Course Description:

Individuals with chronic medical conditions and long-term disabilities who have a permanent need for a wheelchair require a comprehensive, detailed evaluation of their physical, functional and environmental needs to allow clinicians and ATP suppliers to make appropriate Assistive Technology recommendations for a successful outcome.
This course will examine the questions outlined in the National Coverage Determination (NCD) for Mobility Assistive Equipment (MAE) as well as the coverage criteria detailed in the Medicare Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) for manual wheelchairs and power mobility devices. This framework will provide clinicians with the tools necessary to effectively evaluate and document the medical need for MAE intervention; assist the supplier ATP in matching an individual's identified needs to the technology interventions, and assist reviewers, and billing personnel in reading and interpreting the information in the record to determine when to provide the equipment that is recommended.
This course will also aim to discuss the clinical reasoning behind device selection and options available based on the above criteria. Participants will be given the hands on experience of driving a group 3 power wheelchair with the goal to educate on the more complex rehabilitation power mobility options available for those who are appropriate end users per coverage criteria. This course will cover the various drive wheel configurations to consider their functional impact when considering such devices for end users needs and environments for clinicians and supplies to make the most informed decision.