Congressional Letter Asks CMS to Halt Prepayment Review for Power Mobility

More than 20 members of Congress have signed a letter asking the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to halt its prepayment review demonstration project for power mobility devices, scheduled to begin Jan. 1, according to the American Association for Homecare.

In a Dec. 15 letter, the congressional members cited pressures that have mounted over the past three years on the power mobility sector. Those pressures include reduced prices, the 13th month rental requirement for power mobility devices and increased program integrity requirements, including accreditation, surety bonds and quality standards. The letter also cited “potential threats to businesses, jobs and seniors’ access to care.”

In addition, AAHomecare and other mobility stakeholders recently met with the federal Office of Management and Budget to discuss concerns about the prepayment review project. Later, OMB denied CMS emergency approval required to collect information related to widespread probe reviews. “We are currently assessing the impact that OMB’s decision will have on CMS’ authority to conduct widespread prepayment reviews and the PMD demonstration project slated to begin on Jan. 1, 2012,” AAHomecare reported.

Representatives signing the letter included: Henry Cuellar (D-Texas); Lamar Smith (R-Texas); Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.); Ted Poe (R-Texas); Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.); Bruce Braley (D-Iowa); Michael Burgess (R-Texas); Brian Higgins (D-N.Y.); Mark Critz (D-Pa.); Corrine Brown (D-Fla.); Peter King (R-N.Y.); Tom Marino (R-Pa.); Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.); Bill Flores (R-Texas); Todd Young (R-Ind.); Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.); David Rivera (R-Fla.); Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.); Kay Granger (R-Texas); Lou Barletta (R-Pa.); Jason Altmire (D-Pa.); and Todd Rokita (R-Ind.).