One of my responsibilities at Altimate Medical, Inc. is to inform our staff about legislative issues that will either directly effect, or have a trickle down effect on our suppliers, clinicians, and ultimately the consumer. My main source for clear, concise legislative information and updates is from NCART (National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology).
NCART’s Mission:
NCART’s mission is to promote the interests of the Rehab and Assistive Technology industry, ensuring adequate consumer access to appropriate technology and services while creating a stable business environment for providers and manufacturers of rehab and assistive technology.
NCART’s Vision:
NCART’s vision is to have rehab and assistive technology recognized and accepted as a unique and separate health care delivery model from DME. Then, to use this differentiation to effect changes in coding, coverage and payment.
In upcoming blogs I will share appropriate legislative updates from NCART to provide access to this important information to our customers. I welcome any questions or comments!
Here is a video brought to your by brainsandspinalcord.org that explains the various levels of function in spinal cord injury and how it affects the body. This video explains how the letters and numbers refer to the level of injury, and how the spinal cord works.
It is a very informational video from a trusted source on spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries.
One of the things that I enjoy most about my job at Altimate Medical is hearing the success stories of our customers and helping them share those stories with others. Each story is so unique and will inspire others in a different way.
Cesca’s story is one of the two customer stories on our website about living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the other is Barbara Pressley. Cesca began having symptoms in her twenties but it took three years of hospital visits and tests before she was diagnosed. According to the National MS Society, in the US today, there are approximately 400,000 people with Multiple Sclerosis, and 200 more people are diagnosed every week. Worldwide, MS is thought to affect more than 2.5 million people.
Cesca’s MS changeder life hvery quickly. In her story she talks about her experience, “My MS progressed to the point where I was either in a wheelchair or a bed 24/7. Now having that third option of standing, even on days when I don¹t feel well, truly makes a world of difference!” Cesca is very positive and does not let MS limit how she lives her life. Instead she does all that she can to enhance it, like standing in the EasyStand StrapStand. Read Cesca’s story to find out more about the life of this upbeat lady!
After talking with newly injured clients and caregivers last Friday at the Abilities Expo in Minneapolis, I found a common theme arise. How do I get this item (stander, wheelchair, cushion, etc.) purchased for me? I was amazed at how many people recently (and not so recently) out of rehab had not been explained the procurement of Durable Medical Equipment (DME). I’m not sure if it’s because they had more important life issues on their minds when in rehab, and were inundated with information? Of if we, the DME team (manufacturers, suppliers, and clinicians) are trying to make the process invisible so as not to overburden the consumer during a difficult time of adjustment?
I’m guessing it’s a bit of both. Regardless, somewhere before leaving rehab there should be someone or some document that explains what DME is and the normal process for acquiring these life-necessary technologies.
There are many different payers who have different needs for funding DME, but generally speaking the ideal process is as follows:
Discuss with your physician the specific need you want to address with the item of DME. Ask for a referral to a clinician or OT/PT that can help with the evaluation process.
Pull together your DME Team (therapist, local DME supplier, caregivers, & self).
Set up time for evaluation /trial of the equipment or technology you think will work best for you.
The therapist will document the outcomes from this trial and write a Letter of Medical Justification or Necessity (LMN).
Once the LMN is signed by the medical team, therapist, and physician, it is sent to the DME Supplier for prior authorization with your funding source.
When approved by your funding source, the DME will be ordered, received, assembled, delivered and fit by the supplier.
If your funding source denies or pends your DME prior authorization, review your right to appeal in your benefits book from your funding source. Then decide your next step. Remember there are many on your team who are willing to help with this process, but you, the consumer hold the most weight in an appeal.
Why do you think consumers are not more educated on how to get the DME equipment that they need? Have you had any experiences getting DME that you would like to share with others? Am I missing any important steps of the DME equipment purchasing process?
Yesterday we had a photo shoot at a school with kindergartner Isabel Koegel. Isabel is adorable, and this is the second time we have met Isabel. The first time was a couple years ago, when we did a photo shoot of Isabel in Magician-ei. Now Isabel uses an Magician Comfy, not only at school, but she also just got a Magician Comfy for home. This photo shoot was for the upcoming EasyStand Bantam, and Isabel is our second child to have an official photo shoot in the Bantam stander (see also Ryan Kane EasyStand photo shoot). Isabel’s Mom and Grandma/PCA were also there, and it was neat to get photos of all three of them together.
The other cool thing about our day, was all of the other familiar faces that we saw, and the progress that they have made. We saw six other kids, who we have also been EasyStand models before. A couple of them were scooting around in walkers or standing up with little help. They all had grown so much and it was neat to see those familiar smiles!
Watch for more photos of the new EasyStand Bantam and Isabel soon!
Bill Fertig, wheelchair athlete, and Andy Hicks of Altimate Medical and will be participating in a marathon to raise money for spinal cord injury awareness and research.
Hello Friends! On Oct 26th I will run the Marine Corp Marathon in Washington DC, after saying that I would never subject myself to such agony again. I am coming out of my very sane retirement to participate with Bill Fertig, who is a wheelchair athlete, to raise funds for the National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA). Bill and I are working hard to prepare for this challenge, as we will be competing with world class athletes. However, that challenge is small compared to the challenge of regaining a productive, fulfilling life after a paralyzing injury or disease. NSCIA is there every day as the leading resource for those individuals and their families.
Please help me raise money for the NSCIA and support me and Bill in our personal challenge of completing the marathon. Knowing we have your support will make the miles go by faster, and more importantly your generous gift will make a real difference in the lives of people with SCI/D. Simply visit my personal fundraising page to contribute any amount to our cause. Supporting this effort is quick, it’s easy - and you will make a difference! I greatly appreciate your support!
Altimate Medical would like to invite clinicians and suppliers to attend this NRRTS teleseminar on standing. Earn CEU’s and learn about standing without leaving your home or office! Register today for next weeks seminar!
Standing: Advanced Principles, Practices and Clinical Applications
This exciting course moves expert rehab providers to the next level. Bone density, bowel, bladder, spasticity and range of motion benefits of passive and dynamic standing (including vibration) programs will be highlighted. This session will conclude with a rousing session on funding that will leave you shouting “show me the money.”
Ginny Paleg is a pediatric PT from Silver Spring, MD. She works in a 0-3 (Early Intervention) program for Montgomery County Public Schools. She serves children in their homes and daycare centers. She is the Reimbursement Chair and listserve monitor for the pediatric section of the APTA. She is on the editorial board of Rehab Management and PT Products Magazines, and is on the consumer advisory board of VTech toys.
When: Thursday, September 18, 2008
Time: 5:00pm to 7:00pm EST
Registration: Register on-line at www.nrrts.org or by phone at (800) 976-7787.
Cost: NRRTS registrant $20, Friends of NRRTS $25, and anyone else is $35.
CEU’s: .2 CEU’s have been applied for.
Are you planning on attending Ginny’s NRRTS seminar? If you attended, what did you think? Did Ginny’s presentation provide information on standing therapy or standing equipment that you were not aware of?
…I’ll admit it. I’ve been lazy. I’ve been complacent. I’ve been uninterested in standing for years, but soon, this will no longer be my norm. Now why was I this way you may ask? Afterall, sitting ALL DAY does get old very quick, and my standing frame helps me get up and out, and feeling upright is great for the mind. But my life is SO busy and just standing there, and doing nothing except watch TV or surf the web, can get old. Btw, I’ve been “in” a chair for 15 years.
My cat, Pixie Sticks, enjoying the scenery from my stander.
That’s a long time. Hello, diving accident :/
Anyways, some history: My awesome grandpa harassed my insurance company back in 1994 enough to finally get them to buy me a standing frame. Back in the ’90s, standing frames were still a pretty novel thing and not many therapists were pushing patients to get one AFTER being discharged. My therapists didn’t even recommend one. So we, on our own, contacted <enter insurance company name here>, kicked butt, took names, and got my a shiny new standing frame.
With my 15th anniversary of having a SCI just passed, standing is more on my mind then ever before. I WILL NOT allow my body to turn to pot. I WILL be in-shape once therapies come along. And believe me, they will. So sorry my feline friend, Pixie Sticks, the frame will be your roost any longer.
Altimate Medical employees at annual summer outing.
Yesterday, Altimate Medical had it’s annual summer outting. This year, AMI employees participated in a Best Ball Golf Game with six teams taking part in the festivities. The day was beautiful, and the golf course and club house deck sported a fantastic view. There were just as many rookie golfers as seasoned golfers, which kept a great balance. The winning team consisted of Steve Schmidt (Customer Service), Jeff Schmidt and Leo Schweiss (Product Development), and Allison Larsen (Quality). It is noteworthy to mention that Allison is nearly nine months pregnant with baby number two! Way to go Allison!
Andrew Gardeen with a fantastic drive- Can you see the ball?
Other golf prizes given out include Closest to the Pin-Jeff Schmidt (Product Development), Longest Putt- Levi Knobloch (Quality), and Longest Drive- Dave Nesje (Customer Service).
Overall, a fantastic day, great teamwork, and some pretty good golfing too. Now back to work!
Hi there! This is Mark Haen, the media guy with Altimate Medical here today to show you my giant flowers. The picture shows the cannas (’Edulis Dark’) at 9′ 11″ but since then they stand well over 10′ tall. I have been planting cannas for over fifteen years. Dig them out in the fall, cover and store them in a cool basement then plant the bulbs in the spring. The giant cannas shown in the picture are fertilized, on a sprinkler system, and receive full sun to help them reach their full growth potential. My cannas are standing tall, and you might say, they got in made [not in the shade]. PS: The humming birds love them. If you would like to have some of these monster canna bulbs, send me an email.
Find topics and personal stories on life in a wheelchair and disability, healthy living, the benefits of standing, and what's happening with EasyStand.
