Breaking: According to an American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) bulletin sent out Dec. 8, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation the night of Dec. 7, 2021, that stops the 4-percent PAYGO cuts to Medicare funding in 2022. The legislation also extended the pause on 2-percent sequestration cuts to March 2022. The bill now moves to the Senate.

NCART is asking Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) stakeholders to contact their members of Congress regarding pending Medicare payment cuts.

In a Dec. 7 bulletin, NCART Executive Director Don Clayback warned that providers’ ability to supply medically necessary CRT would be hurt if the Medicare cuts take place.

“Medicare payment cuts are currently scheduled for 2022 unless Congress takes action before year end,” Clayback said. “It was expected that these cuts would have been addressed as part of last week’s budget bill, but unfortunately that did not happen.

“Complex Rehab Technology providers and other healthcare professionals remain committed to continuing to meet the extraordinary challenges in providing effective care during the ongoing COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). However, should these cuts be allowed, it will severely impact providers’ ability to supply the specialized technology and supporting services that people with disabilities and chronic medical conditions depend on.”

NCART is asking industry members to contact their members of Congress to ask them to protect access to CRT by including two items in legislation this year: a waiver of the 4-percent PAYGO cut scheduled for 2022, and an extension of the currently paused 2-percent Medicare sequester cut.

The advocacy section of NCART’s Web site makes it quick and easy for stakeholders to contact their Representatives and Senators. NCART’s letter, which can be e-mailed to Congress, says in part, “Complex Rehab Technology providers and other healthcare professionals remain committed to continuing to meet the extraordinary challenges in providing effective care during the ongoing COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. However, Medicare payment cuts scheduled for 2022 will severely impact providers’ ability to supply the specialized technology and supporting services that people with disabilities and chronic medical conditions depend on.”

The letter adds that providing medically necessary CRT would help to reduce the strain on clinicians and hospitals still fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

To e-mail your members of Congress, click here.