The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released lists of HCPCS coding changes effective April 1, 2025. The list, published March 11, includes updates on codes and modifiers that are new, revised or discontinued for the second biannual 2024 HCPCS coding cycle. Wheelchair transit accessories: Two new codes CMS reported that Palmetto GBA,…
CMS Issues HCPCS Code Updates Effective April 1
DMEPOS Relief Act, H.R. 2005, Introduced in U.S. House
New bill seeks to restore Mediare 75/25 blended reimbursement rate.
A bill to provide Medicare funding relief to many home medical equipment (HME) providers has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa). H.R. 2005, the DMEPOS [durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies] Relief Act of 2025, seeks “a 75/25 blended Medicare reimbursement rate for DMEPOs in non-rural/non-competitive bidding…
Ultralightweight Wheelchair Upgrades on the Agenda at AAHomecare’s Expanded Legislative Conference
The conference is scheduled for May 12-13.
Carbon and titanium upgrade legislation will be among the talking points at this May’s legislative conference hosted by the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare). AAHomecare noted in a March 5 announcement that 2025 “has ushered in a new administration and major leadership changes on Congressional committees of jurisdiction for health-care finance issues. Our industry must…
CMS Classifies TAI as Prosthetic Devices, Updates Funding Policy
The change could help wheelchair riders with neurogenic bowel symptoms.
A new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) policy change has opened the door to reimbursement for transanal irrigation devices (TAI), catheters and accessories. United Spinal Association reported on Feb. 13 that CMS published a positive Benefit Category Determination for TAI, catheters and accessories on Jan. 13. United Spinal said CMS now considers this…
United Spinal ‘Closely Following’ Executive Orders Impacting People with Disabilities
President Trump’s executive order could impact funding for Medicaid and other programs.
United Spinal Association is keeping a watchful eye on health-care and disability funding policies that could change due to executive orders from President Trump. “Our policy and advocacy team is gathering all the facts about the orders and resulting policies that impact our community,” said United Spinal President/CEO Vincenzo Piscopo in a Feb. 3 bulletin…
Ultralightweight Wheelchair Upgrade Bill Introduced in Senate
The bill provides a path for wheelchair riders to upgrade to titanium or carbon fiber frames.
Once again, a bill to provide a path for ultralightweight wheelchair riders to upgrade to titanium or carbon fiber frames has been introduced in the Senate. The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) announced the bill’s introduction in a Jan. 27 bulletin. “The Choices for Mobility Act, S. 247, closely follows titanium/carbon fiber legislation introduced in…
Briefly: CMS Announces California Wildfire Flexibilities; First 2025 Abilities Expo Scheduled for March
Featuring the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Abilities Expo.
CMS Announces Flexibilities in Response to California Wildfires The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced flexibilities in response to ongoing wildfires that began last week in Southern California. In a Jan. 10 news alert, CMS said state of California waivers are available for affected providers. Medicare beneficiaries who have lost their durable…
December Spending Bill Extends Medicare Telehealth Coverage Through March
NCART lauds the extension of telehealth for occupational and physical therapists as crucial to timely CRT provision.
The late-December spending bill that funds federal government programs through March 2025 includes an extension of Medicare telehealth funding. President Joe Biden signed H.R. 10545, the American Relief Act 2025, into law on Dec. 21. While critical home medical equipment (HME) legislation, including much-needed funding relief for HME providers, was left out of the bill,…
Noridian SMRC Announces Post-Payment Review of 2022-2023 Catheter Claims
The review involves HCPCS codes A4351, A4352 and A4353.
Noridian Healthcare Solutions, the Supplemental Medical Review Contractor (SMRC) for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), is conducting post-payment reviews of Medicare DME claims for intermittent urinary catheters with dates of service from Jan. 1, 2022, through Dec. 31, 2023. In its announcement, Noridian referenced a February Washington Post story, “US Investigates Alleged…
ITEM Coalition Sends 75/25 Reimbursement Rate Letter to Congressional Leaders
More than 30 advocacy organizations urged Congress to improve funding rates for home medical equipment.
The ITEM Coalition has sent a letter to Congressional leaders to urge their support for the reinstatement of the Medicare 75/25 blended reimbursement rate for home medical equipment. In a Dec. 2 letter, the ITEM Coalition noted that the expiration of the 75/25 reimbursement rate in January has hurt patient access to durable medical equipment…