CMS Creates One-Stop Shop for Mobility Info

BALTIMORE–Along with its Oct. 14 announcement that new power
mobility codes will be delayed, CMS has created a new resource for
information related to power wheelchairs.

Rather than having to access them separately through the Federal
Register or multiple CMS manuals, a new one-stop Web site lists a
number of documents that are relevant to key initiatives and
changes regarding PMD coverage and payments that the agency has
rolled out this year, beginning with its NCD for MAE in May.

The site includes guidance documents with click-throughs such
as:

–the MAE National Coverage Determination; –the MAE coverage
algorithm; –the recommendation of the Interagency Wheelchair Work
Group; –the PMD Interim Final Rule; –a fact sheet on the PMD IFC;
–Q&As on the MAE NCD, the PMD IFC, elimination of the power
mobility CMN, and the DMERCs’ LCD process; –documentation
requirements in the DMERCs’ draft LCDs for PMDs; and –CMS MedLearn
articles associated with these initiatives.

While the Web site is a reference for all mobility stakeholders,
according to officials, the documents it contains are particularly
relevant for PMD prescribing physicians and practitioners and can
be a useful tool for suppliers who may need to educate referring
physicians on the changes–without having to navigate the CMS site
to find all the details.

The new Web site is available at
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/coverage/wheelchairs.asp.