December 1999

Announcements

• NRRTS Reports Patient Referral Solicitation To HCFA, OIG
• National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers Announces New Internet Web Site
• TOY STORY 2 OPENS NOVEMBER 24 with Closed Captions

NRRTS Reports Patient Referral Solicitation To HCFA, OIG

National Regjstry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers (NRRTS)
P.O. Box 4033
Lago Vista, Texas 78645-4033

Contact: Judy Vance, NRRTS Administrator
Phone: 512-267-6832; Fax: 512-267-6833; E-mail: nrrts@ctsinet.com

For Immediate Release

Oct. 27, 1999

NRRTS Reports Patient Referral

Solicitation To HCFA, OIG

LAGO VISTA, Texas -- A home medical equipment dealer headquartered in Mississippi has allegedly been soliciting, by postcard, power wheelchair business by offering incentives of up to $500 to physical therapists for patient referrals.

The post card solicitation, made this month, was brought to the attention of The National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers by a member who received complaints from physical therapists in that state. According to the Mississippi chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association, 460 physical therapists are chapter members. It is unknown how many physical therapists were sent or received the solicitation.

After learning about the alleged solicitation, NRRTS forwarded the information on to the Health Care Financing Administration, which administers the Medicare program for Congress, and to the Office of Inspector General for assistance.

Part of the post card solicitation reads: "We are in need of Physical Therapists to help us locate qualified power wheelchair patients, complete all necessary paperwork, assist in the delivery of power wheelchairs and provide instruction to patients in the proper operation of power wheelchairs. These duties can be performed in addition to your regular employment." The company also stated that it "will compensate you at the rate of $500.00 per patient for services rendered and will guarantee that our fees for service are the highest in the industry."

"NRRTS members responded negatively to the solicitation, particularly because it might involve powered wheelchairs for Medicare beneficiaries," said Denise Harmon, ATS, CRTSTM, NRRTS president and Ethics Committee chair. She manages the Naperville, Ill., location of National Seating & Mobility Inc., a rehabilitation technology company. "In addition, offering such an incentive for referrals goes against the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice which every NRRTS member must adhere to."

NAMES Re/hab Section co-chair and NRRTS member Gary Gilberti, CRTS said this type of post card solicitation undoes everything that NAMES and NRRTS have worked for to establish credibility and trust in the re/hab industry. Gilberti is president of Chesapeake Rehab Equipment Inc., a re/habilitation technology company in Baltimore, Md.

"I can't imagine this not being viewed as a tremendous conflict of interest," said Rita Hostak, vice president of government relations for Sunrise Medical, Longmont, Colo., which makes powered wheelchairs. Hostak also is a past chair of the NAMES Re/hab executive committee. "Paying therapists to do evaluations and paperwork is one thing, but this post card appears to offer to pay therapists for referrals and that is inconceivable."

"This is indeed a very serious matter," said David Williams, director of government relations for Invacare, Elyria, Ohio, which also manufacturers powered wheelchairs. He also co-chairs the NAMES Re/hab Section. "I believe that the people who are sending that post card have crossed over the line and their actions threaten every legitimate rehab technology supplier."

There are no members of NRRTS who have identified this company as their employer.

To become a member of NRRTS, the applicant must agree to abide by the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. These documents can be viewed on the Internet web site www.nrrts.org.

NRRTS is dedicated to ensuring the provision of high quality rehabilitation technology and related services to people with disabilities. All members of NRRTS meet specific professional membership requirements and agree to adhere to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of our organization. A Certified Rehabilitation Technology Supplier (TM) is a NRRTS member in good standing who has successfully completed the RESNA ATS (Assistive Technology Supplier) credentialing examination.

In an effort to keep our records current, please contact the NRRTS office if the contact person, address or other pertinent information is not correct. Your assistance will be appreciated.

National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers
P.O. Box 4033, Lago Vista, Texas 78645-4033
Phone: 512/267-6832; Fax: 512/267-6833
E-mail: nrrts@ctsinet.com ; Web Site: www.nrrts.org

Post Care PR

10/29/99

National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers Announces New Internet Web Site

National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers (NRRTS)
P.O. Box 4033
Lago Vista, Texas 78645-4033

Contact: Judy Vance, Administrator
Phone: 512-267-6832; Fax: 512-267-6833
E-mail: nrrts@ctsinet.com

Web Site: www.nnts.org

For Immediate Release

National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers
Announces New Internet Web Site

October 29, 1999

LAGO VISTA, Texas - The National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers has announced its new web site at www.nrrts.org. The site can help anyone who wants to locate a qualified professional knowledgeable about Re/habilitation Technology. NRRTS members, more than 500 professionals nationwide, specialize in the field of assistive technology and service delivery.

"The new NRRTS web site will be most helpful to clinicians, funding sources and people with physical disabilities," says NRRTS president Denise Hannon, ATS, CRTS, manager of National Seating & Mobility Inc., a rehabilitation technology company in Naperville, Ill.. "Anyone who has needed information on a customized wheelchair or help in finding the right seating system knows the benefits of working with a knowledgeable team member," she adds. "The new NRRTS web site gives the rest of the clinical team a quick way to find such a person in their area."

The web site also explains the extensive criteria to become a member of the Registry, ensuring the member has the knowledge of re/habilitation products and the experience in working with referring clinicians, finding sources and the patient/customer.

Features include:

• A fully searchable database to find a NRRTS members
• The NRRTS Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice
• A list of benefits to working with a NRRTS member
• A Newsroom for press releases and other important industry and professional information
• Updated every two weeks.

NRRTS is dedicated to ensuring the provision of high quality rehabilitation technology and related services to people with disabilities. All members of NRRTS meet specific professional membership requirements and agree to adhere to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of our organization. A Certified Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers is a NRRTS member in good standing who has successfully completed the RESNA ATS (Assistive Technology Supplier) credentialing examination.

In an effort to keep our records current, please contact the NRRTS office if the contact person, address or other pertinent information is not correct. Your assistance will be appreciated.

National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers
P.O. Box 4033, Lago Vista, Texas 78645-4033
Phone: 512/267-6832; Fax: 512/267-6833
nrrts@ctsinet.com ; Web site: www.nrrts.org

Toy Story 2 Opens November 24 with Closed Captions

Buena Vista Pictures, General Cinema Theatres, and WGBH are pleased to present the film TOY STORY 2 with Closed Captions featuring the Rear Window Captioning (RWC) system at General Cinema theatres in these 8 cities:

Boston
Clifton, New Jersey (10 miles west of Manhattan)
Philadelphia
Baltimore
Chicago
Seattle
Los Angeles
Milwaukee

In most of these cities, the movie will be playing with Rear Window Captioning at the theatres listed below for several weeks, from Wednesday, November 24 onwards. HOWEVER IT IS POSSIBLE RWC MIGHT NOT BE AVAILABLE DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF THE FILM'S RUN and/or THE FILM MAY BE PLAYING IN MORE THAN ONE THEATER AT A GENERAL CINEMA COMPLEX. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO ALWAYS CONTACT THE THEATRE FIRST TO MAKE SURE THE FILM IS PLAYING IN THE RWC EQUIPPED THEATER AND TO CONFIRM THE SHOWTIMES.

Because of the very tight deadline, we were unfortunately unable to describe this film for those who are blind or visually impaired. The next confirmed movie set to debut with closed captions and descriptions is STUART LITTLE (from Sony Pictures Entertainment) coming to theaters on December 17.

There is no additional charge for using the technology -- just the cost of a normal movie ticket. Because there are a limited number of captioning screens (or reflectors), we recommend showing up at least 40 minutes in advance.

Theatre Names, Phone Numbers and Addresses:

NYC/NJ, Clifton Commons 16: 973-614-0966
On eastbound Rt. 3 in Clifton, NJ next to Barnes & Noble.
(Toy Story 2 will be available with RWC as of Friday, November 26 at 12:00, 2:45, 5:30 and 8:15.)

Philadelphia, The Plymouth Meeting 12: 610-397-0780. At Plymouth Meeting Mall, next to IKEA.

Chicago, The Yorktown 18: 630-495-0012
300 yards east of the intersection of Highland Avenue and Butterfield Road, in Lombard, Illinois, directly across the street from the Yorktown Shopping Center and the Embassy Suites Hotel.
(From Wednesday 11/24 to Sunday 11/28, Toy Story will only be available in the RWC format at 8 and 10:20 PM. Matinees will be added in the future.)

Seattle, Pacific Place 11: 206-652-8908.
In downtown Seattle at the corner of 6th and Pine Streets. Beginning Wednesday 11/24, showtimes in the RWC-equipped auditorium are 10 AM, 12:30 PM, 2:45, 5:00, 7:15 and 9:30 PM. (on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday night this week, there will also be a special 11:30 PM showtime.)

Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks: 818-986-3078,
4500 Van Nuys Blvd. in Sherman Oaks, Calif.
(will begin playing Toy Story on Wednesday, Nov. 24th at 11:15 am, 1:50 pm, 4:30 pm, 7:00 pm & 9:40 pm.)

Boston, Framingham 16: 508-875-6151
22 Flutie Pass in Framingham, behind the Natick Mall and Shoppers World.
(Due to construction, will begin playing Toy Story with RWC sometime the week of November 28th)

Milwaukee, Mayfair Mall 18: 414-777-0467
In Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, 6 miles west of Milwaukee. (Beginning Wednesday 11/24, the showtimes in the RWC-equipped auditorium are 10:10 AM, 12:45 PM, 3:15, 5:45 and 8:15 PM.)

Baltimore, Owings Mills 17: 443-394-0060
In Owings Mills, MD northwest of Baltimore on Rt. 795.

TOY STORY 2 is rated G and was closed captioned by The Caption Center at WGBH. For more information on the film, visit www.toystory2.com

The Rear Window Captioning system was made possible by WGBH's Motion Picture Access Project or MoPix, a project of the CPB/WGBH National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM).

MoPix is working with leaders in the film and exhibitor industries to make more films available with closed captions and video descriptions in more venues. For a list of equipped conventional and large format theaters, to find out the answers to frequently asked questions, to find out what you can do to bring these technologies to your community, visit the MoPix Web site at, www.mopix.org.

Mary Watkins, Outreach Manager
Media Access at WGBH
(The Caption Center, Descriptive Video Service, CPB/WGBH National Center for Accessible Media/NCAM)
125 Western Avenue, Boston, MA 02134
617 300-3400 v
617 300-2489 TTY
ncam@wgbh.org
www.wgbh.org/access or www.mopix.org

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