The time to act is now, not after this becomes law.Yes, this means you!
Many consumers do not know how or where to find out about legislation that will affect their right to access Complex Rehab products through Medicare, Medicaid (and after trickle down effect, private payers) until it is too late!
Complex Rehab products include manual and power wheelchair systems, adaptive seating, alternative positioning, and other devices that require substantial evaluation, fitting, configuring, adjusting, or programming to meet the specific and unique needs of an individual with significant postural or mobility deficits.
The individuals that require Complex Rehab products have a primary diagnosis that:
- results from injury or trauma(1); or
- is congenital(2); or
- is traced to childhood onset(3); or
- is traced to adult onset(4); and
- is primarily musculoskeletal or neuromuscular in nature.
So to “get the word out” in my next few blogs, I am sharing the latest information sent out from NRRTS (National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers) and NCART (National Coalition of Assistive and Rehab Technology).
My intent in sharing this information is to let “all sides” of Complex Rehab be available to consumers. Your right and the rights of others just like you to make the financial decision about their power wheelchair may be taken away if Section 1141 of the “America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009″ becomes law. Here is some more information about section 1141 from NRRTS:
NRRTS Position on Section 1141 of the
“America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009″
NRRTS is opposed to the elimination of the first month payment option for all power wheelchairs as proposed in the discussion document released by the House Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Labor Committees on June 19th, 2009. The power wheelchair first-month purchase option language we oppose is on page 208-209; Section 1141. Because their need is long term, Medicare beneficiaries with disabilities should be allowed to purchase their power wheelchairs. Beneficiaries with qualifying mobility impairments use their PWCs daily and for the rest of their lives.
There is little to support the notion of renting these devices. The supplier must pay the manufacturer the entire cost of the power wheelchair, typically within 30-60 days and then wait up to 15 months to recoup their investment along with any minimal profit that they might realize. In the interim, they are responsible for upkeep, maintenance and repair of these mechanical and electronic products – without any compensation. The term rental indicates to us that a product is put out for a period of time and then rented again to another party. The service delivery model involved with power wheelchair does not fit this model.
NRRTS is even more diametrically opposed to the elimination of the first month purchase option for Complex Rehab Group 3 power wheelchairs. This class of technology is highly configured to meet the individual needs of the specific person with a mobility deficit and most often requires other specialized and individualized, medically necessary components to assure physiologic stability, function and general well-being. These power mobility systems are used throughout the lifespan of the individual and often, due to changes in medical condition, parts and components need to be replaced. This type of technology is very high maintenance and the follow-up and reassessment intervals are dictated by individual need and not by a fixed maintenance schedule. Rental of this kind of equipment is impractical because even if this equipment is no longer used by the initial client, the chance of re-rental is extremely low. Forcing a rental model on the beneficiary who requires Complex Rehab technology would greatly reduce the chances of these disabled individuals with Medicare receiving appropriate technology.
Further, the utilization of Group 3 power wheelchairs, as per information reported to NRRTS and other industry organizations over the past years, is very low. Careful review of the utilization data will reveal that the savings realized by eliminating the first-month payment option for Group 3 is very low, especially compared to the significant negative impact that this move would have on the health, functional capability and well being of Medicare beneficiaries with significant mobility, physiologic and functional disabilities.
To serve the needs of these Americans with disabilities who rely on power wheelchairs, members of the House Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce; and Education and Labor committees must not eliminate the first month payment option on all power wheelchairs.
Short of this, these Committees absolutely must not eliminate the first month payment option for Group 3 power wheelchairs. The difference between the individuals requiring Group 2 power wheelchairs and those requiring Group 3 power wheelchairs has already been clearly recognized by Congress in its decision to exempt the Group 3 class of products from Competitive Bidding. The obvious sequel is to follow suit and not eliminate the first month payment option for Group 3 power wheelchairs.
For more information on what you can do to stop this from moving forward go to;
As a consumer, therapist, supplier, or family member, what are YOU doing to ensure access to needed medical equipment?
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