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 client’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 and submits the FMA results to the standardized minimum/uniform dataset (M/UDS). 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, and the healthcare provider submits the details of the newly-delivered equipment.

Then U.S. Rehab administers ongoing FMA follow-ups based on a schedule beginning 21 days post-delivery of their new equipment; this is called “time two.” The FMA “time two” compares the new equipment to the old and monitors the client’s progress. Additional follow-ups are scheduled at 90, 180, and 365 days post-delivery, and annually thereafter. These subsequent follow-ups provide more longitudinal data on the client’s experiences.

When fifty “time 2” data sets are obtained, the data is 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.

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

FMA Outcomes Project Participation

FMA Outcomes Project participation is available at two levels to best suit your operational needs and capabilities: 

Independent Administration (Clinical): Initial and delivery client data is collected by the clinician as well as follow-up data, which is then compiled and analyzed by the FMA Outcomes Project participant.

Group Administration (Advanced): Initial and delivery client data is collected by the clinician, follow-up data is collected and compiled by U.S. Rehab, and complete data set is analyzed by the University of Pittsburgh, producing a comprehensive quarterly report for the clinician when minimum data set is obtained, and annual review and provision of official FMA documents if updates are made. 
Participation Cost: $2,500 annually

Either participation level requires an End User License Agreement (EULA), available here to be signed and submitted. After submission, the official FMA documents will be sent to you and usage may begin immediately. 

Submit the contact form above or email info@usrehab.com 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 periodically provide participants with their results in a standard report after a minimum amount of data is collected. This report 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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