August 2020
Each month "NCART News" delivers the latest Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) Medicare and Medicaid updates, advocacy opportunities, and event information all in one place.
Deadline for CRT Sign-On Letter Extended
Good news! Representatives John Larson (D-CT) and Lee Zeldin (R-NY) have extended the House sign-on letter closing date until Friday, September 18. They understand it's been challenging to contact offices during the August recess and want to give us more time to continue our outreach to other House Representatives. See the current list of signers here.

This sign-on letter urges CMS to update its policy to permanently protect components (a.k.a. accessories) of CRT Manual Wheelchairs from Medicare's Competitive Bid pricing, just as they did for CRT Power Wheelchair components in 2017.

Let's all take advantage of this extended opportunity. We need YOU to email your Member and ask that they add their name to the letter before it is sent to CMS. More details and links to contact Congress can be found at www.protectmymobility.org.  
Successful CRT Awareness Week August 10-14
A huge thank you goes out to everyone who participated in this year’s National CRT Awareness Week August 10-14. We doubled our numbers with over 65 organizations and thousands of individuals sharing stories, writing articles, posting videos, holding webinars, and broadcasting podcasts. It was so great to see everyone come together to share the CRT message.

The week accomplished exactly what we set out to do, which was to develop a better understanding of Complex Rehab Technology, the people who use it, how it’s prescribed and provided, and why access is so important.

Even though CRT Awareness Week has come to an end, advocacy work to protect CRT will continue throughout the rest of the year. Stay tuned for new ways to get involved!
CRT Remote Services Survey In Process
Remote services and telehealth expansions have played a critical role in the ability to continue to provide equipment and services to the CRT population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, actions are needed to make this a permanent option. A national survey of CRT clinicians, suppliers, and manufacturers is being conducted by the CRT Remote Services Consortium and is purposed with collecting information about applications of remote services and telehealth in the CRT provision process, benefits/issues in its use, and what needs to be considered as we plan for the future. Responses collected will be used in discussions with policymakers and others as we continue discussions to make these expansions permanent.

Responses are due by this Friday, September 4. There are two different surveys: CRT clinicians can participate here and CRT suppliers/manufacturers can participate here. Thank you in advance for your valuable input!

For more information on the CRT Remote Services Consortium, email mlee@ncart.us. 
CRT Medicaid Work in August
NCART continues its work on state-level issues that impact access to CRT. If you are currently dealing with a CRT issue within the Medicaid program please send us an email using the button below. Here is a summary of some of our August activity:

  • Illinois – Held call with Illinois Health and Human Services to discuss CRT policy and payment clarifications; meetings will be held in September to finalize.
  • Indiana – Worked with the Great Lakes Association, AA Homecare, VGM and others to analyze and submit comments regarding the upcoming SPA submission; we have formed subgroup that is conducting additional analysis specific to CRT.
  • Michigan- Senate state CRT bill passed unanimously through Senate Health Services Committee; the bill now needs to move to a Senate floor vote; NCART continues to work with the Michigan Home Care and Hospice Association and the University of Michigan Wheelchair Seating Service. If you are a Michigan resident, please use the link at www.protectcrt.org to get additional details and email your legislators.
  • Oklahoma – An NCART workgroup met to discuss proposed SPA language impacting CRT; a meeting with the Medicaid Director and other Department staff has been scheduled.
  • Texas – NCART will submit a formal letter regarding “master contracts” for certain waiver programs; an NCART work group will meet to discuss CRT telehealth policy and determine next steps with the State.
  • Washington – A workgroup including PAMES, NCART, AA Homecare, and VGM will be formally submitting a draft Medicaid Standing Device policy for consideration by the State.
  • Wisconsin- NCART submitted comments and participated in the public hearing regarding proposed regulations implementing the previously passed state CRT legislation.
Ongoing CRT Industry Webinars
NCART, NRRTS, U.S. Rehab, and the Clinician Task Force continue to host no-cost CRT Industry Webinars to provide the most recent news and information relating to the provision of Complex Rehab Technology.

These presentations address topics including policy changes, billing instructions, legislative updates, best practices, supplier and clinician feedback from the field, CRT advocacy opportunities, and more. The most recent webinar was held on August 20 and the handout and recording of that presentation can be found at www.ncart.us. 

The next webinar is September 24. Stay informed on federal and state issues impacting CRT access and click below to get registered today!
Virtual Conferences and Events
While conferences and trade shows aren’t being held in person these days and we miss being face-to-face with all of you, NCART remains a proud sponsor and participant in CRT related virtual events. We’ve been busy setting up our virtual booths and continuing to share our work and the CRT advocacy voice to increase awareness and support the CRT community.

Below are some of the events we’re thankful to be a part of:

  • Abilities Virtual Experience - June 19-21
  • United Spinal Association Virtual Advocacy Series - May 21, June 24, July 15
  • National Council on Independent Living Annual Conference on Independent Living - July 20 - August 7
  • RESNA 2020 Virtual Conference - September 23-24
  • Abilities Virtual Experience Global - November 13-15
NCART Membership
With the policy and reimbursement landscape for CRT changing from day to day it is critical, now more than ever, for all CRT providers and manufacturers to unite around protecting access. NCART is the strong national association our industry needs, acting to unify involvement and support to fight the ongoing negative trends impacting CRT access.

If your company manufactures or supplies CRT and you haven’t joined other dedicated stakeholders as NCART members, please consider joining this month. Your membership will enable us to continue advocating aggressively on behalf of you and your customers to secure the future of CRT access. For more information on becoming an NCART member, click below or email mlee@ncart.us.
Monthly Motivation
"This Is What We Do"
The Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities is no stranger to helping people achieve independence and function. The video below highlights a few of the examples of how CRT makes a difference in the lives of individuals with complex needs. This is what the "CRT Team" of consumers, clinicians, suppliers, manufacturers, and others accomplishes across the country every day and we're thankful to be a part of protecting access for people with disabilities!

NCART | info@ncart.us | 716-839-9728 | www.ncart.us