What is Complex Rehab Technology and How Does it Support Those with Mobility Limitations?

What is CRT?

Millions of Americans, no matter their age or medical circumstance, can be affected by a mobility limitation. A few root causes include congenital conditions, progressive diseases, spinal cord injuries, age-related complications, or experiencing a life-altering injury.

For most individuals, a walker, scooter, or standard wheelchair is all that’s needed to regain mobility. However, for people facing significant physical limitations, these types of simple mobility devices often aren't enough. That’s where Complex Rehab Technology (CRT), or customized mobility equipment, comes in—a powerful and personalized solution that caters to the individuals’ unique mobility limitation. Since the introduction of CRT devices, mobility users have been able to drastically improve their independence and overall quality of life.

At Rehab Medical, we’re committed to helping mobility users access life-improving solutions. In this blog, we’ll break down what Complex Rehab Technology is, how it impacts the healthcare industry, who qualifies for it, and why it plays a crucial role in long-term health and independence.

What is Complex Rehab Technology?

Complex Rehab Technology refers to medically necessary, individually configured devices designed for people with significant mobility challenges. Because this equipment is medically necessary and highly individualized, getting qualified for the equipment requires an in-depth evaluation by a team of specialists—including physicians, physical therapists (PTs), occupational therapists (OTs), and certified Assistive Technology Professionals (ATPs).

This in-depth evaluation is essential because individuals who use CRT rely on this equipment every hour of the day, not just to get around, but to sit safely, complete daily activities, and live as much of an independent lifestyle as possible.

How Complex Rehab Technology Supports Mobility

1. Customized Mobility

CRT devices are typically custom-configured power wheelchairs or custom-configured manual wheelchairs with features like:

Adjustable seating and positioning systems
- Adjustable seating features come in a variety of options ranging from back cushions, seat cushions, and contoured seating options, to customizable memory seating positions and adjustable seat height for maximum comfort. This is a great feature for those who have spinal injuries, muscle imbalances, or severe nerve damage.
Adaptive drive controls
- Custom wheelchairs can be equipped with a variety of adaptive drive controls, including hand controls for accelerating and braking, electronic throttle systems, and modified steering systems like spinner knobs or joystick systems. These adaptations are tailored to individual needs and limitations, ensuring comfortable and safe driving.
Programmable settings
- Programmable settings make it easy for the user to have full control over body movements. This is because most advanced custom wheelchairs come with various programmable settings that can adapt to the user’s specific movements as well as adjust to meet the needs of the user’s environment, making it easy to access things like cabinets or light switches, as well as making transfers seamless.

These features can make navigating different environments easier and safer. Both devices are primarily meant to be used indoors but can be used outdoors if necessary.

2. Health Benefits

A custom-configured CRT solution can offer many health benefits for the user. When coupled with advanced seating capabilities like tilt and recline, users can adjust their positioning for proper spinal alignment, redistributing weight, improving digestion and blood circulation, promoting bone and respiratory health, and reducing the risk of developing pressure sores.

3. Improved Independence

By restoring or enhancing mobility, CRT gives users the ability to perform daily tasks on their own—like cooking, working, attending school, or socializing, which contributes significantly to mental and emotional well-being. It also allows users to stay in their homes and avoid institutional care.

4. Caregiver Relief

With properly configured CRT, caregivers often experience less strain and stress. Devices can be adjusted to assist with transfers, mobility in tight spaces, and even communication for those with limited speech.

Who Qualifies for Complex Rehab Technology?

CRT users are typically dependent on their equipment to perform daily activities such as toileting, dressing, feeding, grooming, and bathing safely or in a reasonable amount of time without assistance. These limitations are typically caused by neurological conditions (e.g., spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis), muscles diseases, or congenital skeletal deformities. In many cases, these individuals are at heightened risk of injury or medical complications—such as falls or pressure sores—without the right equipment.

The Process: From Referral to Mobility Freedom

The journey to receive CRT is thorough, and for good reasons. Custom mobility equipment is often a life-long commitment and evolves as the user’s condition progresses overtime. Getting all the pieces to fit into place perfectly can mean the difference in having a better quality of life or requiring institutionalized care. Here’s how the Rehab Medical team guides patients through the process to ensure every mobility user gets the best opportunity to live an independent lifestyle.

Step 1: Requesting Mobility Equipment

When a request for mobility equipment is received, our team first reviews the request to confirm if the individual is in a serviceable area and that their insurance is accepted.
If those details are verified, the request is sent to our insurance team, who reviews the individual’s medical records, personal information, and insurance coverage to ensure everything is in order.
If any critical information is missing—such as documentation clearly stating the medical need for mobility equipment, the team may request that the prescribing physician schedule a follow-up appointment with the individual to complete what’s missing.

Step 2: Establishing a Need

To qualify for insurance coverage, a mobility user must undergo a physical evaluation that documents the medical need for custom mobility equipment. These evaluations are best conducted at a seating clinic. This is the ideal setting for completing a mobility evaluation because seating clinics offer comprehensive evaluations in specialized healthcare settings to ensure the chosen equipment meets the individual’s unique needs. Additionally, seating clinics allow professionals like ATPs, PTs, OTs, and specialized clinicians to collaboratively work together in real-time with the user on equipment features that can offer improved comfort, better postural alignment, and increased independence.

It’s important to note that throughout the CRT evaluation process, an ATP must be present for equipment to be recommended or requested. The reason ATPs are required to be involved is due to their extensive knowledge of CRT solutions. Since ATPs are required to go through extensive training and must pass the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) certification exam, they can provide better insight into the best equipment for the user and help bridge the gap between what’s medically necessary and what’s practically reasonable for the user.

Once at the seating clinic, the mobility team will establish some goals for the new equipment by asking questions like:

Is there a particular type of chair the user is seeking?
What equipment, if any, is the user currently using to get around?
What’s the user’s current level of function for completing daily activities?
What are the primary activities the user needs to complete daily?
What is the user’s current mobility level without a mobility solution?

Getting answers to these questions helps the ATP provide expert guidance so the user receives equipment that fully supports their posture, pressure relief, or movement needs.

Step 3: Scheduling & Follow-up

The CRT process is highly collaborative and can take up to 90 days to complete, depending on how quickly the prescribing physician and insurance provider respond. With certified ATPs on staff, Rehab Medical delivers personalized care, actively advocates for the user, and provides continuous follow-up to keep the process moving forward.

Advocacy, Awareness & Action

Access to CRT can be complicated by insurance policies, limited awareness, or regulatory hurdles. But whether you’re a caregiver, clinician, policymaker, or mobility user, it’s essential to understand the life-changing potential of this technology—especially when it’s paired with the right process and the right people.

From the first referral to the final delivery, CRT is a team effort—and one that can restore independence, dignity, and overall quality of life. That’s why advocacy groups, healthcare professionals, and users themselves play a crucial role in pushing for better coverage, funding, and policy support to make CRT available to everyone who needs it.

Want to learn more about CRT or how you can support someone in need? Connect with one of our specialists today—we’re here to help.