June 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.
COVID-19 and CRT
As things begin to reopen and move toward a “new normal” we continue to monitor changes and advocate to ensure that access to Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) is protected both during the Public Health Emergency (PHE) and beyond. Below is a summary of our June activity:

Industry Webinars - We presented two additional webinars in June as part of our ongoing no-charge series to provide information and resources to the CRT industry. This brings the total number of presentations to ten and we've been pleased to hear that attendees have found them to be very helpful. These are being held in conjunction with NRRTS, U.S. Rehab, and the Clinician Task Force. If you weren’t able to join us you can access the recordings and handouts at www.ncart.us . The next webinar is scheduled for July 23 at 4:00 PM ET and you can register here .

Continuation of Needed Policies - Many of the COVID-19 policies currently in place are only in effect through the term of the PHE. It was just announced that the PHE will be extended at least until the end of October. This is good news, but work is needed to ensure certain policies remain in place after the PHE. We will be working with Congress, CMS, Medicaid programs, and commercial payers so that COVID-related policy changes are made permanent where appropriate.  

Telehealth and Remote Services - Congress acted quickly to expand telehealth during the early months of COVID-19. This expansion has been adopted by Medicare and many Medicaid programs and commercial payers. Discussions and communications taking place with Congress and the Administration are indicating support for making those changes permanent. Thirty Senators recently sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) requesting that the expansion remain in place beyond the PHE. We support these efforts and are advocating for continued telehealth and remote service CRT policies. 

Provider Payment Relief Fund - HHS is distributing additional financial relief to Medicaid/CHIP providers. Unfortunately, providers that received relief in the initial distribution based on Medicare billings are not eligible. HHS and CMS have indicated they are hearing concerns and are looking at potential options to allow Medicaid providers to receive additional payments.
Medicaid Budget Tracking
States are reporting budget shortfalls due to the combination of decreased income and sales tax revenues with increased COVID-19 expenses. As a result, Medicaid programs are at risk for potential cuts to balance state budgets. In order to preserve access to CRT at the state level Medicaid payment rates must be protected. We are monitoring state budgets and conducting outreach to Governors' offices, Medicaid departments, and others to ensure that CRT is not included in any reductions. We are also supportive of Congress authorizing additional state financial assistance. For help or to report state Medicaid cuts, please contact Mickae Lee at mlee@ncart.us.
Medicare Coverage of Power Seat Elevation and Standing
We continue to work with the ITEM Coalition (a national organization of consumer, disability, and clinician groups) to establish needed Medicare coverage of power seat elevation systems and power standing systems used with CRT power wheelchairs. For the past several months, we have been part of a CRT stakeholder group developing a formal “Request for Reconsideration of the National Coverage Determination for Mobility Assistive Equipment” for submission to CMS as the next step in this initiative. The request will present the basis and evidence to support the coverage of these items as a Medicare benefit and will require a formal CMS review and decision. As of this date, 57 national disability, consumer, and medical professional organizations have signed on in support of the submission to secure coverage. Work on this high priority CRT access initiative will continue.
Remembering Cheryl Sensenbrenner
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Cheryl Sensenbrenner, a long-time disability rights champion and advocate for CRT access. Cheryl had a passion for improving the lives of individuals with disabilities and was able to bring people together around related issues. She was the wife of 21-term Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and was well known in the halls of Congress. Cheryl was a past chairwoman of the American Association of People with Disabilities and influenced a number of significant federal changes, including the introduction of our federal CRT Separate Benefit Category Bill. We are indebted to her for her leadership and commitment and will miss her dynamic and enthusiastic personality. Above is a photo of Cheryl (doing her thing) with President Bush, and other key bipartisan Members of Congress at the signing of the ADA Amendment Act of 2008.
Michigan CRT Separate Recognition Bill
Good state news for CRT. Michigan Senate Bill 855 has been introduced by Senator Kevin Daley to establish separate recognition for CRT within the Medicaid program. This legislation will help protect access to these critical products and related services for children and adults with significant disabilities. Improved policies and provider standards will result in stronger safeguards and better outcomes for these Medicaid participants and the state. NCART provided testimony at a Senate Health Policy and Human Services Committee hearing on June 23 along with the Michigan Home Care and Hospice Association (leading this initiative), the University of Michigan Wheelchair Seating Service, and the Clinician Task Force. We were also able to coordinate letters of support from CRT providers and consumer advocacy organizations. For more details visit www.protectcrt.org . If you're a resident of Michigan, please click the button below to contact your legislators in support.
New Manual Wheelchair App
United Spinal Association and the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology at the University of Pittsburgh have co-developed a new app that informs and helps consumers and their families play an active role in acquiring, using, and maintaining their manual wheelchairs and handling health issues related to wheelchair use. The ‘My Wheelchair Guide’ manual wheelchair mobile app (MWG Manual) includes tools and resources to guide consumers through the wheelchair selection, delivery, and maintenance process. The app also provides practical information to evaluate each individual’s unique medical and functional needs, whether they are a beginner or advanced wheelchair user. It is available for download from Google Play and Apple App Store by searching “MWG Manual”.
CRT Manufacturers and Providers Unite
In times like these all CRT providers and manufacturers need to unite around protecting access. If your company is not an NCART member yet, please consider joining this July. The industry needs a strong national association with unified involvement and support to help fight the ongoing negative trends in CRT coverage and payment. Your membership will enable us to continue advocating aggressively on behalf of you and your customers. For more information on becoming an NCART member, click below.
A Podcast with NCART
NCART recently had the pleasure of speaking with Laurie Watanabe on a Mobility Management podcast. Don Clayback and Mickae Lee answered questions about NCART's work to help the CRT industry navigate the challenges of the Pandemic, how the world of CRT is changing, what resources are available, and what advocacy opportunities are coming up this summer. Click below to listen.
CRT Awareness Week August 10-14
Each summer we dedicate one full week to raising awareness about CRT and highlighting the many ways it makes a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. These five days are a time for CRT users, providers, manufacturers, clinicians, and other advocates to show what CRT is all about. Save the date for August 10-14 and get ready to help us celebrate CRT!
Monthly Motivation
"The Beginning of Advocacy"
The Americans with Disabilities Act is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this July 26. Listen to the stories of those who were there at the beginning to lay the groundwork for change and teach us all how to work together to make a difference in the world around us. For more information on the ADA, its history, and how we're celebrating its anniversary, visit www.Access2CRT.org/ADA.

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