Mobility

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Crispin Teufel has spent the first 90 days as CEO of National Seating & Mobility traveling to different branches and spending time with employees in different divisions to help determine the best path forward for the company.  Teufel was named CEO in November, replacing Chuck Bodner, CFO, who served as interim CEO.  “I’ve really been on a mission to listen and learn from the organization,” he said. “I’ve spent time in every job...

TROY, Mich. – Private equity-backed Best Life Brands, the new owner of Next Day Access, believes it has the track record to grow the company significantly in the next few years.   Best Life Brands, which is owned by The Riverside Company, has a portfolio of franchise companies that includes Blue Moon Estate Sales, an estate sales service that has grown from 25 to 125 locations since 2019.  “We strongly believe there are parallels between Next Day Access and Blue Moon...

BRADENTON, Fla. – Hoveround has launched Hoveround Mobility Solutions, allowing the well-known name in standard mobility devices to expand into complex rehab technology, and positioning it to become a major player in that largely consolidated market.  Leading the new venture is Adam Frerichs, CEO of Hoveround, who also leads MedSupply, a provider based in California that made a similar move in 2021, launching MedSupply Mobility Solutions.  “With Hoveround, the company...

MANCHESTER, N.H. – Mobius Mobility now has coveted Medicare coverage for its iBOT, the “last mile” of the company’s go-to-market strategy for the multi-mode power wheelchair, says Lucas Merrow.  The process of obtaining Medicare coverage included, among other things, getting the iBOT tested by a Medicare-approved lab and, because Mobius Mobility, itself, is billing the agency for the device, getting accredited (the company chose the Accreditation Commission for...

TROY, Mich. – Best Life Brands, a private equity owned franchise organization with a portfolio of brands serving the senior care market, has acquired Next Day Access, a provider of residential and commercial home access solutions across the United States and Canada.  By combining Next Day Access' operational excellence with Best Life Brands' extensive network and resources, including the support of Best Life Brands’ private equity owner, The Riverside Company, the companies...

WATERLOO, Iowa – U.S. Rehab has announced that RESNA will have an increased presence at the Heartland Conference this year, giving complex rehab technology professionals more opportunities to access education and networking.  RESNA, whose board of directors last year opted to pause its annual conference, will provide several sessions for Heartland’s rehab track.  “There has always been a rehab track at Heartland, but we’re adding 50% more CRT education than...

WASHINGTON – Complex rehab stakeholders are disappointed in CMS’s payment rate for seat elevation systems and have requested a meeting with the agency to learn more about how it landed on about $2,000.  That rate is lower than the $2,800, on average, that providers are being paid for the systems on an interim basis, and significantly lower than the rate stakeholders had recommended.  “The payment piece was disappointing,” said Wayne Grau, executive director...

ATLANTA – Work on the CRT Supplier Certificate Program has picked up pace now that it’s Weesie Walker’s only focus, she says.  Walker, an ATP/SMS, stepped away from her role as executive director of NRRTS last year partly to focus on the program, which she believes is key to giving providers practical and real-life education and training that’s specific to complex rehab.  “There’s a shortage of qualified people and so I wish we had started this...

WASHINGTON – CMS has announced coding and payment information for seat elevation systems for complex rehab power wheelchairs, AAHomecare has reported.  The key takeaways, according to the association:  Discontinues existing HCPCS Level II code E2300, “Wheelchair accessory, power seat elevation system, any type,” effective March 31, 2024  Establishes E2298, “Complex rehabilitative power wheelchair accessory, power seat elevation system, any...

CANTON, Ohio – Katie Fitzgerald says the Clinician Task Force, where she is a new executive board member, is a good place to channel her passions for advocacy, data and what she calls “knowledge translation.”  Fitzgerald, PT, DPT, NCS, teaches in the physical therapy program at Walsh University in Canton, Ohio, but prior to making the switch to academia, she was a clinician for 15 years.  HME News: How did you get interested in specializing in complex rehab technology?  Katie...