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Medicare News
Advocates Increase Efforts to Block New Medicare
Rules on Power Wheelchairs, Scooters
More restrictive power mobility rules to take effect on
October 1
 September
12, 2006 Power wheelchairs and scooters they have been a God-send
for many disabled senior citizens but a costly headache for Medicare -
prices have escalated as new enhancements were added to these machines
and many with marginal need have found questionable means to get a
physician to prescribe their need to meet Medicare requirements.
Medicare struck back by tightening the rules with tougher requirements
to become effective on October 1. Advocates have organized to bring
pressure on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to delay
implementation of the new rules.
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Related Stories |
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Power Mobility Industry Ready for Another Run at CMS
Restrictions
Sept. 12, 2005 The battle is still raging over
the regulation of power mobility equipment (wheelchairs and scooters)
proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The
Restore Access to Mobility Partnership (RAMP), a coalition representing
power wheelchair providers and manufacturers, is pushing for a delay in
the interim rule proposed by CMS.
Read more...
Medicare Moves to Streamline Access to Power
Vehicles
Aug. 24, 2005 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services (CMS) today took another step to streamline and ensure
appropriate access for people with Medicare to power operated vehicles
commonly called scooters and power wheelchairs. In an interim final
rule with opportunity to comment that went on display today at the
Federal Register, CMS clarified the requirements for prescribing,
supplying, and receiving payment for these vehicles. The interim final
rule builds on current clinical standards of care.
Read more...
Medicare Policy on Coverage of Power Wheelchairs,
Scooters Draws Fire
Advocate says it is antiquated and illegal; industry
sees problems but says its step in right direction
May 7, 2005 Medicare announced the final criteria
for coverage of mobility assistive equipment (MAE), which includes
wheelchairs and scooters, this week and the reactions, as expected, were
not all favorable. The primary objections were about requirements that
the devices must be necessary in the home. Robert M. Hayes, president of
the Medicare Rights Center said it is an antiquated and illegal policy
that will keep tens of thousands of Americans in cruel and unnecessary
isolation. Read
more...
Power Wheelchair Industry Asks Clarification of New
Medicare Rules
Feb. 9, 2005 - A coalition of power wheelchair
manufacturers and suppliers today recognized the Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services (CMS) for its timely development of a new draft
coverage policy for power mobility equipment, but said several
provisions must be clarified before a formal policy is implemented.
Read more...
New Medicare Power Wheelchair, Scooter Coverage
Criteria Criticized
Medicare Rights Center says CMS remains in the Dark
Ages
Feb. 5, 2005 Medicare this week released draft
coverage criteria for coverage of power wheelchairs and scooters, which
they say will rely on clinical guidance for determining need. But, the
Medicare Rights Center says the new policy
does nothing to provide mobility to people who need help to get out of
their homes. Read
more...
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The basic argument by advocates, which include the
American Association of People with Disabilities, is that the new rules
will force senior citizens to receive wheelchairs and scooters that will
not meet their medical needs.
Although the AAPD claims 50 million members and
supporters, it is a small organization - the Clinician Task Force -
taking a major leadership role in the fight with CMS. The CTF has just
28 members, primarily seating and wheelchair practitioners, whose work
involves providing wheelchair seating and mobility services to
individuals with disabilities. This task force was formed by clinicians
concerned about the current CMS coverage policies for wheeled mobility
devices, and says it operates independent of all mobility device
manufacturers and suppliers.
CTF lead the charge as advocates called on the CMS
yesterday to delay the scheduled implementation, charging that
individuals with mobility impairments, including senior citizens and
people living with disabilities, will become "prisoners in their homes"
because of the new policy that "operationalizes" the coverage, coding
and pricing changes that CMS has recently made to the Medicare power
mobility benefit. They want the policy revised.
"Medicare is seeking to save money on the mobility
benefit at the expense of senior citizens and people of all ages with
disabilities," said Barbara Crane, PhD, PT, ATP, and co- coordinator of
the Clinician Task Force.
"Clinically, it is standard professional practice
to address all mobility needs for typical daily activities; we aim for
individuals to be as mobile as possible. This policy conflicts with
accepted medical practice, and will confine people to their homes and in
some cases to a single room in their homes."
"Under the procedures scheduled for implementation
on Oct. 1, Medicare coverage for power wheelchairs and scooters will be
restricted to inexpensive, low-powered models leaving people with
degenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease or
post polio syndrome in the position of no longer qualifying for an
appropriate level power chair that also plans for their future medical
needs," says a news release issued by the advocates.
"This shortsighted approach will unnecessarily cost
the taxpayers more in the future when patients have additional medical
and mobility needs."
Currently, Medicare pays for power mobility
equipment only if it is required to help a beneficiary perform essential
daily activities inside their home, such as eating, dressing or using
the bathroom. However, the coverage policy previously allowed
beneficiaries to receive a power wheelchair also capable of outdoor use,
so many individuals were active in their communities and could go to the
store, shopping or to the bank.
"After Oct. 1, many beneficiaries will receive
wheelchairs that don't meet their needs," said Henry Claypool, an
advocate from the Independence Care System, a nonprofit supporting
people with disabilities in New York City.
"It makes no sense that Medicare should pay for a
wheelchair that won't maneuver over the threshold of a sliding glass
door. At a minimum, Medicare must facilitate people leaving their homes
in emergency situations instead of making them prisoners in their
homes."
Andrew Imparato, president and CEO of the AAPD,
agreed, saying, "It is outrageous that Medicare will seek to cut costs
by victimizing people who most need their assistance. These changes will
impact the thousands of people who will need power wheelchairs and
scooters now and in the coming weeks, months and years. As Baby Boomers
grow older, there will be an increased need to meet their mobility
needs, but Medicare won't be there for them."
Technically, the new standard will require that a
Medicare beneficiary be unable to stand and pivot to get into the seat
of a power wheelchair or scooter to be eligible for the best of the
inexpensive, low-powered models that CMS will cover after Oct. 1.
"It is unfortunate that new CMS guidelines are not
intended to meet the functional needs of Medicare beneficiaries," said
Laura Cohen, PhD, PT, ATP, a co-coordinator of the Clinician Task Force.
"They are based on cost-cutting standards that require individuals to be
completely non-ambulatory to receive an appropriate mobility device.
These rules will undoubtedly force many beneficiaries into inappropriate
and low-functioning mobility devices. And that is not in the best
medical interest of these individuals or fiscally responsible to
taxpayers."
The Clinician Task Force is comprised of 28
members, primarily seating and wheelchair practitioners, whose work
involves providing wheelchair seating and mobility services to
individuals with disabilities. This task force was formed by clinicians
concerned about the current CMS coverage policies for wheeled mobility
devices. the CTF exists and operates independent of all mobility device
manufacturers and suppliers.
>>
Clinician Task
Force home page
>>
American
Association of People with Disabilities home page
>>
Independence Care
System home page
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