BUFFALO, N.Y. — With an eye toward uniting providers in deflecting state cuts to Medicaid complex rehab benefits, the National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology will host a National Medicaid Summit Sept. 29-30 in Nashville, Tenn.
"It will be focused on protecting and preserving reimbursement for complex rehab technology within the state Medicaid systems," said Don Clayback, executive director of NCART. "What's driving us is that states are dealing with significant financial challenges, so when they suffer, Medicaid is a significant target. If you are in the complex rehab business, your customers typically are Medicaid beneficiaries, so it is an issue you need to be close to."
The summit, he said, is designed to provide information on the Medicaid program itself, such as structure, regulations, beneficiary and provider rights and responsibilities; how to advocate on behalf of beneficiaries and get them engaged in the process; and the most effective strategies for legislative, legal and grassroots advocacy.
Attendees will hear case studies based on actual experiences with Medicaid, and there will be discussion on what constitutes an appropriate funding system for complex rehab.
"It's a hot issue, and we think there is good information out there in different pockets. We are going to try to bring that all together under one roof, harness that brainpower and let them take it back to their individual states," Clayback said.
Clayback said the summit, which is planned to become an annual event, also would provide a good networking forum.
"Another objective is to have this be an opportunity for networking among the various states and have providers share what they are dealing with in their states, how they are handling it and what sort of success they are having," he said.
The summit will be held at the Marriott Airport Hotel, with cost at $199 per attendee. Check for registration information and other details upcoming on the NCART website.