Each month "NCART News" delivers the latest Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) Medicare and Medicaid updates, advocacy opportunities, and event information all in one place. |
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Congressional Signatures Needed - Take Action TODAY |
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The CRT community is depending on you to ask your Members of Congress to join the House and Senate "sign-on letters" to CMS regarding needed coverage of power seat elevation and standing systems for complex wheelchairs. We need you to take action today!
These Congressional communications will be critical in getting CMS to understand that they must move forward quickly in the process of determining coverage for these systems. Senators only have until September 30 and House Representatives only have until October 3 to sign on.
Here's how you can help (and it only takes 3 minutes):
1.) Visit www.protectmymobility.org by clicking the button below. Use the email system to send a pre-written message to your Members of Congress that asks them to sign on to the letters.
2.) Share the website and the need for additional support with your friends, family, coworkers, and other advocates who want to help establish Medicare coverage of these systems for individuals with disabilities.
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Thanks and Keep Up the Good Fight |
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CRT Stakeholders and Friends,
As shared earlier this year, today is my last day as NCART Executive Director. I want to sincerely thank all the individuals and organizations who have joined in our advocacy to protect access to CRT during my 13-year tenure. It has been a true honor to work with everyone on such an important mission. I particularly thank Mickae Lee and Debi Renehan for all their dedicated work on the NCART team and wish incoming Executive Director Wayne Grau and all the NCART members the best of success moving ahead.
Through the collective actions of the CRT community, we have been successful in establishing an awareness of CRT and getting important legislation passed and policies established at the federal and state levels. But more is needed. We must continue these efforts and get even more CRT voices involved in educating and getting legislators and policy makers to fix issues that are limiting people’s ability to get the CRT they require. So to all, keep up the good fight to get what's needed and what's right.
Best Regards, Don Clayback
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Public Comment Period Closes for Power Seat Elevation |
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The CMS public comment period regarding Medicare Coverage of power seat elevation systems closed on September 14. We are happy to report that over 3,500 comments were submitted, which sends a strong message to CMS regarding the need to establish coverage for this important technology. Comments submitted by NCART can be viewed here. Thanks to all stakeholders who also submitted their comments.
CMS will now review the comments along with information submitted within the application for coverage and will issue a proposed decision memo in February 2023. This will be followed by another 30-day public comment period. A final coverage decision is expected in May 2023. NCART will continue to actively work with the ITEM Coalition and other disability advocacy groups to secure coverage.
NCART will also continue to engage with ITEM and our Congressional supporters to push CMS to open the public comment period regarding Medicare coverage for power standing systems as soon as possible and commence their review of these systems.
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Record-Setting 2022 Virtual Congressional Fly-In |
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The September 14 NCART/NRRTS Virtual Congressional Fly-In was an overwhelming success. This year's event scored record attendance with over 300 advocates who held meetings with 292 Congressional offices throughout the day. Attendees from 43 states represented all voices within the CRT Community: consumers, clinicians, providers, manufacturers, family members, caregivers, and others. We thank Congress for their time and attention to these CRT discussions.
Attendees are now carrying out the important task of following up with offices on the CRT "Congressional Asks" presented, which included establishing Medicare coverage of power seat elevation and standing systems, obtaining federal financial relief for CRT providers and manufacturers for increased operating challenges and expenses, and getting CRT telehealth options made permanent after the Public Health Emergency expires. More information about these asks can be viewed here.
We thank each of the advocates for their dedication and engagement in delivering the CRT messages, not just during the fly-in but throughout the whole year. We also thank our generous CRT industry sponsors for providing the needed financial support to hold the event. Plans have already begun for our 2023 event and we look forward to connecting the voices of CRT advocates with Congress once again!
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September 14 CRT Congressional Briefing |
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In conjunction with the Virtual Fly-In, the ITEM Coalition held a Congressional Briefing supporting Medicare coverage of power seat elevation and standing systems which NCART was pleased to help organize and support. The briefing was well-attended and featured clinicians, consumers, and policy experts who shared their perspectives regarding the importance of establishing Medicare coverage for this technology. Special thanks go to Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Rep. Dan Meuser (R-PA) for speaking at the event and adding their important supportive comments. |
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National CRT Repair Coalition |
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Timely and professional repair and service is an essential part of providing Complex Rehab Technology. That premise was the basis for forming the NCART National CRT Repair Coalition. 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. The Coalition has met to identify areas of needed reform and has begun collecting information that will be used in our advocacy efforts. Additional stakeholders and advocacy groups will be included as we move ahead. Stay tuned for future updates.
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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, manufacturers, associations, and policy makers strategic advice and direct advocacy on state issues to protect and improve access to CRT.
When a significant access issue is identified within a state, NCART's Payer Relations Committee and our state workgroups convene to review the problem, identify needed solutions, and implement the necessary advocacy plans. Below is a summary of some of our ongoing work:
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Alaska – An NCART provider workgroup has met to summarize provider access concerns that include reimbursement for manually priced items as well as service/repair policy and documentation requirements currently restricting access. NCART has provided initial information to the Department and meetings are scheduled to request the needed changes.
California – An NCART stakeholder workgroup is meeting monthly to address issues impacting access to CRT through the Medi-Cal program. Discussions are ongoing and another meeting with the Department is scheduled on September 30. Additionally, a separate Cal-AIM CRT workgroup is working to develop a CRT policy proposal for submission to that program.
Nevada – An NCART provider group met to summarize current access challenges and NCART has had initial discussions with the Department; additional information was provided to the Department and an October meeting was requested.
Utah – An NCART provider workgroup has met and discussions with the Department continue on solutions to CRT provider concerns. Additional information and analysis are being gathered for Department review and outreach to state legislators is being planned.
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October 27 CRT Industry Webinar |
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Join NCART, NRRTS, U.S. Rehab, and the Clinician Task Force as they provide another no-cost informational update during the CRT Industry Webinar on October 27 at 4:00 PM ET. It’s been a very active few months for policy and coverage of CRT. Don’t miss these important updates! Register now by clicking the button below. |
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If your company provides or manufactures CRT and is not yet an NCART member, help us fight negative trends in coverage and payment by joining today.
Your membership is crucial! This support enables us to continue to advocate aggressively to maintain and establish the policies needed to ensure that people with disabilities have access to the specialized equipment and services they require and you provide. Learn more about NCART membership by clicking the button below.
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Upcoming CRT-Related Events |
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NCART welcomes opportunities to support events that promote CRT education and advocacy. Here are some of the events that we're proud to help publicize:
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Monthly Motivation
You Know What Happened? She Soared!
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International Wheelchair Day is on March 1 every year. But Dallas, a spunky young lady with Cerebral Palsy, celebrates it every day - and so do we. International Wheelchair Day is a day that's set aside specifically to acknowledge the way in which wheelchairs maximize independence and create more opportunities for individuals to do some of their favorite things. Click below to watch this video of nearly 30 people sharing what they love and how their wheelchairs help make it possible. |
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