NCART Summit Zeroes in on Medicaid Issues

BUFFALO, N.Y. — With an eye toward uniting providers in
deflecting state cuts to Medicaid complex rehab benefits, the
National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology will host a
National Medicaid Summit Sept. 29-30 in Nashville, Tenn.

“It will be focused on protecting and preserving reimbursement
for complex rehab technology within the state Medicaid systems,”
said Don Clayback, executive director of NCART. “What’s driving us
is that states are dealing with significant financial challenges,
so when they suffer, Medicaid is a significant target. If you are
in the complex rehab business, your customers typically are
Medicaid beneficiaries, so it is an issue you need to be close
to.”

The summit, he said, is designed to provide information on the
Medicaid program itself, such as structure, regulations,
beneficiary and provider rights and responsibilities; how to
advocate on behalf of beneficiaries and get them engaged in the
process; and the most effective strategies for legislative, legal
and grassroots advocacy.

Attendees will hear case studies based on actual experiences
with Medicaid, and there will be discussion on what constitutes an
appropriate funding system for complex rehab.

“It’s a hot issue, and we think there is good information out
there in different pockets. We are going to try to bring that all
together under one roof, harness that brainpower and let them take
it back to their individual states,” Clayback said.

Clayback said the summit, which is planned to become an annual
event, also would provide a good networking forum.

“Another objective is to have this be an opportunity for
networking among the various states and have providers share what
they are dealing with in their states, how they are handling it and
what sort of success they are having,” he said.

The summit will be held at the Marriott Airport Hotel, with cost
at $199 per attendee. Check for registration information and other
details upcoming on the NCART website.