ANNUAL REVIEW 2024
MEMBERSHIP
398 Members
1,423 Total Locations
23 New Members in 2024
Our U.S. Rehab membership is as strong as it has ever been. Despite the acquisitions and turbulence over the last five years, we have remained resilient and continued to attract great and engaged members.
Ted Metcalf
GOVERNMENT AND ADVOCACY
38 Attendees From NCART/U.S Rehab Fly-In
Appointments with
73 congressional offices
27
Different Companies Participated
The focus was meeting with congressional members who served on committees of jurisdiction (COJ) who oversaw Medicare & Medicaid.
The group held 58 meetings with COJ members
Met with House Ways & Means Committee Staff
Met with House Ways & Means Committee Chairman - Jason Smith
Met with New Senate Majority Leader - John Thune Staff
*Tyler Mahncke, Dan Fedor, Ted Metcalf, and Mike “Ike” Isaacson of VGM and U.S. Rehab are all on the NCART board in one capacity.
Focus items we discussed throughout the year:
• We educated members of Congress about the CRT industry, who we serve, the economic and operational challenges we face, and how they can help us improve the lives of our consumers.
• We lobbied for co-sponsors to H.R. 5371 and S. 5154 - Consumer Manual Wheelchair Choice Bill.
• We requested that House offices join their colleagues by attaching their signature to the Power Standing Dear Colleague letter.
In 2024, VGM Group, Inc.’s Government Relations team heavily invested in the CRT industry. Working alongside NCART, U.S. Rehab, and other industry stakeholders, VGM’s SVP of Government & Regulatory Relations, Ike Isaacson, made five trips to Washington, D.C., advocating on behalf of our CRT members. During these trips, Ike met with over 70 legislators to educate and ask for support of industry priorities. During meetings with key legislators such as Chairman Smith and House Ways & Means and Energy & Commerce member Rep. Miller-Meeks, VGM pushed the importance of equitable reimbursement and sensible rules and regulations. In addition to working on the federal level, VGM invested time and energy at the state level as well. From California to New York, VGM advocated for sensible repair rules and appropriate funding for our members.
VGM partnered closely with NCART and AAH to develop national and state priorities. Through strategic planning and agenda setting, VGM continues to seek unity in the industry, a common voice in advocacy, and a robust service platform to meet the needs of people in all communities.
The new administration has strongly signaled that it will focus on reducing costs
and finding efficiencies in healthcare. Along with a continued emphasis on innovation, the CRT industry is perfectly positioned to be a leader in both savings and innovation. But, to do so, we need all voices raised, and we need all hands on deck. If you have never hosted a legislator at your business, if you haven’t reached out to introduce yourself and your work to your elected officials, now is the time to do so. The work of advocating for your business and for your industry must be a collective effort. The work that you do and the lives that you improve need to be highlighted to continue to move the CRT industry forward.
You don’t have to do it alone. At VGM we are here to support you and your business, and we are happy to be your advocacy partner. Let us help you set up an on-site visit with your legislators. We can provide you with the information you need to be an expert advocate.
Ike Isaacson
For more information, please reach out to Ike Isaacson at VGM or visit our government website at www.vgm.com/services/ government-relations/. 2025 is going to be a great year!
US REHAB EDUCATION
When I entered the complex rehab technology industry nearly a decade ago, I quickly recognized the critical issue of the ATP shortage and the lack of a pipeline within our membership. To address this, we have implemented various initiatives, understanding that a one-size-fits-all approach wouldn’t suffice. We partnered with RESNA to establish the ATP Guidance Mentorship Program, revamped the ATP Academy with an online training program, and created a certification pathway for technicians through our Assistive Mobility Repair Group (AMRG). We are excited to see the long-term impact these efforts will have on the industry.
Tyler Mahncke
400+
Individuals Benefitted from U.S. Rehab’s Education Offering
Tech Training Attendees
(Live Event | Basic and Advanced Tracks)
Assistive Mobility Repair Group (AMRG)
In 2024, DMERT transitioned to AMRG. As of 12/31/2024:
Technicians Recognized or Certified Historically*
Technicians working U.S. Rehab’s Assistive Mobility Repair Training Bundle (AMRTB) 150
Technicians set to complete the technician certification by July 2025.
*Historically includes DMERT and AMRG Certifications.
Additional Note:
In 2024, substantial fine tuning of the AMRG certification process was completed, including on the job training model efficiencies like the institution of guidelines for an ATP to oversee the duties of an AMRG Master Technician.
Trainings
Functional Mobility Assessment (FMA)
How many participating:
Total of New Time 1 FMAs Received in 2024 – 1,619
Total Time 1 Intakes – 16,617
Total Deliveries – 15,157
Total Time 2 – 6,093
Total Time 3 – 3,995
Total Time 4 – 2,805
Total Time 5 – 1,860
Total Time 6 - 941
Total Time 7 -411
Total Time 8 - 161
Total Time 9 - 28
Total Time 10 - 5
In 2024, Total Follow-Up Calls Made by U.S. Rehab Team – 2,926 In 2024, Total Follow-Up Contacts
Billing and Reimbursement
18
Custom Onsite Member Training Sessions
Live Training Courses (Heartland, U.S. Rehab Tech Training, Member Rehab Conferences)
Assisted multiple members daily with education and denials via video and audio, audio only, text, and email – 950 member activities, 544 members contacted, 145 contacts with our vendor partners.
Hosted 8 webinars with a total of 1,100 attendees, with an average of 137 people per webinar.
In 2024, I dedicated significant time to staying current on Medicare and Medicaid policies, as well as various insurance company procedures impacting CRT reimbursement. I attended quarterly inperson Medicare council meetings to stay updated on trends and directly engage with CMS. When not addressing reimbursement and billing issues via phone, text, and email, I traveled extensively to speak at conferences such as Medtrade, Heartland, various state associations, and multiple member-sponsored events nationwide. I also enjoyed conducting webinars in partnership with our vendor partners. Additionally, I reviewed countless prescreens and assisted members with denials and appeals throughout the year.
Dan Fedor
VENDOR PARTNER OVERVIEW
5 Minds Mobility Group
Braze Mobility
Convaid/R82
Cubby Beds
Direct Supply, Inc
EZ-ACCESS, a div of Homecare Products Inc.
Feather Mobility
HQAA
Harmar Mobility, LLC
Immersus Health Company, LLC
Ki Mobility
LUCI, LLC
MK Battery
Med-Mizer
Merits Health Products Inc.
/ Avid Rehab
Miller’s Adaptive Technologies
Motion Concepts-Medbloc
munevo Inc.
Nymbl Systems
Permobil
Raz Design Inc.
Rifton Equipment
Rolko North America
Sunrise Medical (US), LLC
Symmetric Designs, Ltd.
TrackMaster, LLC
Wellspect, Inc.
Thank you to our incredible manufacturer partners for your unwavering support. As we continue to deliver valuable services to our membership, we look forward to another fantastic year in 2025. Your partnership is essential to our success, and we are excited about the future we are building together.
Tyler Mahncke