Four Representatives have introduced a sign-on letter urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to expedite funding reconsiderations for power seat elevation and power standing on complex power wheelchairs.
In the letter, introduced to the industry on Sept. 13, the four Members of Congress — James Langevin (D-R.I.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), and John Rose (R-Tenn.) — referenced the already lengthy timeline for seat elevation reconsideration, as well as the fact that CMS did not open a public comment period for power standing and has not yet announced when that comment period will begin.
A Dear Colleague letter accompanying the sign-on letter noted bipartisan support for Medicare coverage of seat elevation and standing, and noted that CMS took nearly two years — from the filing of the formal request in Sept. 2020 till the opening of the seat elevation public comment period for seat elevation in August 2022 — to move the reconsideration process forward.
Last month, the Dear Colleague letter added, CMS opened the public comment period for seat elevation, but “unexpectedly and without explanation bifurcated the request and did not open the related review of power standing systems or provide a timeline for doing so.”
The sign-on letter thanks CMS for opening the National Coverage Analysis and public comment period for seat elevation; urges CMS to fund seat elevation for Medicare beneficiaries “consistent with the existing body of clinical evidence”; and urges CMS to “promptly move forward” to open the National Coverage Analysis for power standing.
The letter will be sent to CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. The deadline for signing onto the letter is Monday, Oct. 3.
NCART distributed the sign-on letter to participants of the Sept. 14 virtual Congressional Fly-In, who referenced it in advocacy discussions with House and Senate offices. A Senate version of the letter is in the works, according to NCART.
