May 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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July 1 CRT Manual Wheelchair Accessory Cuts
June 30 is fast approaching and with it, the end of the 18-month suspension preventing Medicare from inappropriately applying Competitive Bid Program rates to CRT Manual Wheelchair Accessories. CRT stakeholders have been working hard on several fronts to get CMS to take the needed action for a permanent policy change. 

We have had multiple discussions with CMS and Congressional staff to explore available options. Members of the ITEM Coalition sent a national consumer/disability group letter to CMS last week emphasizing the need for action on behalf of CRT Manual Wheelchair users. Our Congressional champions and the Administration for Community Living have also reached out to CMS.

Thankfully, Chiquita Brooks-LaSure was finally confirmed this week as the new CMS Administrator. This has been long-awaited and fills a significant leadership gap that has contributed to the length of time it has taken them to act.

This is our top priority and next steps will be determined as things develop. We may need grassroots advocacy and we'll keep you updated. Thanks for staying engaged and being ready to take action!
Power Seat Elevation and Standing Systems Coverage
They say all good things take time. We are still waiting on CMS to officially announce the reopening of the National Coverage Determination (NCD) and public comment period. This will be the first opportunity for individuals and organizations to make comments regarding Medicare establishing coverage of Power Seat Elevation and Standing Systems.

In preparation of this announcement, the ITEM Coalition-led workgroup has been developing a website that will facilitate the submission of stakeholder comments supporting Medicare coverage of this important technology.

As with our efforts to protect CRT Manual Wheelchair Accessories, the progress of this initiative has been hampered by the delay of new leadership within HHS and CMS. Now that both HHS Secretary Becerra and CMS Administrator Brooks-LaSure are formally seated we expect things to progress and look forward to sharing further details.
Contacting Congress to Support PT/OT Telehealth
Congress is spending a lot of time discussing telehealth legislation, but that doesn’t mean that options impacting CRT will be available after the Public Health Emergency (PHE) has ended. Legislators recognize the positive aspects of telehealth but are also exploring concerns such as potential overutilization, negative outcomes, and broadband limitations.

This is why it is important that CRT advocates contact their Members of Congress to express support of telehealth legislation H.R. 2168, the "Expanded Telehealth Access Act". This bill specifies Physical Therapists (PT), Occupational Therapists (OT), and Speech Language Pathologists (SLP) as authorized permanent telehealth practitioners. We’ve updated our system at www.protectmymobility.org and are asking everyone in the CRT community to take five minutes to send an email to Congress.

The National CRT Remote Services Consortium is also gathering updated data and examples that we can use to educate Congress and other policy makers. As part of this effort, the Clinician Task Force has developed a survey. If you are a clinician, provider, or manufacturer who has experiences with telehealth in the CRT provision process we ask you complete the Telehealth Examples Survey here.

It’s going to take a collective effort to ensure ongoing PT and OT telehealth options for individuals who utilize CRT remain available after the end of the PHE. Thanks for taking action today!
American Rescue Plan Act
The federal government began distributing $350 Billion to states and local governments this month as part of the American Rescue Plan Act passed earlier this year. This one-time state assistance package was crucial to assist in costs associated with the COVID-19 PHE and comes at a time when most states are finalizing their budgets for the year ahead. 

We have been pleased to learn that many states are planning to use a portion of these dollars to avoid payment cuts in certain areas like Medicaid programs. This supplements the additional assistance they have received from increased federally matched Medicaid funds.
June 29 CRT Industry Webinar
It can be a challenge to stay up-to-date on all of the issues impacting CRT. That’s why NCART, NRRTS, U.S. Rehab, and the Clinician Task Force continue to team up each month to present the industry with free, one-hour webinars that provide important information about matters that impact CRT access. Our next webinar is being held on June 29 at 4:00 PM ET. Click the button below to get registered today!

To listen to recordings of previous webinars or to download the handouts, visit www.ncart.us.
Mobility Management May Podcast
NCART's Don Clayback and Mickae Lee had the pleasure of sitting down with Mobility Management Editor Laurie Watanabe. We covered what's new in the world of CRT advocacy and initiatives, what to expect during the summer months, and where we'll be this fall. Thanks to Laurie and click the button below to listen to the update!
State CRT Work in May
NCART continues its work on state-level matters that impact access to CRT. If you are currently dealing with a CRT issue that we can help with, please send us an email using the button below. Here are the highlights from our May work:
  • California - CRT legislation continues to be pursued to update regulations regarding the CRT provision process and rescind the 10% Medi-Cal cut; a parallel budget request to provide relief from the 10% payment reduction is also actively in play; work is being done in collaboration with CAMPS.
  • Illinois - An NCART workgroup presented proposed program and rate improvements for CRT to the members of the state legislature's Medicaid Working Group and provided requested CRT data to the Department; discussions are ongoing.
  • Minnesota - An NCART workgroup continues collaboration with MAMES to obtain needed clarification regarding proposed policy changes impacting CRT; a meeting was held with the Department to ask questions and raise concerns.
  • Nevada - NCART has received confirmation from Department leadership that previously announced 6% reductions to CRT have been rescinded by the Nevada legislature; these cuts would have been retroactively effective from August 1, 2020 to October 1, 2021.
  • Ohio - An NCART workgroup is collaborating with OAMES regarding Medicaid CRT payment methodologies; oral testimony and written comments were provided at a recent state hearing; a document relating to the use of Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for CRT reimbursement has been developed; calls were held with Department leadership and additional analyses are being prepared.
  • Texas - NCART and its Texas supplier members provided oral and written testimony opposing proposed rate reductions to certain DME/CRT codes; recommendation was made for the Department to explore rate increases instead.
NCART Welcomes More New Members
We are very proud to share that two more dedicated CRT suppliers have joined NCART to add their support for CRT-focused advocacy. Bellevue Healthcare has been serving areas in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho since 2000. Dressen Medical Supply has been offering CRT solutions in North Carolina since 2003. We sincerely thank them both for their commitment and it is great to have them as part of the team to educate and advocate for CRT.

If your company provides or manufactures CRT, we invite you to join NCART to help us fight the negative trends in coverage and payment. Your membership will enable us to continue to advocate aggressively on your behalf to maintain and establish policies needed to ensure people with disabilities can access the CRT and supporting services you provide. Learn more by clicking the button below.
CRT Event Calendar
NCART welcomes opportunities to support the CRT community by participating in events that promote education and advocacy. Here are some of the upcoming events that we're proud to help publicize:
Monthly Motivation
A Memorial Day Tribute
This Memorial Day we express our deepest gratitude to the service men and women who sacrificed their lives to protect our independence. As the video below states, "They gave up two lives...the one they were living...and the one they would have lived." We also thank their families and loved ones. Take time this weekend to honor the memory of these courageous heroes.

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