NRRTS DIRECTIONS Volume 1 of 2022

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C RT UP DAT E

READY TO TAKE ON 2022 Written by: DON CLAYBACK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NCART

2021 was certainly another challenging time for our country dealing with the pandemic and many other issues. Throughout the year there was no shortage of work to be done to protect and improve Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) access for people with disabilities. Thankfully once again the CRT community came together with determination and dedication to produce positive results that we can celebrate and build on. The major CRT win in 2021 was the successful conclusion of the targeted multi year work to get CRT manual wheelchairs and accessories permanently protected from Medicare’s Competitive Bidding Program (CBP) pricing and excluded from any future CBPs. This was a huge victory for people who depend on CRT manual wheelchairs, and we thank all our advocates, organizations, Congressional champions and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for making this a reality.

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manufacturers and providers are fighting through to supply their products and services to people with disabilities. Establish permanent availability of CRT telehealth services (physical and occupational therapy) to ensure remote access beyond the expiration of the public health emergency. Develop updated plan for components of Separate Benefit Category initiative to secure needed improvements in CRT coverage, coding, payment and standards. Establish a national CRT Repair Workgroup to improve coverage, funding and response (to include ensuring exclusion of CRT from any rightto-repair legislation). Build on current state advocacy and increase activities and tools to prevent Medicaid payment cuts, enforce adherence to federal access regulations and policies, and communicate the benefits and cost-savings that access to CRT brings. Keep the CRT dialogue active with Congress and other policymakers via another successful NCART/ NRRTS CRT remote conference.

Other CRT initiatives and progress from last year included the following: • Worked with Congress and other national organizations to prevent a 4% Medicare DME cut that was scheduled for 2022. • Continued collaboration with the ITEM Coalition to obtain Medicare coverage of power seat elevation and power standing systems. In addition to ongoing discussions with CMS, we were able to get Congress to provide multiple written communications to CMS to move forward. • Educated Congress on the importance of making the current CRT telehealth services (physical and occupational therapy) available on a permanent basis through inclusion in future telehealth legislation. • Pursued needed COVID-19 relief to enable the CRT industry to continue to supply its important products and services. • Advocated in multiple states on Medicaid issues and legislation, prevented CRT cuts, increased state policymakers’ understanding of CRT and added to our state advocacy resources. • Held a successful and first-ever virtual CRT Congressional Fly-In (in partnership with NRRTS) and saw increased engagement from consumers and national organizations throughout the year.

We thank everyone for all the good work in 2021 and look forward to our collaboration in 2022 as we continue to advocate to protect and promote access to CRT for people with disabilities.

The collective work in 2021 sets the stage for more progress (and work) in 2022. There remains much to be done to protect and improve access to CRT, and our 2022 CRT initiatives include: • Obtain Medicare coverage of power seat elevation and power standing systems, including appropriate coding and payment rates. • Obtain relief/assistance for COVID-19 impacts such as supply chain issues and increased operating challenges/costs that

There were two Medicare payment cuts scheduled for 2022. A reinstatement of the 2% Medicare sequestration reduction (tied to a budget bill passed in 2011) and a 4% PAYGO reduction (tied to increased spending for COVID-19). The 2% Medicare sequestration reduction will be gradually reinstated in 2022: 1% as of April 1 and the full 2% as of July 1. The 4% PAYGO reduction will be deferred until at least 2023.

DIRECTIONS 2022.1

2022 MEDICARE CUTS PARTIALLY HALTED As referenced above, legislation was passed and signed at year-end that will minimize/defer scheduled 2022 Medicare cuts that would have severely impacted the ability of CRT providers to supply the specialized technology and supporting services that people with disabilities and chronic medical conditions depend on.


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