Industry Groups Urge Lawmakers to Stop Interim PMD Rule

WASHINGTON–Industry stakeholders gathered on Capitol Hill last
week to urge lawmakers to stop the rapidly approaching
implementation of CMS’ new interim rule on power mobility.

During a Thursday fly-in themed “Mission Possible: Medicare
Beneficiaries Need Access to Mobility,” more than 50 mobility
advocates from 20 states kept meetings with congressional members
and their staffs to voice concerns that CMS’ new policy initiatives
are being rushed and to ask for a delay of the rule–scheduled to
take effect Oct. 25–until at least April. The fly-in was sponsored
by the American Association for Homecare, the Restore Access to
Mobility Partnership, the National Coalition for Assistive and
Rehab Technology, the ITEM Coalition and the United Spinal
Association.

The interim final rule eliminates the certificate of medical
necessity for Medicare reimbursement of power wheelchairs and
scooters. Instead, suppliers only need to submit a prescription
with their claims, but they are required to gather patient records
from physicians or other prescribing practitioners that document
medical necessity (see HomeCare
Monday, Aug. 29).

The groups maintain a delay would allow a smooth transition to
the new procedures and coverage policy and give CMS time to fully
consider recommendations made by the industry that could improve
the process.

“We share the same goal of establishing a streamlined process
that best serves Medicare beneficiaries,” Mal Mixon, chairman and
CEO of Invacare Corp., said in a statement, “but we fear that more
harm than good will come from rushing regulations into place when
their impact on the industry and beneficiaries have not been fully
gauged.”

According to RAMP, proponents for delay picked up an ally when
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley wrote to HHS
Secretary Michael O. Leavitt and CMS Administrator Mark McClellan
that the current timetable was unrealistic. The organization also
noted similar requests to CMS by Pennsylvania Sens. Arlen Specter
and Rick Santorum (see HomeCare
Monday, Oct. 1).

“There will be a strong adverse reaction from the public if CMS
continues on the path of trying to implement this new regulation
without a proper transition,” said John Ward, CEO of Mobility
Products Unlimited. “Their lack of planning will leave senior
citizens and people with disabilities stranded without mobility
equipment.”

“We want to keep our ‘ask’ to CMS very simple,” AAHomecare’s Web
site reads.” Please finalize all changes and then allow at least 90
days for the mobility community to adjust to the new codes and
policies. This request is both critically important and extremely
reasonable.”

Industry leaders are urging providers and other stakeholders to
meet with their members of Congress on the issue during the Oct.
8-17 recess.

To view the interim final rule click
here.