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…
VGM Announces New VP of Government Relations
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…
Early AAHomecare Survey Results Reveal Funding Cuts Are ‘Devastating’ HME
Some home medical equipment suppliers are wondering if they will be able to stay in business.
Early results of a July survey from the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) showed that home medical equipment (HME) businesses have been deeply wounded since the January expiration of the 75/25 funding relief rate. In a July 24 update to stakeholders, AAHomecare shared a sampling of comments from the 121 HME suppliers who took the…
NCART Announces Appeal of Medicare CRT Seat Elevation Allowable
In June, CMS increased the allowable by $13.62.
The National Coalition for Assistive & Rehab Technology (NCART) is appealing the latest Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) allowable decision for seat elevation on Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) power wheelchairs. In a July 17 bulletin, NCART said it had submitted a HCPCS coding application “to formally appeal” the CMS decision to increase that…
AAHomecare Survey Asks How Medicare Cuts Are Impacting Beneficiary Access
The Medicare 75/25 blended relief rate for non-bid/non-rural areas ended Jan. 1.
A new survey from the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) is asking home medical equipment (HME) suppliers how Medicare funding cuts are affecting their businesses and impacting beneficiary access to medically necessary equipment. In a July 8 news announcement, AAHomecare announced a national survey “on the impact of the expired Medicare fee-for-service 75/25 blended rate…
CMS Raises CRT Seat Elevation Medicare Allowable by $13.62
Joel Kaiser, director of the division of DMEPOS policy, responded to NCART’s recalculation request.
The Medicare allowable for seat elevation on a Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) power chair is getting a very modest increase. In a June 25 bulletin, the National Coalition for Assistive & Rehab Technology (NCART) said it had been notified that the allowable for HCPCS code E2298 — Complex rehabilitative power wheelchair accessory, power seat elevation…
Commentary: Once Again, Wheelchairs Considered Second-Class Solutions
Medicare is now funding personal exoskeletons. But what’s so wrong about rolling?
In April, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced Medicare coverage for personal exoskeletons. ReWalk (DBA: Lifeward), an exoskeleton manufacturer, praised the decision: “The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has officially revised its April 2024 Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) fee schedule to include a final lump-sum Medicare purchase…
CRT Industry Shares Coding Recommendations for Seat Elevation
The need for a separate heavy-duty code was debated at CMS coding meeting.
In a Nov. 30 discussion with officials from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), representatives from the Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) industry made their case for the complexity of power seat elevation and the CRT clients who use it. The forum was the second biannual HCPCS Coding Cycle public meeting, held by CMS…
