Federal and State Work in 2023
Establishing Medicare Coverage for Power Seat Elevation and Power Standing Systems
Clinical evidence shows that power seat elevation and power standing systems provide significant medical benefits to people with disabilities and enable them to be much more independent in their homes and communities.
NCART will continue to collaborate with the ITEM Coalition-led initiative to secure appropriate Medicare coverage for power seat elevation. On May 16, CMS officially posted a final Benefit Category Determination (BCD) and National Coverage Determination (NCD) for power seat elevation systems (read the full decision memo here). This new coverage applies to both traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans. Following that announcement, NCART will continue to actively partner with the ITEM Coalition and others to secure coverage, coding, and pricing.
Stakeholders have continued to seek clarity from CMS about when the 30-day comment period for power standing systems can be expected. To date, CMS has not offered any additional detail regarding an anticipated timeframe. Visit www.protectmymobility.org for more details.
Industry Relief
CRT providers and manufacturers are committed to supplying important CRT products and supporting services to individuals with disabilities. However, these companies and their staff continue to face significant challenges that must be addressed:
- Increased payroll expenses due to the need to retain qualified staff.
- Increased freight charges.
- Difficulties in obtaining products and supplies in a timely manner.
- Increased raw material costs, product costs, and surcharges.
- Increased distribution and delivery expenses.
We will continue to work alongside other industry organizations to push this message on the federal and state level in 2023. Our goal will be to seek the needed support and relief that CRT providers and manufacturers require to provide timely access to their customers.
CRT Service and Repair Reform
Timely and professional repair and service is an essential part of providing Complex Rehab Technology. The related issues and solutions are complex and must be properly analyzed and developed to ensure appropriate actions are taken.
NCART continues to work with our provider and manufacturer members and others in the CRT community to advocate for policies that improve reliable access to these services on the federal and state level. Stakeholders have met to identify areas of needed reform and have begun collecting information that will be used in our advocacy efforts.
