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SPRING CRT UPDATE Written by: DON CLAYBACK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NCART
CONGRESS MUST EXTEND CRT TELEHEALTH OPTION Thankfully the country is beginning to work its way out of the hold of the COVID-19 pandemic. For the nation’s health care system, a significant step in this process will be the ending of the current public health emergency (PHE). The PHE declaration is in place until mid-April and can be extended in up to 90-day increments by Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. The expiration, which is expected to occur this year, will bring with it major national and state changes. These changes include the ending of a variety of “temporary” provisions put in place to address the pandemic's challenges. One of the provisions expiring, unless Congress takes action, is the expansion of certain covered telehealth services that have significantly benefited people with disabilities who require Complex Rehab Technology (CRT). The unique telehealth flexibilities temporarily in place have allowed timely access for individuals with long-term disabilities such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and traumatic brain injury who depend on this specialized equipment. The temporary expanded coverage gives occupational and physical therapists the ability to provide CRT-related telehealth services during the PHE. It allows these licensed professionals to participate remotely for CRT evaluations, fittings and training when an in-person visit is not possible due to medical risks, transportation barriers, lack of experienced clinicians in the community and other factors. But the availability of these remote services will end when the PHE expires, unless Congress takes action. Congress is currently reviewing various telehealth bills, and we need to ensure whatever legislative language is passed, it retains these CRT telehealth options. Rather than allowing these proven flexibilities to expire, Congress must make these CRT telehealth policies permanent. Please help get that message to your Members of Congress by taking five minutes and to visit www.protectmymobility.org and sending the prepared email. Thanks for your assistance in protecting access to CRT for people with disabilities.
POWER SEAT ELEVATION AND STANDING COVERAGE Advocacy work continues urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to move forward in the process of considering and establishing Medicare coverage for power seat elevation and standing systems for power wheelchairs.
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In recent meetings, CMS acknowledged they have been having internal discussions regarding the application for coverage, which was accepted as complete in November 2020. The needed next step in the CMS process is the formal reopening of the National Coverage Determination and the commencement of a 30-day public comment period. ITEM Coalition members and initiative stakeholders are re-engaging with congressional leadership to ask that this initiative be made a priority in outreach to the White House and CMS. Updated discussions are also being held with national advocacy organizations and others on additional options to highlight the need to get CMS to take long overdue action. More information will be shared as it becomes available.
NCART STATE CRT WORK As we all know, coverage and funding at the state level plays a key role in the availability and provision of CRT products and supporting services. NCART offers suppliers, state associations and other CRT stakeholders strategic advice and direct advocacy on state issues to protect and improve access to CRT. When a significant access issue regarding CRT is identified within a state, NCART’s Payer Relations Committee and our state workgroups convene to assist in analyzing the problem, identifying needed solutions and implementing the necessary advocacy plans. If you have a state CRT issue, please contact Mickae Lee at mlee@ncart.us.
THE POPULAR CRT INDUSTRY WEBINARS ARE BACK FOR 2022.
