that it received a unanimous vote in favor. The APTA motion comes on the heels of a similar motion passed in April by the American Occupational Therapists Association. HME through rehabilitation, includ- ing the role HME plays in that process, said Seth Johnson, vice president of government affairs for Pride Mobility, who attended the hearing. “Any time you have the level of speakers—from the physician and clinician and consumer commu- nity—talking about the positive role that DME plays in the overall healthcare continuum, it serves to elevate the DME industry to some degree,” said Johnson. The standing room only crowd heard from speakers like Dr. Gerard Francisco, Congress- woman Gabby Giffords’ attending rehabilitation physician. As healthcare coverage policies get re-defined under the Afford- able Care Act, it’s vital to draw attention to the importance of home care, said Don Clayback, executive director of NRRTS, who attended the hearing. Cara Bachenheimer, senior vice president of government relations for Invacare, said the good turn- out for the briefing was an indi- cation that staffers want to learn Mobility 25 more about the industry. “The whole sector needs more exposure—what it is, what it does and what’s involved,” she said. With government funding for health care under scrutiny, the timing of the briefing was critical. “We want to highlight this issue, especially in light of all the debt negotiations and deficit negotia- tions on the Hill,” said Alex Ben- newith, senior manager of govern- ment affairs for AAHomecare. HME THE NEW CORPUS 3G The same comfort you’ve come to expect from the Corpus, now enhanced. Follows the contours of the body. Infi nite adjustments for a custom fi t. Reclines a full 175º. Dura Core Tilt offers up to 50° of tilt. A seating system designed for comfort beyond comparison… BROUGHT TO YOU ONLY BY PERMOBIL. See more @ permobil.com Follow us.