July 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.
Wayne Grau Next NCART Executive Director
The NCART Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) industry veteran Wayne Grau will be joining NCART on August 1 in advance of assuming the role of Executive Director upon the departure of current Executive Director Don Clayback on September 30.

“Wayne will bring a vast knowledge base to NCART and will help move the organization ahead. We look forward to his leadership and contributions,” said Greg Packer, NCART President.

“I am very excited about this next step in my career working at NCART on behalf of the CRT industry," said Wayne Grau. “NCART and the CRT community are very grateful to Don Clayback for all his years of service. I look forward to building on our progress working with manufacturers, providers, and all stakeholders to continue to fight to represent their interests at both the federal and state level,” continued Grau.
Virtual Public Roundtable for
Coverage of Power Seat Elevation and Standing Systems
The National Council on Disability (NCD) has announced it will host a virtual public Roundtable on August 3 from 1:00 PM ET to 3:00 PM ET to promote Medicare coverage of Power Seat Elevation and Standing Systems. This is a very positive development in establishing coverage for this important technology and we thank the NCD for its leadership. We want strong CRT stakeholder attendance to emphasize the pressing need to establish coverage. Advanced registration (see below) is required and everyone is invited to attend.

As background, the NCD is an independent federal agency that advises the President and Congress on disability issues. It has been advising CMS on this matter for some time and has been regularly renewing its recommendation that CMS provide such Medicare coverage.

The two-hour virtual roundtable will include perspectives from Members of Congress, people with mobility disabilities, clinicians who evaluate and prescribe mobility technology, researchers regarding the evidence base, and others regarding the legal and policy implications of coverage. Senators Tammy Duckworth and Marsha Blackburn along with Representative Jim Langevin will be part of the proceedings, as well as various members of the ITEM Coalition workgroup, including NCART.

Additional details and the registration link are available at the NCD website. To learn more and register, click the button below. 
NCART Officer Elections
The election of NCART officers was held and we are happy to report that the following began their terms on July 1:

  • President- Greg Packer (President of U.S Rehab)
  • Vice President- Kevin Gearheart (President at Rehab Medical)
  • Treasurer- Doug Westerdahl (Vice President of Field Operations at Numotion)
  • Secretary- Mike Barner (Director at the University of Michigan Wheelchair Seating Service)

We sincerely thank them for their commitment to the mission of NCART and look forward to their leadership. For more details about NCART and its leadership please visit www.ncart.us.
Time to Sign Up for the Virtual CRT Congressional Fly-In
NCART and NRRTS have been working hard on preparations for the 2022 CRT Virtual Congressional Fly-In on September 14. This annual event allows CRT suppliers, manufacturers, clinicians, consumers, and others to meet directly with their Members of Congress via Zoom video conferencing. This is the perfect opportunity to discuss actions that must be taken to protect access to CRT for people with disabilities.

Individuals can attend this event at NO COST and participate virtually from their home or office. Once you register, we will match you with a team of advocates from your state and schedule Congressional meetings for you.

Talking points and other information for your meetings will be provided during the mandatory Advanced Preparation Webinar on September 7. We'll also hold state practice sessions with your state team on September 12 so you can feel fully prepared and ready to make the most of your meetings.

Join other advocates to #MaketheConnection with the CRT community and your Members of Congress. Learn more and get registered at NO COST by clicking the button below.
Thank You Virtual Fly-In Sponsors
The 2022 Virtual CRT Congressional Fly-In would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. We are grateful for their financial assistance that allows CRT advocates to connect with Members of Congress to advance the actions needed to safeguard access to CRT. Thank you, sponsors! 
CRT Awareness Week August 15-19
Our goal is that every legislator, policymaker, payer, and community member fully understand the complexities of CRT and the benefits it provides to people with disabilities. While we aren't there just yet, we've made good progress. But more is needed and that’s what CRT Awareness Week is all about!

This is a great opportunity for you to help keep the momentum moving forward on CRT advocacy. National CRT Awareness Week is being held August 15-19 and we need all advocates to get involved. Everyone can do something to help spread the message about what CRT is all about and why access is so important.

Getting involved in National CRT Awareness Week can be quick and easy:

  1. Click HERE for an overview and resources to use.
  2. Decide which way you want to share details about CRT with others.
  3. Choose a day to participate.
  4. Use #CRTAwareness so we can see your posts and help spread the word.
  5. Follow NCART on our social media pages to “like” and share our posts too.

We can’t wait to see how everyone helps spread the CRT message. Thanks in advance for finding at least ONE day and ONE way to get involved in promoting access to CRT!

For other questions, email Mickae Lee at NCART by clicking the button below.
Public Health Emergency Extended
HHS Secretary Becerra extended the Public Health Emergency (PHE) through October 13. From a CRT provision perspective, this means that Physical Therapists (PTs) and Occupational Therapists (OTs) will continue to be permitted to provide CRT telehealth services to their Medicare clients into early 2023. This is based on legislation passed by Congress earlier in the year that extended current COVID-19 telehealth flexibilities for an additional 151 days after the end of the PHE.

While this extension provides people with disabilities who use CRT 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 telehealth practitioners to ensure continued access to CRT when in-person visits are not an option. For more details and to email Congress, visit www.protectmymobility.org or click the button below.
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 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 group met with the Department to discuss ongoing CRT initiatives and the Cal-AIM program; follow-up provider discussions are being held to further develop resources and policy proposals.

Ohio - NCART and OAMES continue to coordinate discussions between CRT providers and the Department regarding coding and reimbursement for ancillary CRT items; additional data was compiled and presented to the Department; awaiting Department response.

Michigan - CRT state recognition legislation reintroduced (SB 499 and SB 500) and passed in Senate; Michigan Homecare and Hospice Association and NCART have provided House committee testimony; awaiting further House action.

Nevada - NCART held provider discussions regarding reimbursement, prior authorization, and policy challenges impacting access to care; an August meeting with the Department was requested.

Utah - NCART provider workgroup continues to hold discussions with the Department regarding CRT reimbursement and policy concerns; additional information is being collected and analyzed by both NCART and the Department; an August meeting is scheduled.

National CRT Repair Workgroup - Stakeholders met to discuss plans, needed documents, and resources related to national and state efforts to improve the timeliness of professional repair services.
Don Clayback Receives RESNA Honorary Fellow Award
NCART Executive Director Don Clayback was presented an "Honorary Fellow Award" by the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) during the 2022 RESNA virtual conference. This award is given to individuals who have exhibited leadership in rehabilitation engineering and assistive technology promoting the independence of individuals with disabilities.

We thank RESNA for acknowledging Don’s contributions to both the CRT industry and people with disabilities. We echo RESNA’s recognition and thank Don for his tireless commitment to advancing legislative and regulatory improvements to secure access to CRT. 
NCART Joins Mobility Management Podcast
NCART participated in another Mobility Management Podcast to provide listeners with a CRT advocacy update. Don Clayback and Mickae Lee met with Laurie Watanabe to chat about the latest industry news and what NCART has been up to lately.

Click to listen to what advocacy work is taking place and how you can get involved in events that are coming up in the next few months. Thanks to Mobility Management for continued coverage of CRT-related issues and advocacy!
Next CRT Industry Webinar August 25
The summer is flying by, but we are happy to continue offering bi-monthly webinars to keep you informed. Join NCART, NRRTS, U.S. Rehab, and the Clinician Task Force on August 25 at 4:00 PM ET for another CRT industry update. These no-cost presentations bring attendees all of the latest news in CRT advocacy, policy, and legislation. Register now by clicking the button below!
NCART Welcomes New Supplier Member
NCART is pleased to welcome another new CRT supplier to our membership roster. Accel Custom Rehab in Plano, TX works closely with their staff and the area’s clinicians to provide outstanding equipment and services to their community. We thank them for their support and look forward to having them join us to advocate to promote access to CRT equipment and services.

There is no shortage of advocacy work to be done and the CRT Community has proven that working together with purpose and determination produces positive results. If you are a CRT provider or manufacturer and aren’t already an NCART member, please click the button below to read more and consider joining us to protect the future of CRT access.
32nd Anniversary of the ADA
On July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law by President George W. Bush. This year, we celebrate its 32nd birthday and all of the positive changes that have taken place since its passage.

This critical legislation marked the beginning of purposeful equality, opportunity, and recognition of the rights and abilities of individuals with disabilities. While much has been accomplished, we know that there is still more to be done to achieve its full promise. We encourage federal and state policy makers to continue to make and enforce needed changes.

CRT plays a critical role in fulfilling the intent of the ADA. That is why NCART’s dedication to protecting and improving access to CRT remains strong. For more information, the ADA National Network is a free resource that you can access at https://adata.org/national-network.
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
Decades of Tireless Advocacy
We've met hundreds of passionate advocates throughout the years, but Judy Heumann set the bar of excellence. Her activism and her unmatched ability to motivate others to get involved in advocacy has resulted in tremendous improvements for individuals with disabilities. Click below for a short video about Judy's why, where, and how in advocating for the rights of the disability community.
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