CMS Removes Manual CRT Accessories From Bid Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 30, 2021)—It’s a victory for complex rehab suppliers. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that ends the application of bid-derived rates for complex rehab technology (CRT) wheelchairs.

CMS suspended application of bid rates for CRT in January 2020, following inclusion in appropriations legislation. In June 2021, the agency extended the suspension until Sept. 30, following a House sign-on letter led by Rep. John Larson (D-Connecticut) urging the agency to protect beneficiary access to the accessories.

The newly-issued final rule severs the link between competitive bidding and CRT. The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA), passed in 2008, carved out CRT from the competitive bidding program. However, CMS expanded competitive bidding in 2015, adding CRT accessories to the bid program. The argument at the time was that MIPPA protected the chairs, not the accessories.

In June 2017, a CMS policy delayed appling prices to accessories for power CRT wheelchairs. Industry advocates, led by the National Coalition of Assistive & Rehab Technology (NCART), turned their focus to manual accessories. 

“We are sincerely grateful to CMS for making today’s policy decision and protecting access for people with disabilities who depend on these individually configured CRT wheelchairs and seating systems,” said NCART Executive Director Don Clayback in a statement. “This outcome was the result of several years of collaborative advocacy within the CRT Community to ensure these damaging cuts did not go into effect.

“We want to thank Reps. John Larson and Lee Zeldin (R-New York), and Sens. Bob Casey (D-Pennsylvania) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio), for their ongoing leadership and support,” he continued. “We also extend thanks to their congressional colleagues and committee staff.”

“This is a great win for CRT providers and patients alike,” said Tom Ryan, AAHomecare president and CEO. “I want to thank advocacy leaders in the mobility community, and especially our partners at NCART, for keeping this issue front and center with legislators. I’d also like to acknowledge the important support from patient advocacy groups, including the ITEM Coalition and United Spinal Association, for their passionate and sustained work on this issue. This was truly a team effort; that’s what it takes to really move the needle and succeed on major policy initiatives.”

Other advocacy groups that worked on this issue include: the ITEM Coalition, United Spinal Association, Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, ALS Association, Spina Bifida Association, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Center for Medicare Advocacy, Clinician Task Force, NRRTS, U.S. Rehab, the American Association for Homecare and RESNA. 

Read the final rule here.