June 2025

 

Introducing NSM’s NEW Wheelchair Cushion & Back Selection Guide: Enhance Order Accuracy & Decrease TCT

With NSM’s ground breaking Payer Green Light System in place, we discovered that cushion and back selection not matching client diagnosis and/or missing medical justification caused the bulk of the first pass fails for audit.  This identified the integral need to identify patient diagnosis and Medicare’s coverage criteria during evaluations to support accurate cushion and back selection in addition to cuing the medical justification by the therapist to medically qualify the client for the right level of cushion. 

As a result, we have developed a new Wheelchair Cushion & Back Selection Guide. The Cushion and Back Selection Guide is available digitally for immediate download on WNSM and NSM-Seating.com. We will also be shipping hard copies to ALL US branch locations soon. 

We highly recommend that ALL ATPs have their own hard copy guide to reference with the clinician during evaluations.  Should the client’s medical chart fail to have a qualifying diagnosis, it is appropriate to ask the clinician and/or physician whether one of the diagnosis in the guide is relevant to the client and if the diagnosis should be added to their medical chart.  We should not recommend the diagnosis specifically to the Clinician or Physician.

If you have any questions, contact Stacy Clouse, NSM’s National Director of Product Management.

 

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COMPANY

COMPLIANCE ALERT: Items Included in the Base

At the beginning of this year, we started a compliance audit process where we select random work orders across all regions, looking for ‘out of compliance’ issues. As part of this process, we also provide guidance where employee education and/or reinforcement is advised.  

Areas of Focus

Some common areas where we see work orders ‘out of compliance’ are convenience items, upgrades, and color options. These items can NOT be included with base or other billable components. Most payers will not pay for these items, and as a result, they will generally either not be approved or be self-pay for the client. If you believe there is an exception for a particular payer that allows items to be included with the base, please be certain to verify by referring to the UPD or other resources to make certain the exception applies in your case (Payer Relations, Compliance, etc.).  In addition, if a write-off for convenience items, upgrades, and/or color options are requested, the request should first be approved by the corresponding Regional Area Director and then sent to the Compliance Department for review and approval.  

Compliance Risk

Approval to write off or not charge for convenience items or upgrades will be in extremely limited circumstances, as providing anything of value to a client can be considered an inducement.  Inducements are not compliant with law or regulation and can put NSM in jeopardy of significant fines and penalties being levied against us by the States, the Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Human Services and other government agencies. 

Click here to view a list of upgrade and convenience items that are NOT typically considered medically necessary. This list can also be found on the Compliance 'Resources' page on WNSM. This is not a comprehensive list, and there are likely additional items to consider for each payer.

We encourage everyone to know what each payer allows before submitting work orders, but there are always scenarios that come up (i.e., transit tie downs), so if you have any questions or we can help in any way, please let us know.  As always, we appreciate all of your support to ensure we are compliant at NSM. If you have any questions, contact Compliance@nsm-seating.com.  

Important Medicare Supplier & Client Paid Upgrade Reminders

There are times when NSM may provide either charged or free upgrades to clients. In doing so, it is important that all employees understand the compliant parameters and process in which upgrades are managed and understand specific payer requirements regarding ability or inability to provide an upgrade in order to set appropriate expectations for our clients. With this in mind, be sure to check out this Quality - Training – Improvement - Process (Q-Tip) Corner article on Supplier and Client Paid Upgrades for Medicare as well as the Medicare Upgrade Guideline Policy F-300 on WNSM.  

 

NSM Welcomes the Team at Independent Mobility Plus 

NSM closed on the acquisition of Independent Mobility Plus on Monday 6/2. As a result, we have a new location in Green Bay, WI. This expands our footprint and helps us continue to help our clients move through life. In addition to CRT, the location serves clients with home accessibility products and also disposable medical supplies. A huge welcome goes out to Troy DeGeneffe (ATP) , Anna Howlett (Funding Specialist), Evan Parker (General Manager), Alina Prescott (CSS), Tamara Wolf (CSS) and Michael Sarka (Technician)!
 
Click here to read more about the additional acquisitions that have taken place so far in 2025. 
 

Crispin Shares Impact Your Hard Work & Commitment is Making in June CEO Monthly Update

If you have not already, be sure to take time to read the June CEO Monthly Update. In this month's update, Crispin highlights the progress we are making as a business in our key focus areas and also shares that we have achieved our lowest transaction cycle time in over three years! Click here to view the full update.

PRODUCT UPDATES

ATP Pulse Call Today, June 20: Guest Speaker From Permobil With Virtual Tour Fabrication TiLite Z and TiLite X

Please join the call virtually or check out the recorded session.  We have invited Cody Verrett and Rachel Fabiniak from Permobil to provide us with a virtual tour of the new fabrication facility for TiLite Z and TiLite X while also providing product education and roadmap for future enhancements.

NSM & Permobil Enhance Supply Relations With $1000 Cost Reduction F3 SPO and M3 SPO- Securing Profile Rank 2 For K0856

As an ongoing enhancement to the NSM and Permobil supply relationship Permobil is offering an incremental discount, valued at $1,000 for the SPO F3 and SPO M3.  As a result the F3 and M3 will be added as Rank 2 to the K0856 Power Profile which will make them bonus eligible products while also supporting more clinical solutions to our clients.  Quantum still maintains a cost advantage but Permobil has closed some of the gap with this promotional price through 12/31/2025.

PDG Eclipse HD Rigid Wheelchair Back By Popular Demand

Permobil has listened to the public outcry and has decided to reinstate manufacturing and support for the Eclipse HD Manual Wheelchair.  This rigid MWC can support up to 1000 lbs and 600 lbs transit safe transport weight all in a relatively narrow frame for maneuverability.  We are working with Permobil to add the Eclipse back to our system and quote activity can resume.
 

Activeaid Discontinuing the 720, 922, 1100 and 1128 Model Bath Systems; Quotes End 5/30, Shipping Ceases 8/29

Effective May 30th, 2025, ActiveAid will stop providing quotes for 720, 922, 1100, and 1218 models and stop taking orders on August 29th, 2025.  MA has been updated and we will watch our backlog to meet the 8/29 shipping deadline.  We recommend Nuprodx or RAZ over ActiveAid.


Munevo Drive Not Currently Viable Due To Cost and Coding Change
Munevo Drive’s coding was changed in April and we have learned that at this time, their product is not viable due to the reimbursement constraints of the coding awarded.  We have recommended to Munevo what they need to do from a coding and PDAC submission perspective to make their product viable again.  Until they have secure revised coding from PDAC, we should not be trialing the device with consumers.  Please instead opt to trial the Vigo from Sunrise, Tolt Ability Drive or more traditional switch alternative drive controls.

June Product Spotlights

Click here to learn more about this month's product spotlights from Permobil, Merits and SleepSafe. 

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LIFESTYLE

June Employee Milestone Anniversaries

             

 

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU - Send Us Your Client Mission Moments!

We need your help to celebrate and share the INCREDIBLE work you and your teammates are doing each and every day to impact our clients' lives and help keep them moving through life. That's why we are asking you to send us your client stories with your mission moments to share across NSM, on our social media platforms and beyond! 

Submission is Easy! Simply send us an email with your client story, photo and client media release form completed by the client or client caretaker to Feedback@nsm-seating.com. 

Mission Moment: Jack Places First in TX Special Olympics Power Chair Slalom

Sometimes the only competition we need is the one with ourselves. NSM client, Jack, recently placed first in the power chair Slalom at the Special Olympics Texas at Boggus Stadium! Click here to see him in action in his Quantum Stretto power wheelchair. 

5-Star Google Review Shoutouts 

5-Star Shoutout for Branch 22
When my family or I receive customer service that is outstanding, I make sure to let others know. Two outstanding people deserve to be recognized and applauded for their dedication, unwavering support and follow through that exemplifies the very best in care and service. Our daughter's wheelchair needs are specific to her body and the first chair she received physically hurt her. She was very discouraged and thought she might have to live with it. She started looking up foam cushions to put between her and the metal bars that were digging into her shoulders. So we reached out to Buffy Rau and Cindy Forrett and told them of this problem. And they got on the case immediately and sent the wheelchair back and worked with our daughter to find the chair that fit all of her needs. It makes a world of difference to her everyday comfort and so much more! These two women put everything into their work and make customers truly feel looked after and cared about! We can't thank them enough! If there are any promotions or pay raises these two more than qualify! 

5-Star Shoutout for Branch 116
From the beginning when I selected the wheelchair to selecting the options that went with it I was very pleased with the knowledge of the NSM representatives. They were patient and most helpful. NSM comes highly recommended.

5-Star Shoutout for Branch 143
Allen and I would like to say, thank you! To the team of people at NSM: for being compassionate and listening to Allen’s needs. We can’t thank you enough. You made a big difference in his life. Laura Frey, who took her time in the fitting and Kris Cartier who took his time making sure it fit him just right. It was worth the wait! THANK YOU❤️🙏🏽

5-Star Shoutout for Branch 174
National Seating and Mobility made the process of getting my custom ultralight chair very smooth! My ATP, Cooper Wile, was absolutely amazing! The evaluation and fitting process was great. Being a new ambulatory wheelchair user, there was a lot that I had to learn. Cooper explained each part, component, and measurement very well. He made sure to hear my goals, needs, and concerns; which helped us find the best equipment that would work for me. My chair took a little over 2 months to come in from the day of my fitting (time included insurance approval process and ordering/assembly of product). My chair was delivered right to my home and showed up being absolutely perfect! Huge shout out and thank you to Cooper and the rest of the team! :)

View more 5-star Shoutouts on the Google Review WNSM page.