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.…
Legislation Introduced as Sept. 30 Telehealth Deadline Looms for Clinicians
Numotion Launches LMN Navigator to Facilitate Documentation Process
The new system can support therapists and other health-care professionals with limited seating evaluation experience.
Numotion has introduced a way to facilitate the intensive, highly detailed documentation work required for Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) orders. The new LMN [letter of medical necessity] Navigator is “a first-of-its-kind documentation platform designed to streamline, simplify and strengthen the process of completing mobility evaluations,” Numotion said in a Sept. 10 news announcement. “LMN Navigator…
HHS: 2.8 Million Americans Enrolled in Duplicate Medicaid, CHIP, ACA Plans
The Department of Health & Human Services estimated that eliminating duplicate enrollments could save $14 billion per year.
The Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) said an analysis of 2024 enrollment data uncovered 2.8 million Americans who are enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in more than one state, or who are enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP while also being enrolled in a subsidized Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchange plan.…
Insurers Pledge to Streamline Prior Authorization, Ease Provider Burden: What CRT Should Know
AHIP says it is committed to improving the prior authorization process across commercial insurance.
The practices of the nation’s commercial insurance giants – tactics that have included stringent prior-authorization requirements – have increasingly come under scrutiny. In turn, members of Congress and federal health care regulators have called for drastic reform. Those calls for action are now starting to see progress, which could mean a more streamlined reimbursement landscape…
New CMMI Paper Lists Three ‘Strategic Pillars’ to Guide Medicare, Medicaid Strategies
Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation Director Abe Sutton published the paper on May 13.
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI/Innovation Center) has revealed three pillars that will guide Medicare and Medicaid strategies as part of President Donald Trump’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) mandate. Abe Sutton, CMMI director and deputy administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), authored the paper, “CMS Innovation Center Strategy…
United Spinal Reacts to Proposed Medicaid Cuts, Urges Stakeholders to Act
The Congressional Budget Office said the so-called “one big, beautiful bill” would cut $715 billion from Medicaid over the next 10 years.
United Spinal Association is urging stakeholders to act swiftly to prevent sweeping Medicaid cuts that are part of the Trump administration’s so-called “one big, beautiful bill” that advanced out of the budget committee on Sunday night, May 18, according to a report from PBS. The association said in a May 16 bulletin that the bill…
Commentary: What Schoolhouse Rock’s ‘Bill’ Would Want You to Know About Policy
Bills S. 247 and H.R. 1703 to upgrade ultralightweight wheelchair frames are currently in the Senate and House.
I grew up watching Schoolhouse Rock! between Saturday-morning cartoons. While those short videos on grammar, math and American history were great for my education — the preamble song is why my entire civics class scored 100% on that quiz — one video had an outsized impact on my understanding of the legislative process. “I’m Just…
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…
Briefly: CRT Update Webinar Rescheduled for March 27; ISS to Partner with the Abilities Expo
Featuring the National Coalition for Assistive & Rehab Technology, U.S. Rehab, the International Seating Symposium, and the Abilities Expo.
CRT Update Webinar Planned for March 27 The rescheduled Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) industry update webinar sponsored by U.S. Rehab and the National Coalition for Assistive & Rehab Technology (NCART) will take place on Thursday, March 27, starting at 11 a.m. Eastern time. Future-Proofing Complex Rehab Technology: Strategies for Growth and Protection in 2025 will…
United Spinal Calls for Medicaid Stories from Wheelchair Riders
Medicaid funding cuts put beneficiaries’ livelihood and health at risk, the advocacy group said.
United Spinal Association is asking wheelchair riders to share what Medicaid coverage means to them. In a March 19 bulletin to stakeholders, United Spinal announced its new Medicaid Stories campaign, which the organization says is “centered on real-life experiences from the disability community. This campaign aims to educate the public, media and elected officials about…