December 2005

News

By Danielle Cohen

IMPLEMENTING NEW POWER MOBILITY DEVICE REQUIREMENTS, CODES DELAYED
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced that it will delay implementing 63 new codes and testing requirements, and will revise a draft local coverage determination (LCD) for power mobility devices.

CMS announced its decision in October, stating in a release that it would delay the planned January 1, 2006, implementation date for the new codes until it can "review the changes with input from manufacturers, suppliers, and other stakeholders."

CMS had initially introduced 49 new codes under the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS), before creating the 63 new codes and testing requirements in order for power mobility devices to be eligible for Medicare billing. According to CMS, the new codes and requirements address policy and pricing difficulties encountered with the existing ones.

The introduction of the new codes was met with strong protests by industry manufacturers, who were concerned about a potentially major industry upheaval.

CMS also stated that it will revise the draft LCD so that its policies "accurately reflect" the national coverage determination criteria.

CMS had released the LCD, titled "Conditions for Payment of Power Mobility Devices, including Power Wheelchairs and Power-Operated Vehicles," to help clarify an interim final rule, which was scheduled to go into effect on October 25. The LCD includes policies on coverage, prescribing, coding, payment, and claims documentation.

The comment period for the draft LCD was due to end October 31, with an implementation date of January 1. Among the key provisions of the LCD were the elimination of the certificate of medical necessity (CMN) for power mobility devices, such as wheelchairs and scooters; a requirement that physicians or treating practitioners conduct a face-to-face examination of the beneficiary no more than 30 days prior to the prescription for the power mobility device; and a requirement that the physicians or treating practitioners provide a signed and dated prescription to the beneficiaries or providers within 30 days of that examination.

CMS stated it would continue to solicit and consider comments on all aspects of the draft LCD in developing the new determinations.

LEGENDARY PT VISITS MARYLAND-BASED SKILLED NURSING FACILITY

Florence Kendall receives a certificate from David Conlin, area director for Genesis Rehabilitation Services, honoring her contribution to the physical therapy field, during a visit to Severna Park Center.

He had no idea that his training was about to bring him face to face with the woman who played a major role in creating Maryland's physical therapy profession, Florence Kendall.

Kendall, it turned out, was friends with Angeles' patient, and also lives in Severna Park. She decided to meet the man who had helped her friend, and visited Severna Park Center that September.

To honor Kendall, the physical therapy staff at the 141-bed facility operated by Genesis HealthCare threw her a surprise reception. During the reception, Angeles presented Kendall with an official key to the center and its rehabilitation department. "Welcome to our family. I have traveled 25,000 miles to meet you and am honored to have my wish come true today," he told her.

"Mrs Kendall is a legend in America and in my home country of the Philippines. I have her book, and I use it all the time. I don't [go] anywhere without it," Angeles said after meeting his idol.

Kendall, 95, has dedicated nearly 70 years of her life to physical therapy. She was instrumental in drafting the original bill that was enacted into law in 1947, legally establishing the practice of physical therapy in Maryland.

She has served on the Maryland State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners; taught at the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Physical Therapy Department; and was a biomechanics instructor at the School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins Hospital. Kendall has also lectured nationally on physical therapy and written numerous books and journal articles. Her book, Muscle Testing and Function, first published in 1949, is now in its fifth edition and is used worldwide in physical therapy education.

"The staff felt very honored to meet Ms Kendall and have her see where they worked. She autographed their books and was an inspiration to some of the residents, too. She is so vital and bright, it was lovely to see," says Sarah Laye, PT, Severna's rehab program manager.

"She was instrumental in getting the field of PT recognized back in the 1940s in Maryland, and her research and books have helped further the practice across the years," Laye says.

Kendall shared stories and spoke with staff and rehab patients during her visit.

"I have had an absolutely delightful visit to this center and have had such a wonderful, warm welcome by so many therapists," Kendall said after her visit. "I am a little bit overcome by all of this."

RIC OFFERS CONTINUING EDUCATION ONLINE, APPOINTS NEW CHIEF OF STAFF
The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) Academy recently announced the opening of RIC Ecademy, which will host monthly live "Webinars," quarterly live Web courses on leading-edge topics in rehabilitation, as well as self-paced courses, which can be taken online for continuing education units.

Participants can learn from RIC's experts in an online setting. Upcoming webinar topics include acupuncture, Parkinson's disease, apraxia, and Pilates for rehabilitation. For more information, visit www.ric.org/education.

RIC also named Santiago D. Toledo, MD, its new chief of staff. In his new role, Toledo will appoint members and chairs to the combined medical staff, which includes attending physicians and consulting physicians, as well as oversee the committee. He will preside over meetings of the combined medical staff and the medical executive committee, and he serves on the RIC board of directors.

Toledo, who will serve a 2-year term, also serves as the medical director for orthopedic rehabilitation at RIC and specializes in the aging population and primary care for people with disabilities.

Toledo practices at RIC's flagship hospital at East Superior Street, and the RIC Outpatient Center in Hyde Park, Ill.

COMPANY ACQUIRES SCOTTISH WHEELCHAIR MANUFACTURER
Sunrise Medical, Carlsbad, Calif, recently acquired Lomax Mobility, a Dundee, Scotland-based designer and manufacturer of manual and powered wheelchairs.

Terms of the package between Sunrise Medical and Lomax Mobility are not being disclosed, but both companies will continue to operate independently.

Commenting on the partnership, Kees Regeling, European senior vice president of commercial operations for Sunrise Medical, said, "It has been the desire of Sunrise Medical to play a part in UK market development for mobility products and now through our companies coming together, we can seek to drive industry innovation, quality standards, value for money, and customer service."

Lomax Mobility, which has approximately 200 employees, was formed in 1998 by an amalgamation of two British manufacturing firms, Lomax Thompson and Ross & Bonnyman. The company recently launched its new product, the Powermax, part of a range of chic and modern powered wheelchairs that are designed to appeal to all ages.

Sunrise Medical designs, manufactures, and markets medical products and assistive technology devices that address the recovery, rehabilitation, and respiratory needs of patients in institutional and home care settings.

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