Mobility Management

  • Home
  • Topics
    • Automotive Mobility
    • Billing / Reimbursement
    • Government / Legislation
    • Home Accessibility
    • Pediatrics
    • Power Chairs
    • Seating & Positioning
    • Ultralightweights
  • News
  • Featured
  • Podcasts
  • Request Media Kit
  • Webinars
  • Subscribe
  • Digital Edition
  • Awards
  • Advertise

New CMS Proposed Rule Includes CRT Manual Wheelchair Change

October 29, 2020 by Laurie Watanabe

A new proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) includes December 2019 legislation regarding Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) manual wheelchairs and accessories.

That legislation exempted CRT manual wheelchairs and accessories from Medicare’s controversial competitive bidding program.

The proposed rule also provides details on an 18-month suspension of using competitive bidding-derived pricing to determine payment rates for CRT manual wheelchair accessories. That moratorium expires June 30, 2021.

CMS released the proposed rule on Oct. 27. In a bulletin to CRT stakeholders on Oct. 28, NCART Executive Director Don Clayback said, “While it is good to see these items officially included in the CMS proposed rule, we need to continue to push CMS to ‘make permanent’ the temporary CRT manual wheelchair accessory policy.”

Clayback added that the proposed rule also suggests changes to make HCPCS coding applications, reviews and modifications “easier and more transparent,” and suggests a new process of public consultation for benefit category determinations and payment determinations for Medicare Part B items, including new durable medical equipment (DME), prosthetics and orthotics.

“NCART will be conducting a more in-depth review and carrying out further analysis before submitting formal comments on these proposals by the late-December due date,” Clayback said.

On the DME front, CMS also announced that its Medicare competitive bidding program would award contracts — valid starting Jan. 1, 2021 — in only two competitively bid categories: off-the-shelf back braces and off-the-shelf knee braces. “They will not be moving forward with implementing competitive bidding in 13 of 15 product categories,” Clayback said in his bulletin. “We expect that CMS will be issuing further details.”

Related Articles Read More >

New NIH, CMS Partnership Aims to Build ‘Data Platform’ for Research on Chronic Conditions
Despite assurances that patient privacy will be protected, some health-care stakeholders are wary about data sharing.
MaRS, Toyota Mobility Foundation Call for Startups to Join Mobility Unlimited Hub in Toronto
The program provides funding, technical and marketing support to cohort members.
Reviewing RESNA’s Evacuation Standard: Performance Requirements, Installations, Inspections … and Why They Matter
The standard is open for comment till June 23.
Briefly: ‘Stronger Together’ Podcast Launches May 13; Parkinson’s Researchers Seeking Volunteers for Scratch-and-Sniff Test
Featuring United Spinal Association, M.A.R.C. Network, and the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

GET THE FREE NEWSLETTER

Mobility Management Newsletter

Subscribe to Mobility Management's newsletter for industry & product news, trends and resources. Click here.
podcasts
Mobility Management
  • HME Business
  • Senior Housing News
  • Home Health Care News
  • Skilled Nursing News
  • Hospice News
  • Behavioral Health Business
  • Contact Us
  • About Us

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Mobility Management

  • Home
  • Topics
    • Automotive Mobility
    • Billing / Reimbursement
    • Government / Legislation
    • Home Accessibility
    • Pediatrics
    • Power Chairs
    • Seating & Positioning
    • Ultralightweights
  • News
  • Featured
  • Podcasts
  • Request Media Kit
  • Webinars
  • Subscribe
  • Digital Edition
  • Awards
  • Advertise