Date: Thursday, July 8, 2021 5:00 PM- Thursday, July 8, 2021 6:00 PM
Location: Online
Lead/Instructor: Catherine Sweeney
Session Author: Catherine Sweeney (Permobil)*; Eleni Halkiotis (Permobil), Theresa Berner, MOT, OTR/L, ATP, The Ohio State
The current model of Complex Rehabilitation Technology (CRT) procurement depends heavily upon insurance coverage and authorization of the prescribed equipment. Due to increasingly restrictive insurance coverage guidelines focusing on funding devices with the lowest purchase price and upfront cost, many wheelchair users are being issued CRT that does not adequately meet their medical and functional needs. Often, clients with complex primary diagnoses and co-morbidities sustain serious medical complications from using ineffective CRT, such as pressure injuries, urinary tract infections, rotator cuff injuries, and carpal tunnel syndrome. When a client's prescribed mobility device does not adequately meet their identified medical and functional needs, the impact is detrimental not only to the client but can also have a significant negative economic impact on our healthcare system. All stakeholders involved in CRT provision should be knowledgeable about the importance of advocating for and providing appropriate CRT, using a proactive model, and how this contributes to the stewardship of healthcare dollars in the bigger picture.
This 90-minute course will discuss and challenge the current model of reactive equipment prescription and explore the true health economic costs using this model. Clinical studies and case presentations will demonstrate the economic and medical/functional benefits which occur when a proactive prescription model is used. This course will demonstrate direct and indirect cost-savings via decreased healthcare utilization when appropriately prescribed equipment is provided. Attendees will be able to directly apply the course concepts when selecting wheelchair and seating products and will be empowered to advocate for insurance authorization to provide the most medically and functionally appropriate equipment for meeting their clients’ needs.