PART OF NEW MEDICARE POLICY FIXED
TUCSON, Ariz., Nov. 3, 2006 —
In a favorable move for people with
progressive neuromuscular diseases,
the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services announced a revision to Medicare’s
coverage criteria for power wheelchairs.
The Power Mobility Devices policy
change removes a reference to a person’s
ability to stand and pivot transfer,
with or without assistance, as criteria
for eligibility for a power wheelchair
with more than basic features.
The revised criteria now states “the
patient’s mobility limitation
is due to a neurological condition,
myopathy or congenital skeletal deformity.”
However, no change was made to the
new fee schedule that will reduce
Medicare reimbursement by up to 40
percent for some wheelchairs.
“I’m gratified that the
government listened to the pleas of
our community and changed the eligibility
policy, but I’m still very concerned
about the cost issue,” MDA National
Chairman Jerry Lewis said. “A
quality wheelchair is often very expensive,
but also very vital, to many people
served by MDA. I won’t give
up on our effort to get this part
of the policy changed as well.”
The new schedule is slated to go
into effect Nov. 15. Read more about
MDA and Lewis’ efforts to stop
the implementation of the policy and
to learn how you can get involved.
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