Wayne Grau takes lead at NCART

YARMOUTH, Maine – Wayne Grau plans to do more listening than talking in his new role as executive director of NCART. 

Grau, whose first day on the job was Aug. 1, says despite his 30-year career in the HME industry, much of it focused on complex rehab, he still has a lot to learn. 

“My job is really to listen to members,” he said. “There’s thousands of years of experience with these manufacturers and providers. It would be silly of me to think I know more than them. I want to ask the right questions, find out our priorities and execute.” 

Grau’s career to date has included working for Pride Mobility Products, Managed Health Care Associates/The MED Group and MK Battery. He was also recently named chair of the DMERT Group. 

NCART’s priorities under Grau will likely include the “unfinished business” of securing coverage for power seat elevation and standing systems. CMS has committed to seeking public comments on a request to reconsider the national coverage determination for mobility assistive equipment to include these systems no later than August. 

“It’s huge,” Grau said. “It’s going to make such a huge difference in patients’ lives.” 

But addressing more macro issues like poor reimbursement, right-to-repair legislation, rising inflation and a possible recession will likely be priorities, too, Grau says. 

“Everyone needs to be able to operate in a stable business environment,” he said.  

Once he has a handle on NCART’s priorities, Grau plans to “bring a level of collaboration” to the organization. 

“I want everyone rowing in the same direction,” he said. 

In a highly consolidated market like complex rehab, that includes providers of all sizes, Grau says. 

“You do have larger and smaller players,” he said. “What I’m going to focus on at NCART is asking, is it good for larger and smaller players? 98% of the time the answer is yes. Those are the things that we need to get done.”