Please accept our best wishes for a happy and healthy new year as we move into 2022. We are looking forward to continuing to work with the Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) Community and its advocates and stakeholders to make more progress protecting access to CRT for people with disabilities.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra has renewed the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) through late April. A PHE declaration lasts until the Secretary declares that the PHE no longer exists or upon the expiration of the 90-day period of the declaration, whichever occurs first. The PHE can be extended as many times as deemed necessary.

This is an important declaration, as once the PHE expires many Medicare and Medicaid “temporary policies and available services and options” will be eliminated. Regarding the CRT provision process, one key negative consequence would be the elimination of remote (telehealth) services from physical and occupational therapists.

At the present time it is not possible to predict when the PHE declaration may end, but the Secretary has stated he will give at least 60 days advance notice. Work regarding CRT telehealth flexibilities is discussed further below.

The initiative to secure Medicare Coverage of Power Seat Elevation and Standing Systems continues to await the next step in the process, which is CMS opening a 30-day “public comment period” to solicit input on the opening of the National Coverage Determination (NCD) Reconsideration.

As reported, ITEM Coalition workgroup members met with CMS leadership in late December reviewing the basis for coverage and urging they take the next step. Unfortunately, although CMS accepted the request "as complete" in November 2020, there has been no substantive movement since that time.

CMS did acknowledge receipt of Congressional letters in support for moving the request forward. They also indicated that there have been ongoing internal discussions and those are continuing.

Follow up discussions are being pursued with our Congressional champions and others to encourage CMS to prioritize the need for action to get this important Medicare coverage in place.

Congress continues to deliberate which of the current COVID-19 telehealth flexibilities will be made permanent once the PHE expires. CRT stakeholders have been communicating to their Members that telehealth options for CRT must be made permanent to maintain important benefits for individuals with disabilities who depend on remote clinical CRT evaluations.

We are asking all CRT advocates to deliver the CRT message by visiting www.protectmymobility.org and sending a pre-written email to Members of Congress asking for support. Please click the button below and take three minutes to send your message to help ensure continued access!

As we all know, coverage and funding at the state level play a key role in the availability and provision of CRT products and supporting services. NCART offers providers, associations, and policy makers strategic advice and direct advocacy on state issues relating to the coverage, funding, and provision of CRT.

When a significant access issue regarding CRT is identified within a state, NCART's Payer Relations Committee and our state workgroups convene to assist providers, manufacturers, state associations, and others in reviewing the problem, identifying needed solutions, and implementing the necessary advocacy plans. Below is a summary of our work in January: 

Is your company an NCART member? NCART is the industry association focused on working with policymakers, legislators, and others to establish and maintain coverage and funding to protect CRT access. Membership support from dedicated CRT manufacturers and suppliers is what allows us to keep fighting negative trends in coverage and payment.

There is no shortage of advocacy work to be done and the CRT Community has proven that working together with purpose and determination produces positive results! If you aren’t already an NCART member, please click the button below to read more and consider joining us to protect the future of CRT access.

NCART welcomes opportunities to support the CRT community by participating in events that promote education and advocacy. Here are some of the events that we're proud to help publicize:

On January 1, influencer and advocate Zach Anner started the 2022 Like Yourself Challenge as a fun, simple way to generate some positive thinking and encouragement in the community. On day four of the challenge, Zach took a moment to recognize and appreciate that certain experiences in his life have cultivated his own empathy and compassion for others. Click below to hear his message and consider participating in celebrating what you like about yourself as well!