Technical Committee Begins Work on New PMD Codes

ROCKVILLE, Md.–An industry committee empaneled by CMS to
provide input on new codes and testing requirements for power
mobility devices began its work at a two-day meeting last week.

Following CMS’ announcement in October that it would delay
implementation of new Medicare power mobility codes–originally
issued in February then revised in mid-September last year–Dr.
Doran Edwards, SADMERC medical director, said he planned to devote
his “full attention” to reworking the codes one final time with the
committee’s expertise as support.

Members of the Technical Expert Panel, which met in Rockville,
Md., Feb. 8-9, include Gerald White, Pride Mobility Products; Mark
Greig, Sunrise Medical; David Mahilo, Invacare Corp.; Anthony
DiGiovanni, Hoveround; Tara Gentile, Permobil; Simon Margolis,
National Seating and Mobility; Peter Axelson, Beneficial Designs
(representing RESNA, the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive
Technology Society of North America); Leonard Frier, MET
Laboratories Inc.; Robbie Leonard, PT, Leonard Physical Therapy;
Anita Pear, clinician consultant and New York University assistant
professor; Greg McGrew, University of Virginia; Mark Schmeler,
University of Pittsburgh; Larry Schneider, University of Michigan;
and Bill Ammer, Ammer Consulting.

In the first round of new codes issued last year, the number
ballooned to 49 from the current K codes (K0010 through K0014). But
in September, those codes were revised and bumped to 63, and new
product testing requirements were put in place though manufacturers
had already tested products based on the 49 codes.

In October, the codes were retracted entirely, and Edwards said
his goal in reworking them would be to “settle this once and for
all so that the codes can remain in effect for a number of years
without having to be tweaked.” Edwards said that determining the
performance categories for power wheelchairs would be the initial
matter at hand for the panel, and that testing requirements should
be consistent to ensure product quality, safety and the best
clinical outcomes for users.

According to Seth Johnson, chair of AAHomecare’s Rehab and
Assistive Technology Council and director of government affairs for
Pride Mobility, CMS contractor ECRI, brought in as facilitator,
will put together a report of the meeting including the panel’s
recommendations. The report is expected to be issued by the end of
March, when CMS would then determine how to proceed with code
development.

Based on that timeline, said Johnson, “New codes could
potentially go into effect as early as July 2006, but the timing
will largely be dependent upon the makeup of the new codes and any
additional testing that is required.”

“This is the third formal attempt to come to a consensus that
you agree with, CMS agrees with and the DMERCs agree with,” Edwards
told an audience at Medtrade last fall. “This will impact the
future of power mobility. We must get this right.”