After his first week as the new administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Mehmet Oz, M.D., shared four goals that embody the “Make America Healthy Again” mandate of President Donald Trump. Here’s #4: “Shifting the paradigm for health care from a system that focuses on sick care to one that fosters…
Commentary: Dr. Oz Wants Prevention? He Should Embrace CRT
CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz Spells Out Medicare, Medicaid Priorities
Oz has been tasked with fulfilling the Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda.
After his first week as the new administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Mehmet Oz, M.D., has listed his priorities for the Department of Health & Human Services’ largest agency. In an April 10 press release, Oz referenced President Donald Trump’s mandate to “Make America Healthy Again.” “Great societies protect their…
HHS Starts ‘Transformation’ that will Reorganize CMS, Other Health-Care Agencies
Programs supporting seniors, people with disabilities will be integrated into other agencies.
With sweeping changes that include reorganizing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has begun the “transformation” mandated by an executive order from President Donald Trump. On March 27, HHS announced that changes — which will involve the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the…
CMS Issues HCPCS Code Updates Effective April 1
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' second biannual 2024 HCPCS coding cycle included changes to hardware codes.
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 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…
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…
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…
CMS Wants to Prevent ‘Barriers to Care’ in Medicare Advantage Programs, Add Guardrails Around AI
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced policy changes last week.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is looking to further crack down on the companies that administer the privatized version of Medicare. On Nov. 26, CMS proposed new policies aimed at holding Medicare Advantage (MA) plans more accountable while removing “unnecessary barriers to care” for Medicare beneficiaries. The policies target “inappropriate” prior authorization…
Nov. 6 HCPCS Public Meeting to Include Discussion on CRT Seat Elevation, Joystick Hardware
NCART and Palmetto GBA have asked the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to make coding changes.
The Nov. 6-8 second biannual HCPCS public meeting includes a request to revise the Medicare reimbursement for HCPCS code E2298, defined as Complex rehabilitative power wheelchair accessory, power seat elevation system, any type.” The applicant — the National Coalition for Assistive & Rehab Technology (NCART) — is recommending that language be changed to “Complex Rehabilitative…