Tyler's Thoughts: Will AI Make It's Way Into CRT?

Published in Complex Rehab on April 21, 2023

By Tyler Mahncke, Vice President, U.S. Rehab

By now, you have likely heard about ChatGPT, an online language model developed by Open artificial intelligence (AI) using Generative Pretrained Transformer architecture. 

If you haven’t heard of ChatGPT, you likely will soon as they set a record for being the fastest platform to a million users, beating out Instagram, Spotify, Facebook, and Twitter.

People are starting to use this technology to create posts on Facebook, do their high school homework assignment, and write emails for them. It sounds great, but we do need to be careful as this technology starts to creep into the CRT industry. 

Below is an example of a letter of medical necessity I asked ChatGPT to build for "Betty," who has ALS and needs a Group 3 powerchair. It looks great, but it is missing quite a few things (manual muscle tests, ROM, SAT, pain scale, etc.). We need to be very careful and keep our eyes out for abuse of this program within our industry as there could be some serious risks that go along with utilizing this technology, including HIPAA violations. Using a template has been seen to be unacceptable by Medicare for the face-to-face exam if they see that multiple copies come through with different names.

The moral to the story is, AI isn’t going anywhere. We can and should find ways to use it to make our lives easier, but there are also security risks that can come with large penalties if we misuse this intelligence.

Example

[Your Name] [Your Title] [Your Address] [City, State ZIP Code] [Your Phone Number] [Your Email]

[Date]

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to request a group 3 power wheelchair for Betty Smith, who is diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). As her healthcare provider, I believe that this wheelchair is medically necessary to improve her mobility and overall quality of life.

ALS is a progressive disease that affects the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and ultimately respiratory failure. As a result, individuals with ALS experience a decline in their ability to perform activities of daily living, including walking, standing, and even sitting upright.

In Betty's case, her muscle weakness has progressed to the point where she can no longer walk or stand without assistance. She is also experiencing significant fatigue and difficulty maintaining a seated position for prolonged periods. A power wheelchair is essential for her to maintain her independence, to participate in social and recreational activities, and to move around her home and community with ease.

A group 3 power wheelchair is specifically designed for individuals with severe mobility impairments, such as those with ALS. It provides advanced features such as power tilt, power recline, and elevating leg rests, which can help to alleviate pressure sores, improve circulation, and provide greater comfort for the user. The chair's programmable control system can be adjusted to meet Betty's individual needs, such as her level of muscle weakness, posture, and range of motion.

Therefore, I strongly recommend that Betty Smith be provided with a group 3 power wheelchair as soon as possible. This chair is medically necessary to improve her quality of life and to help her maintain her independence and dignity.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]