[Maine-NPs] Medicare and Power Mobility Devices

[Liz Duke]

As of June, 2006, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) made 
it less burdensome for seniors and the disabled to obtain power mobility 
devices such as power wheelchairs and scooters by expanding authorization to 
prescribe the devices to NPs, PAs, CNS, and other physicians. Previously, 
the requirement was that they be prescribed only by specialists in physical 
medicine, orthopedic surgery, neurology and rheumatology.

Unfortunately, On November 15, 2006, CMS is going to drastically cut 
reimbursement for these devices by as much as 35-40% and will limit access 
to chairs with multiple features, such as tilt and recline capability to 
people who cannot stand, pivot and transfer. Individuals with multiple 
sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, cerebal palsy, and ALS will not qualify, even 
if the disease has predictable progression. The reimbursement cuts fail to 
recognize the effort made to customize the device to the individual, and 
manufacturers will be forced to eliminate being able to offer customized 
features such as back and seat heights which can be critical to a disabled 
person's safety.

HHS and CMS needs to hear from congress that this must be postponed so that 
corrections can be made. Letters can be sent  to HHS Secretary Michael 
Leavitt (mike.leavitt at hhs.gov), Acting CMS Administrator Leslie Norwalk 
(leslie.norwalk at cms.hhs.gov), Acting CMS Deputy Administrator Herb Kuhn 
(herb.kuhn at cms.hhs.gov), and your legislators.

More information is available at www.complexrehab.com.

Elizabeth Duke, FNP
MNPA Legislative Committee Cochair

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