Mobility Solutions spreads out

SAN DIEGO - Mobility Solutions has opened a new office in Los Angeles after snagging a contract with the Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center.

It's a welcome development for Mobility Solutions, which, like other providers, physicians and hospitals in California, has been squeezed by a 5% across-the-board reimbursement cut from Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program, for the past few years.

“It would be nice if the state would restore some of the (payments) they've taken from us, but we're actually doing pretty well, as far as our business is concerned,” said Marty Helsing, owner and president of Mobility Solutions.

Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in Downey is one of the largest rehabilitation hospitals in the country, caring for about 4,000 inpatients and servicing about 71,000 outpatients each year.

Another possible target for expansion for Mobility Solutions, which also has offices in San Diego and Colton: Orange County.

“Out here, it's contracts, contracts, contracts,” Helsing said. “Everyone is going after the same business.”

Everyone including the national complex rehab providers, especially National Seating & Mobility.

“We've been here so long—we've been in San Diego for 25 years—that if you keep doing it right and if you're aggressive, you'll (get the contracts),” Helsing said.

A new governor, Gavin Newsom, is set to assume office on Jan. 7, but Helsing doesn't expect the change in leadership to have much of an impact on Medi-Cal reimbursement.

“We expect him to do a lot of the things that (Gov. Jerry Brown) did—it all comes down to the budget,” he said. “Medi-Cal rates are OK, but you have to pay attention.”