The bill that would create a more accessible path for Medicare beneficiaries wanting to upgrade their ultralightweight wheelchairs was described as “common sense” during a Jan. 8 Energy and Commerce Health subcommittee meeting. The meeting centered on several bills related to durable medical equipment and funding barriers such as competitive bidding. Tom Ryan, president/CEO of…
Ultralightweight Upgrade Bill Called ‘Common Sense’ at Congressional Meeting
AAHomecare, VGM Seek Grassroots Accountability Project Volunteers
GAP advocates will bring industry issues to their specific members of Congress.
The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) and VGM & Associates are partnering on the Grassroots Accountability Project (GAP) — and as the project’s name suggests, they are seeking advocacy volunteers. In a Nov. 19 bulletin, AAHomecare described GAP as “an initiative focused on strengthening the HME [home medical equipment] industry’s presence on Capitol Hill. We…
Legislation Introduced as Sept. 30 Telehealth Deadline Looms for Clinicians
Two new bills seek a two-year extension, as advocates work on permanent telehealth coverage.
The Medicare telehealth flexibility granted to physical and occupational therapists since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic is about to expire, again. But newly introduced bills seek a two-year extension. After multiple telehealth extensions throughout the pandemic’s public health emergency (PHE), the current waiver is due to end on Sept. 30, unless Congress takes action.…
Briefly: Registration Opens for September Legislative Fly-In; CRT Awareness Week Is Aug. 18
Featuring NCART, iNRRTS, and U.S. Rehab.
Registration Now Open for September D.C. Fly-In Registration is now open for the Sept. 16-17 legislative fly-in hosted by the National Coalition for Assistive & Rehab Technology (NCART), the International Registry for Rehab Technology Suppliers (iNRRTS), and U.S. Rehab. NCART announced the opening of registration in a July 28 email. The in-person event gives Complex…
Briefly: Ekso Bionics Joins NVIDIA Connect Program; CRT Fly-In Dates Announced
Featuring Ekso Bionics, NCART, iNRRTS, and U.S. Rehab.
Ekso Bionics Accepted Into NVIDIA Connect Program to Accelerate Product Development Ekso Bionics Holdings (Nasdaq: EKSO) has been accepted into the NVIDIA Connect program, which helps software development companies and service providers to accelerate product development, improve cost efficiency, and shorten time to market. “The company plans to use the valuable tools and resources provided…
Bill for Medicare Carbon Fiber, Titanium Upgrades Introduced in House
The bill would make upgrading ultralightweight frames more accessible for Medicare beneficiaries
A bill that would provide a more accessible pathway for Medicare beneficiaries to upgrade to carbon fiber or titanium ultralightweight wheelchairs has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. H.R. 1703 was introduced on Feb. 27 by Rep. John Joyce (R-Pa.) and Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.). It’s described on the Congress.gov website as amending…
AAHomecare Focuses on H.R. 5371 at Congressional Fly-In
The Choices for Increased Mobility bill would provide a way for Medicare beneficiaries to upgrade to carbon fiber and titanium ultralightweight wheelchair frames.
Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) stakeholders at a Sept. 10 Congressional fly-in urged Congress to support H.R. 5371, a bill to provide Medicare beneficiaries a path for upgrading their ultralightweight wheelchair frames to carbon fiber or titanium at their own cost. In a Sept. 18 news announcement, the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) reported that advocates…
‘Dear Colleague’ House Letter Urges CMS to Open Coverage Determination for Power Standing
The deadline for representatives to sign onto the letter is Sept. 27.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) have penned another “Dear Colleague” letter asking the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to open a coverage determination for power standing on power wheelchairs. “Please contact your U.S. representative today and urge them to sign on to the Dingell/Fitzpatrick Congressional sign-on letter urging CMS…
VGM Announces New VP of Government Relations
The new executive served previously in the orthotics and prosthetics industry.
VGM & Associates has appointed Adam Miller to be its new vice president of government affairs. In a Sept. 4 news announcement, VGM noted that Miller previously served as president of VGM’s Orthotic and Prosthetic Group of America. In his new role, Miller “will spearhead strategic engagement with VGM communities, aligning policy and practice with…
Briefly: Senate Companion Bill to H.R. 5371 Expected Soon; Paris Closes Paralympics Games
Featuring AAHomecare, Medtrade, and the International Paralympic Committee.
Report: Sen. Marsha Blackburn to Introduce Ultralightweight Upgrade Bill Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) is preparing to introduce a Senate bill “that would restore access to titanium and carbon fiber wheelchairs for Medicare beneficiaries and for individuals covered by plans that follow Medicare policy and coding,” according to a report from the American Association for Homecare…