6 minute read
CRT Update
MID-SUMMER CRT UPDATE
Written by: DON CLAYBACK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NCART
CUTS TO CRT MANUAL WHEELCHAIR ACCESSORIES DELAYED
While we still have work to do, Complex Rehab Technology (CRT)manual wheelchair users got a big win thanks to the advocacy ofCRT stakeholder organizations and individuals.
On June 23, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)announced a 90-day delay in the scheduled July 1 Medicare cuts to CRT manual wheelchair accessories. If allowed, these cuts would be a result of an inappropriate application of Competitive Bidding Program pricing information. The suspension will stay in place through Sept. 30 and, accordingly, there will not be any payment reductions or claims processing changes during this time.
While this is not a permanent fix, it shows the concerns of the CRTcommunity were heard and listened to. Given the delays in the seating of the new Department of Health and Human Services secretary and CMS administrator, along with all the other dynamics in the past 12 months, this was a positive interim solution that we will build on to secure the needed permanent policy.
This outcome was the result of many months of collaborative CRT advocacy to ensure these damaging cuts did not go into effect July 1.We want to thank Rep. John Larson, D-Conn., and his congressional colleagues, including Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-NY, and Sens. Bob Casey,D-Pa., and Rob Portman, R-Ohio, for their leadership and support. We also sincerely thank CMS for their action that protects access to CRT manual wheelchairs during this extended period.
Special thanks to all the consumer, clinician, supplier and manufacturer individuals and national organizations for coming together to urge CMS and Congress to take needed action. Consumer and clinician groups included the ITEM Coalition, United Spinal Association, Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation,ALS Association, Spina Bifida Association, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Center for Medicare Advocacy, and the Clinician Task Force. Provider and manufacturer groups included NRRTS, U.S. Rehab, AA Homecare and RESNA. Thanks also to the NCART Legislative Committee and the advocates who held in-person meetings in Washington, D.C.
We remain committed to securing a permanent fix and have been communicating with CMS. We will stay in contact as we move through this delay period to achieve the needed policy to permanently protect access to CRT manual wheelchairs for the people with disabilities who depend on them.
PURSUIT OF PERMANENT TELEHEALTH FOR CRT
The expectation is Congress will be passing national telehealth legislation later this year, in advance of the expiration of the Public Health Emergency. Our objective is to make sure that the availability of a CRT-related telehealth services is made permanent.
We have been having ongoing discussions with representatives in congressional offices and supporting advocacy from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and American Speech- Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
Our primary focus is support of the “Expanded Telehealth Access Act” HR 2168, introduced by Reps. Mikie Sherill, D-N.J., and David McKinley, R-W.Va. This bill provides a permanent designation of physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists as authorized telehealth practitioners.
Members of our National CRT Telehealth Consortium are staying active. The Clinician Task Force has conducted a survey of physical and occupational therapists to gather examples of how telehealth has been a benefit to individuals with disabilities having CRT-related needs. These real-life cases will be shared with Congress, policymakers, and others to increase awareness of the application and positive outcomes that result from the use of telehealth by physical and occupational therapists in the CRT provision process.
While Congress continues to have discussions about a national policy, it is important advocates deliver the CRT request to their individual members. It only takes 5 minutes to visit www.protectmymobility.org and send the prepared email asking for support of legislation to permanently authorize physical and occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists as telehealth practitioners. Please share this with others and send your own emails today.
COVERAGE OF POWER SEAT ELEVATION AND STANDING
As reported for several months, we are eagerly awaiting CMS’ announcement requesting public comments on their reopening of the National Coverage Determination (NCD) to potentially extend Medicare coverage to include power seat elevation and power standing systems used with power wheelchairs. This comment period is the next step in securing Medicare coverage of these important technologies that will provide significant benefits to people with disabilities.
Our hope is that with new CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure now in place, we will see progress on this initiative. We continue to work with the ITEM Coalition and will be supplying resources to allow organizations and individuals to submit supporting comments to CMS once the comment period begins.
VIRTUAL CRT CONGRESSIONAL FLY-IN
While the pandemic has produced the need for many changes, what has not changed is the need to continue to communicate the CRT access message directly to Congress. Since we are not having our traditional in-person National CRT Conference in Washington, D.C., this year we will be doing something new.
We are proud to announce that NCART and NRRTS will be holding a first-time Virtual CRT Congressional Fly-In on Tuesday Sept. 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. We’re excited to offer the opportunity for stakeholders to communicate important CRT messages to their members without having to leave the comforts of their home or office. We will take care of scheduling your appointments and preparing you with the materials needed to have effective and productive virtual meetings.
Plan to join us on Sept. 21 for a day of sharing the needs and benefits of access to CRT with your congressional representatives and senators. Save the date in your calendar and watch for additional details to get registered.
NATIONAL CRT AWARENESS WEEK
In conjunction with our Virtual CRT Congressional Fly-In, we will also be holding this year’s National CRT Awareness Week from Sept. 20 to Sept. 24.
This annual event is designed to allow suppliers, manufacturers, clinicians and consumers to collectively share and promote a better understanding of CRT across the country. That understanding includes the people who use it, how it is prescribed and provided, the benefits it brings, and why access is so important.
Last year over 65 organizations and thousands of individuals participated by sharing stories, writing articles,posting videos, holding webinars and broadcasting podcasts. It was great to see everyone come together to share the CRT message. We look forward to having even more organizations and individuals participate this year.
BECOMING AN NCART MEMBER
NCART is the national advocacy association dedicated to protecting CRT access. To continue our work, we depend on membership support to take on important federal and state activities.If you are not an NCART member,please consider joining. For information visit the membership area atwww.ncart.us
CONTACT THE AUTHOR Don may be reached at DCLAYBACK@NCART.US
Don Clayback is executive director of the National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology (NCART). NCART is national organization of Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) providers and manufacturers focused on ensuring individuals with disabilities have appropriate access to these products and services. In this role, he has responsibility for monitoring, analyzing, reporting and influencing legislative and regulatory activities. Clayback has more than 30 years of experience in the CRT and Home Medical Equipment industries as a provider, consultant and advocate. He is actively involved in industry issues and a frequent speaker at state and national conferences.
