July 2023

NCART Collecting Pricing Data for Seat Elevation Systems

CMS announced its positive coverage determination for seat elevation systems on May 16. This new coverage applies to both traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans for Group 2, 3, and 5 power wheelchairs. To review the announcement and learn more about the details of coverage, visit www.protectmymobility.org.

CMS must now determine the coding for these systems and establish appropriate reimbursement to ensure access. To prepare for this, NCART established a workgroup that has been working diligently for over a year to prepare coding applications that were submitted to CMS on July 3. NCART also met with CMS in June and, at the agency’s request, will be providing CMS with pricing information to support appropriate reimbursement for these systems. If you are a CRT provider and wish to contribute data to aid CMS in determining adequate reimbursement amounts, please contact Mickae Lee at mlee@ncart.us. The deadline for submitting your information is Thursday August 3, 2023.

Both the coding and national fee schedule amounts will be addressed as part of an upcoming HCPCS public meeting later this fall. Final implementation of coverage is anticipated in early 2024. In the interim, the DME MACs have discretion to determine reasonable and necessary coverage as they work to develop local coverage determinations that are in line with the national coverage determination.

NCART will be providing additional guidance and updates as the information becomes available. 

2023 CRT Awareness Week - Are You Ready to Celebrate?

National CRT Awareness Week is August 14-18, 2023. These five days are when the Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) community joins forces to collectively share the CRT message. 

No matter what role CRT plays in your life, anyone can be an advocate and there are many different ways to get involved. Keep reading below or visit the NCART Website for some ideas to help you brainstorm.

Advocates can:

1. Make a short video about your Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) and send it to drenehan@ncart.us or post it to your own social media (check out the example video we've posted to help you craft your own message: https://vimeo.com/845967059?share=copy)
2. Download pre-made graphics available on the NCART website and share them on your social media pages.       
3. "Like" and "Share" NCART social media posts during CRT Awareness Week (Facebook, Linked In, and Twitter)
4. Register for the September 13 Virtual CRT Congressional Fly-In 
5. Write a blog post describing your CRT and how it maximizes your independence or the independence of someone you know. Share it with Mickae Lee at mlee@ncart.us
6. Post a photo of CRT to your social media
7. Visit www.protectmymobility.com and learn more about advocacy work for CRT

However you decide to get involved, be sure to use #CRTAwareness2023 with your post so we can see it and celebrate with you too.

We're looking forward to hearing and seeing the great ways people share information about CRT. It takes consistent, united efforts from advocates to create meaningful and lasting changes that will protect access to this unique and important technology.

Thank you for finding ONE DAY and ONE WAY to be an active advocate for Complex Rehab Technology!

2023 Virtual CRT Congressional Fly-In

Registration for the 2023 Virtual CRT Congressional Fly-In is officially open! 

NCART and NRRTS have been working hard on preparations for the 2023 CRT Virtual Congressional Fly-In on September 13. This annual event allows CRT suppliers, manufacturers, clinicians, consumers, and others to meet directly with their Members of Congress via Zoom video conferencing. This is the perfect opportunity to discuss actions that must be taken to protect access to CRT for people with disabilities.

Individuals can attend this event at NO COST and participate virtually from their home or office. Once you register, we will match you with a team of advocates from your state and schedule Congressional meetings for you.

Talking points and other information for your meetings will be provided during the mandatory Advanced Preparation Webinar on September 6. We'll also hold state practice sessions with your state team on September 11 so you can feel fully prepared and ready to make the most of your meetings.

Join other advocates to connect with the CRT community and your Members of Congress. Learn more and get registered at NO COST by clicking the button below.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

The 2023 Virtual CRT Congressional Fly-In would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. We are grateful for their financial assistance that allows CRT advocates to connect with Members of Congress to advance the actions needed to safeguard access to CRT.

Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. Please contact Mickae Lee at mlee@ncart.us for details.

Protecting Access to CRT in the States

CA – Multiple legislative CRT facility tours have been held to discuss CRT Repair Reform legislation and to propose other needed changes in the state; discussions continue regarding ongoing challenges; requests for the State's next fiscal year have been presented.

CT – NCART, HOMES, and other stakeholders are continuing deliberations with CT legislators and consumer advocacy organizations to identify needed service and repair reform outside; these discussions are ongoing and a legislatively-appointed workgroup including NCART and others will report further recommendations to the state in early 2024.

CO - NCART, CAMES, and other stakeholders submitted comments in response to CRT service and repair metrics proposed by the State; additional stakeholder discussions took place on 6/13 and NCART/CAMES met with the Department 6/21 to propose additional feedback; a subsequent stakeholder discussion was held on 7/13. Final provider metrics will undergo an emergency rules process with a 10/1 implementation; provider reporting begins in 2024.

ME - NCART is collaborating with the Home Medical Equipment and Services Association of New England (HOMES) to review proposed changes to the MaineCare Benefits manual that will impact CRT; meetings are being held and stakeholder comments will be submitted in August.

UT- NCART presented FY 2025 budget requests to the Medical Care Advisory Committee in June; ongoing efforts will require legislative action in 2023/2024; discussions with key committee staff and the Department of Health are being coordinated. NCART also communicated with the Department regarding needed action related to claim processing delays and has requested additional information from UT CRT providers.

MA- NCART continues to educate Massachusetts legislators about CRT repair reform legislation introduced earlier this year. Meetings with the committee leadership have been conducted to provide additional information and seek support. NCART was also very pleased to see that MA Medicaid will now cover and pay for diagnosis time for repairs to consumer’s CRT equipment, which will support continued improvements in providing these critical services. 

NCART Board Member Elections

NCART is proud to announce the results of elections of its Board of Directors for the 2023-2025 term. NCART operates under the direction of a Board of Directors with representatives from across section of small, medium, and large CRT providers and manufacturers. The Directors serve 2-year terms with staggered elections.

Newly elected Board members for the 2023-2025 term are:

i. Bruce Bayes, Custom Mobility, President 

ii.  John Goetz, Permobil, Consultant 

iii. Larry Jackson, Sunrise Medical, President 

iv. Johnny Miller, Miller’s, President

v. Kyle Walker, Reliable Medical Supply, Regional Vice President

vi. Brett Zaer, Superior Mobility, President

A complete list of all Board Members and officers can be found at www.ncart.us. 

We’re very thankful to the strong and committed group of industry leaders who give their time, expertise, and resources to NCART and our mission to ensure that people with disabilities can get the specialized equipment and supporting services they depend on.

33rd Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

On July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law by President George W. Bush. This year, we celebrate its 33rd birthday and all of the positive changes that have taken place since its passage.

This critical legislation marked the beginning of purposeful equality, opportunity, and recognition of the rights and abilities of individuals with disabilities. While much has been accomplished, we know that there is still more to be done to achieve its full promise. We encourage federal and state policy makers to continue to make and enforce needed changes.

CRT plays a critical role in fulfilling the intent of the ADA. That is why NCART’s dedication to protecting and improving access to CRT remains strong. For more information, the ADA National Network is a free resource that you can access at https://adata.org/national-network.

Upcoming CRT Industry Cost Study

NCART is partnering with the University of Northern Iowa to conduct an independent third-party analysis of the business & operating performance of CRT providers. The last analysis of this kind was completed in 2008 by the Rochester Institute of Technology. That analysis can be viewed here. 

The updated data will be used in advocacy discussions to illustrate the current operating and reimbursement challenges of CRT providers that negatively impact access to CRT for individuals with disabilities. The survey will be conducted in August and results will be shared with participants in the fall. For more details, please contact NCART Executive Director Wayne Grau at wgrau@ncart.us.

NCART Talks Advocacy at RESNA's Annual Conference

NCART was honored to attended this year’s RESNA conference in New Orleans, LA on July 24-26. During the conference, Executive Director Wayne Grau participated in an advocacy roundtable discussion alongside NRRTS, RESNA, and the Clinician Task Force.

It was great to reconnect with old friends and to make some new ones. Thanks to RESNA for another great event and for the ongoing support of CRT advocacy! To learn more about RESNA and their contributions to the CRT community, visit www.RESNA.org. 

NCART Members are Making a Difference

NCART is the only national organization focused completely on representing suppliers and manufacturers of Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) products. NCART is strictly focused on working with policymakers, legislators, and others to establish and maintain appropriate coverage and funding to protect and improve CRT access.

If your company provides or manufactures CRT, help us fight the negative trends in coverage and payment that continue to mount. Your membership is crucial! Your support will enable us to continue to advocate aggressively on your behalf as we work to maintain and establish policies needed to ensure people with significant disabilities and chronic medical conditions can access the specialized equipment and services they require and you provide.  

You can easily and securely submit your application online by clicking the button below. For additional information or questions, please contact Wayne Grau, Executive Director, at wgrau@ncart.us or 570-902-9878.

NCART Hires New Membership Coordinator

NCART is pleased to announce the hiring of Tim Hoffman as their new Membership Coordinator. Tim has 26 years of experience in the industry most recently, served as Vice President of Vendor Contracting and Strategic Accounts for VGM & Associates.

Wayne Grau, NCART Executive Director said, “NCART is excited to be working with a well-established industry veteran like Tim. Tim has long-standing relationships with CRT Manufacturers and Suppliers. This addition will allow NCART to continue to expand our advocacy reach for the Complex Rehab industry” Grau added. “NCART focuses solely on protecting and enhancing the CRT industry to address challenges like antiquated fee schedules and burdensome regulations that hurt CRT manufacturers, suppliers, and the consumers we serve. Adding Tim to the team will help us keep up the fight to ensure the success of the CRT industry now and into the future.”

Tim can be contacted directly at thoffman@ncart.us. 

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:

• Abilities Expo Houston - August 4-6
• CRT Awareness Week - August 14-18
• Abilities Expo Phoenix - September 8-10
• NCART/NRRTS Virtual CRT Congressional Fly-In - September 13
• NEMEP Annual Meeting - September 13-14
• Congressional CRT Product Expo - September 14
• CRT Industry Webinar - September 28

Chef Steve's Adaptive Kitchen

This dream kitchen caught our attention! Join Chef Steve for a tour of his fully adapted kitchen and check out all of the ways he's designed a cooking experience that's unique to his preferences and needs. He offers tips, tricks, and details on easy and affordable ways to make modifications that improve accessibility. The coffee bar was our personal favorite!