January 2021
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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A New Congress and Administration
With the new year comes a new President, a new Congress, and new Cabinet members and administration staff. A key factor on the health care policy side is that President Biden will be appointing Xavier Becerra as his Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary. Mr. Becerra has been the California attorney general since 2017 and previously served 12 terms in the House of Representatives.

Immediate attention will be a continued focus on COVID-19 relief and assistance, which may take a variety of forms. This will pick up on the legislation passed at year-end that included an extension of the Medicare Sequester COVID-19 Moratorium to delay the 2% sequester cuts for an additional three months until March 31, 2021, $284 Billion in additional Paycheck Protection Program loans, individual stimulus payments, and unemployment benefit increases. 

As the new Administration is established, NCART will be setting up discussions to continue our work pursuing CRT initiatives, some of which are described in the updates below.
Coverage of Power Seat Elevation and Standing Systems
Progress continues to be made in discussions with CMS on Medicare coverage of Power Seat Elevation and Standing systems. The formal application for reconsideration of the National Coverage Determination (NCD), which was accepted as complete in November 2020, is being reviewed by their teams.

Their current work is centered around recognizing these items as Durable Medical Equipment and incorporating coverage into the NCD. This initiative is a high priority for 2021 and we will continue to share details as the process moves forward.
Stopping Cuts to CRT Manual Wheelchair Accessories
Work is continuing with CMS to secure a permanent policy change that will stop payment cuts to CRT Manual Wheelchair accessories scheduled for July 1. The current suspension preventing CMS from using Competitive Bid Program pricing for these critical components expires on June 30, 2021. NCART and other CRT industry stakeholders have provided additional analysis and recommendations to CMS that include a pathway to implement a permanent policy change.

We are keeping our Congressional supporters informed and will continue to request their additional involvement as needed. Available updates will be provided during the February 16 CRT Industry Webinar. Registration for that webinar is available in the update below.
NCART Submits Comments to CMS on Proposed Rule
In November 2020 CMS published for public comment Proposed Rule CMS-1738-P “Medicare Program; Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Policy Issues and Level II of the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS)”. This proposed rule included significant topics and proposals impacting access to CRT.

NCART submitted a 22-page letter supplying comments and recommendations regarding CRT coding, coverage, and payment. Of particular importance are the comments regarding improvements to the coding systems and the comments regarding CMS making a permanent policy change to stop applying Competitive Bidding Program pricing to CRT Manual Wheelchair accessories. A copy of the NCART letter can be viewed here.

We will be monitoring the progress of this proposed rule and urging CMS to incorporate our recommendations in the publication of the Final Rule.
Telehealth Comments Submitted to Congress
NCART and the CRT Remote Services Consortium submitted written comments to Congress stressing the need to: (a) give CMS the ability to permanently designate physical and occupational therapists as authorized telehealth practitioners and (b) to include the therapy codes that relate to the evaluation and provision of CRT. The comments provided details on why it is important that this option be made permanently available after the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. You can view the letter here. 

The CRT Remote Services Consortium, through the Clinician Task Force, is in the process of finalizing the “Clinician’s Guide for Using Telehealth for CRT” and an updated Decision Tree. It is expected these tools will be available for use in February. 
Email Congress to Support CRT Telehealth Options
CRT stakeholder help is needed on the legislative front. Congress will be introducing updated telehealth bills in the new session and needs to hear from their constituents. CRT stakeholders are encouraged to use the links we have set up at www.protectmymobility.org to email their Members and request that any new legislation include the provisions that are important to maintain CRT access.
Michigan State CRT Bill Update
We’ve often said that advocating for CRT access isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. State legislation to protect CRT is no exception to that rule. The Michigan State CRT bill (SB 855) that was passed by the state House and Senate in December 2020 was unfortunately vetoed by Governor Whitmer in early January due to some technical concerns in the Governor's office.

Thankfully the Michigan Homecare and Hospice Association, NCART, and other dedicated CRT advocates are already working with the Governor’s office and lead legislators to modify the bill language. It is expected to be reintroduced in the new legislative session.
NCART Payor Relations Committee 2021
NCART advocates for Complex Rehab Technology on both the federal and the state level. Work at the state level in 2021 will be coordinated under our Payor Relations Committee. The Committee consists of representatives from small, medium, and large CRT manufacturers and suppliers and will be co-chaired by Alexis Ward, Vice President of Payer Relations for National Seating and Mobility; and Melissa Georgeoff, Executive Vice President of Payer Relations for Numotion.

Heading into the first quarter of 2021, activities will primarily focus on preventing state Medicaid cuts to CRT suppliers, making telehealth and remote service options for CRT permanent, and addressing known issues regarding appropriate evaluations for CRT. To learn more or to submit a CRT access issue to the Committee, click the button below.
February CRT Industry Webinar

Need a quick way to stay updated on CRT news, ask questions, and learn about resources available to the CRT community?

Join us for the next monthly CRT Industry Webinar on Tuesday, February 16 at 4:00 PM ET. These no-cost presentations continue to be hosted by NCART, NRRTS, U.S. Rehab, and the Clinician Task Force.

Register today by clicking the button below.
NCART Welcomes Anderson's Medical Products
We are pleased to announce the addition of Anderson’s Medical Products to the NCART supplier member roster. Headquartered in Terre Haute, Indiana, the company has built a reputation as a well-respected supplier of Complex Rehab Technology. We are excited to have them join and sincerely thank them for lending their support to our advocacy efforts!

NCART has a proven record of successful strategies to advocate for the policies and reimbursement that allow needed access to CRT. As the leader in establishing a distinct message and identity for CRT on federal and state levels, we’re dedicated to working and collaborating to protect access for people with disabilities on behalf of CRT suppliers and manufacturers. If your company hasn’t joined NCART, click the button below for information on how to sign up today.
2021 CRT Event Calendar
NCART enjoys supporting the CRT community by participating in events that promote education and advocacy. Here are some of the recent and upcoming events we're proud to be a part of:

  • January 19 and 21 – TexMEP State Association Virtual Conference
  • January 20-22 – Numotion National Leadership Conference
  • February 2-4 – ACMESA State Association Virtual Conference
  • February 16-17 – KMESA State Association Virtual Conference
Monthly Motivation
"Not Disability, But Capability"
Opened in October 2020, Champions Place in Georgia is a living facility for young adults with physical disabilities. Offering so much more than just a place to call home, this state-of-the-art community is also a social hub and “incubator” for new accessibility ideas from well-known organizations like Google and Tommy Hilfiger. Their ultimate goal? To empower, engage, and equip their community through a shared living experience and to increase independence and self-reliance. Learn more at Champions Community Foundation or click to watch the video below!

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