AAHomecare’s RATC Works on Musts Issues Priorities

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.