Functional Mobility Assessment (FMA) Outcomes Program

The Functional Mobility Assessment (FMA) is a tool that measures a consumer’s ability to function while using mobility equipment like walkers, wheelchairs, or prosthetic/orthotic devices. By performing the FMA survey with a client, clinicians can quickly and accurately measure patient satisfaction and ability to perform Mobility-Related Activities of Daily Living (MRADLs).

By comparing a consumer’s initial FMA score to their follow-up score after receiving new equipment, healthcare providers and policymakers can better conclude the impact of the assistive device. Additionally, by collecting more follow-up scores at later dates, this impact can be reliably tracked over a period of time.

Created in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh, the FMA demonstrates that employing qualified professionals, prescribing quality equipment, and utilizing deliberate managed-care plans increases positive outcomes and reduces overall costs. By using the FMA as an objective, quantitative measure, we can conclude what services are responsible for improving clients’ health and quality of life.

How it Works:

First, healthcare providers complete the FMA during their client assessment. The FMA is a series of 10 questions that take approximately 5 minutes to complete and can be integrated seamlessly with the initial client intake, typically while discussing background and medical history. This assessment yields the FMA “time one” score, a number out of 60, which pertains to the client’s current assistive equipment.

Service delivery then continues unchanged, including the practitioner’s device recommendation, fitting, and delivery. 21 days after receiving their new equipment, U.S. Rehab administers an FMA follow-up by phone. This FMA “time two” is used to compare the new equipment to the old and monitor client progress.

In addition to the “time two,” 21-day follow-up, U.S. Rehab performs additional follow-ups at 90, 180, and 365 days post-delivery, and annually thereafter. This provides more longitudinal data on clients’ experiences.

Clinicians then submit their FMA results to the standardized minimum/uniform dataset (M/UDS), and U.S. Rehab fills in the follow-up data collected. These data points are professionally analyzed, and reports are periodically returned to participating clinicians. These reports can elucidate data trends and help healthcare providers identify their strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities to improve their practice.

U.S. Rehab also compiles the data from all FMA Outcomes Program members into one robust, multivariable dataset, to which members have access. This “big data” allows for further systematic analysis, potential publication in scientific literature, and ultimately, increased standard of care.

FMA Outcomes Project Membership:

All FMA Outcomes Program members can begin collecting FMA data for free. The only required document, the End User License Agreement (EULA), can be obtained here. After submitting a signed copy of the EULA, you will be sent the official FMA documents, which you can begin using right away.

Members of the Tier 2 have access to additional U.S. Rehab services. First, members submit their data to the FMA database where it will be professionally curated. At this tier/membership level, U.S. Rehab will also perform periodical follow-ups; once you collect and submit your FMA time one, our professional team will do the rest. Tier 2 members also have the ability to browse the full FMA M/UDS database, and U.S. Rehab will provide you with reports and analysis on your data.

Tier 3 is the most comprehensive membership program available. At this level, members receive all the benefits of tiers 1 and 2 in addition to a more advanced, thorough report on your clinic’s FMA data. This report analyzes your data with respect to other clinicians’, allowing you to see how your services compare to overall trends in the industry. Data is also presented in graphical, visual formats, allowing for easier communication to policymakers and funding sources.

To get started, submit the contact form or email [email protected] to contact U.S. Rehab and begin your FMA Outcomes Program today.

Completely free – contact U.S. Rehab to access FMA services today!

Submit the contact form above or email [email protected] to contact a U.S. Rehab representative and discuss what tier is best for your organization today.

Benefits of the FMA: 

Improve Consumer Outcomes

The data that has been collected shows that proper rehab products and services provided by quality ATPs help keep patients out of the hospital, reduce wound frequency, and lower the number of patient falls. 

Industry-Supporting Data

Growing this national database creates a pool of data that supports insurance contracts, defends complex rehabilitation technology (CRT) pricing, and demonstrates the importance of ATPs to CMS and other policymakers. 

Improve Internal Quality

U.S. Rehab will provide participants with their results in a standard report after a certain amount of data is collected, which can be used for internal QA programs and company policies for accreditation purposes.

Move Towards Value-Based Care

It is the industry’s duty to make payers realize that proper equipment and tracked care plans reduce the future cost of care per client. To keep the CRT industry viable, providers must move towards an outcomes-based health care system. By using the FMA, providers will possess outcomes data before the insurance companies and CMS require it. 

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