NCART Update on Separate Rehab Benefit

BUFFALO, N.Y. — In an update to the group’s members last
week, Don Clayback, executive director of the National Coalition
for Assistive and Rehab Technology, detailed the status of its work
on a separate benefit for complex rehab.

That initiative got a major boost in July with an endorsement
from the ITEM Coalition (www.itemcoalition.org), a consumer-led group
comprised of more than 70 member organizations in the areas of
disability, aging, labor, voluntary health associations, non-profit
provider associations and others.

Among ITEM’s objectives are to:

• Raise awareness about the importance of assistive devices,
  technologies, and related services in enhancing the function,
  independence, health status, and quality of life of people with
  disabilities and chronic conditions of all ages;
• Identify the barriers to access to necessary devices and
  technologies under Medicare and Medicaid as well as other federal
  health programs and private plans; and
• Build support for broad-based legislative and regulatory
  changes to address the problems of inadequate access to assistive
  devices, technologies and related services.

The endorsement is important, Clayback said, because “the
mission of ITEM ties directly to the objectives of the separate
benefit category initiative.”

On that front, Clayback said, workgroups continue to address
coding, coverage, payment and quality standards. NCART hopes to
issue an updated discussion paper this month based on comments that
have been received since publication of its first discussion
draft in March.

Following that, NCART plans another webinar series to review
changes and allow stakeholders the opportunity for questions and
suggestions.

As far as legislation to create a separate benefit goes,
Clayback said, the necessary legislative language is being prepared
along with related cost estimates, and a focus in coming months
will be on finding a congressional sponsor to introduce the
legislation.

“It’s important to remember that this project has broad
implications at both the federal and state levels,” said Clayback.
“Just the publicity that our efforts have generated to date has
helped to increase the message that the CRT is a small but
service-intensive product category and its uniqueness requires
recognition by payers and policymakers.

“Greater awareness and acceptance of the CRT message is the
foundation we need to protect and improve access. This initiative
gives us a vehicle to address the challenges that consumers,
clinicians, suppliers, and manufacturers are facing.”

On another front, NCART is putting the finishing touches on its
upcoming National Medicaid Summit Oct. 6-7 in Nashville. For
details, see the NCART website.