VGM Education

Elizabeth Cole, MSPT
Director of clinical rehab services
U.S. Rehab

Elizabeth received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Gordon College and a master’s degree in physical therapy from Boston University. During the last 25 years, she has been involved in many aspects of the provision of assistive technology. As a physical therapist, she practiced in neuro-rehabilitation, with a specialty in spinal cord injury. Elizabeth later joined a major DME manufacturer, working in seating and mobility sales and as director of education. She then worked as a consultant, providing clinical and reimbursement consulting for DME and assistive technology. Elizabeth currently develops educational products, programs and services in the areas of seating and wheeled mobility, assistive technology, support surfaces, wound care, bariatrics and reimbursement for U.S. Rehab.

Topics:

Evaluation, selection and reimbursement for manual and power mobility and wheelchair seating for the adult, geriatric, pediatric and bariatric populations
Medicare reimbursement for wheeled mobility, wheelchair seating and therapeutic support surfaces from a clinical perspective
Characteristics, symptoms, causes and assistive technology needs for individuals with disabilities
Biomechanics of seating and positioning
Overview of assistive technology for the ATP

Back to the top

Jackie Dzugen
Manager of home modifications
VGM HOMELINK^®

Jackie has worked in the medical field since 1985, and in the workers’ comp arena since 1992, specializing in special rehab equipment, home modifications, catastrophic injuries, orthotics and prosthetics, and nursing. She has been performing home modifications and assessment for five years. She is certified by the CEU Institute to provide CEUs to adjuster and case managers.

Topics:

Home modifications
Vehicle modifications
Accessibility design

Back to the top

Jerry Keiderling
President
Accessible Home Improvement of America (AHIA)

Jerry Keiderling is president of VGMs’ newest division, Accessible Home Improvement of America (AHIA), promoting home modifications and accessibility solutions for those wishing to live independently in their own homes.

Jerry previously served as president of U.S. Rehab, where his responsibilities included the development and enhancement of a nationwide membership organization for high-end rehabilitation providers. Jerry has been an associate and a member of the management team for The VGM Group, since 1996.

Prior to joining The VGM Group, Keiderling was employed by Miller Medical Service of Waterloo, IA, specializing in rehab sales and service. Keiderling is an active member of the following rehab service organizations:

RESNA (Rehabilitation Engineers Society of North America)
AAH, CRMC (American Association of Homecare, Complex Rehab and Mobility Council)
NRRTS (National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers)
NCART (National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology
CEAC (Certified Environmental Access Consultant)

Topics:

Rehab and home modification business practices

Back to the top

Greg A. Packer
Vice president
U.S. Rehab

Greg’s background, which includes sales management for Pride Mobility Products Corp. and Biocore Medical Technologies, Inc., gives him an understanding of both the sales and product areas of rehabilitation technology. Additionally, he served three terms in the Kansas House of Representatives, so Greg is familiar with the regulatory and governmental issues facing the rehab/HME industries. A graduate of Iowa State University, Greg received his master of business administration degree from Baker University.

Topics:

Medicaid issues
Rehab business operations

Back to the top

Bill Stelzer
Home modifications coach, HME consultant
Accessible Home Improvement of America (AHIA)

Bill is the retired general manager of Green Bay Home Medical Equipment, where he increased net sales from $1.5 to $6 million while decreasing Medicare/Medicaid/insurance contracting billings. Under his leadership, the company also increased retail sales by more than 1,200 percent. Bill received a bachelor’s degree from Marian College, Fond du Lac, Wis., a master of coaching certification through the Healthcare Partnership, and a character education teacher/trainer certification through the Josephson Institute. He is a licensed respiratory care practitioner, a certified cardiac exercise technologist and previously was a registered cardiac/vascular ultrasound technologist.

Topics:

Home modification to meet medical needs
Aging in place
Retail (CASH) sales – Futuring
Utilizing the media for effective marketing

Back to the top

Peggy Walker, RN
Billing and reimbursement adviser
US Rehab

Peggy assists VGM members with pre-pay review of rehab claims and other Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement issues and NSC re-enrollment processing. Peggy worked with the Region C DMERC as lead nurse in post-pay review, and assisted with development of coverage criteria for wheelchairs, CPMs and other medical policies. She is currently a member of the Jurisdiction C Council, the Education A team leader for Jurisdiction C, member of the Rehab Council for AAH, and member of Region D NSC DAC and Region A POE. Peggy is very active with state associations, state Medicaid, manufacturers, and private pay insurances. She now offers community forums to educate referral sources about their responsibilities in documentation process.

Topics:

Medicare documentation requirements
How to prepare for an audit
Supplier standards and completing the 855S form correctly
How to effectively use an ABN
Mobility assist equipment
Documentation requirements for power mobility devices from point of contact to delivery
Community forums - how to educate your referral sources

Back to the top