The American Association for Homecare's Rehab and Assistive
Technology Council is working on a long list of “musts”
for this year. While the following are the council's 2008
priorities, AAHomecare said additional issues that arise may also
require attention and the development of an appropriate response.
Currently, the RATC's focus includes:
Medicare's first-month purchase option for power
wheelchairs. President Bush's 2009 budget eliminates this
option. The council will work with lawmakers to maintain the
option.
OIG report(s) on standard and complex power wheelchair
pricing. The Office of Inspector General will be conducting
follow-up studies to a 2007 report comparing Medicare power
wheelchair allowables to Internet pricing. These work products will
analyze service-related costs associated with providing standard
and complex rehab power wheelchairs. AAHomecare will attempt to
work collaboratively with the OIG to provide information regarding
the actual service-related costs in providing the full range of
power wheelchairs. The council will also work to educate the
supplier community on the level of detail that rehab providers
should strive to include in their patients' medical records.
Competitive bidding. Contracts for the first 10
competitive bidding areas are to initiate July 1, 2008. An
additional 70 areas will be subject to bidding in 2009. The RATC
will continue to lead a dialogue with lawmakers regarding the
inappropriate inclusion of power wheelchairs in competitive bidding
and press for meaningful changes to the program such as those
included in H.R. 1845 and H.R. 2231, which are aimed at ensuring
access and quality of services provided to Medicare beneficiaries
while protecting the interests of Medicare suppliers.
Education on Medicare documentation requirements. The
RATC will work to establish a resource center to educate
physicians, clinicians and providers about Medicare power
wheelchair documentation requirements. The council will continue to
pursue a clearer documentation standard so all stakeholders
involved in the provision of this equipment have a common
understanding of the requirements.
Development of new manual wheelchair coding, coverage and
payment. CMS and the SADMERC are in the process of developing
new manual wheelchair HCPCS codes. The RATC will work with other
industry stakeholders to provide input and assist in the
development of new codes to ensure the industry is sufficiently
represented in this process.
Gap-filling alternative/fee schedule. The gap-filling
methodology currently used by CMS to establish new payment rates is
flawed and results in inappropriate Medicare allowables. A
replacement methodology was included in the proposed rule on
competitive bidding but was not finalized. The council will
continue to work with CMS in an effort to establish a new
methodology that results in appropriate pricing through an open and
transparent process.
Collaboration with other stakeholders. The RATC will
continue to increase its collaboration with the National Coalition
for Rehab and Assistive Technology (NCART) on common goals. The
council will also work with the National Registry for
Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers (NRRTS) and the Rehabilitation
Engineering Society of North America (RESNA) along with clinicians
and consumer groups to help ensure a strong and consistent message
is being carried on Capitol Hill. The RATC and AAHomecare will
continue to work to strengthen its representation of the entire
rehab industry.
For more information, see the AAHomecare Web site at
www.aahomecare.org.
