Baldwin Asks for Restoration of Funds to Complex Rehab

WASHINGTON — On Thursday, Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc.,
began circulating a sign-on letter asking congressional colleagues
for their support in restoration of
the 9.5 percent cut to complex power wheelchairs and
accessories. To “pay for” Congress’ delay of competitive bidding last year,
the cut was applied to all items in Round 1 of the program
effective Jan. 1.

Baldwin’s letter, which will be sent to House Speaker Nancy
Pelosi, D-Calif., points out that “Congress explicitly exempted
Group 3 products and related accessories from competitive bidding,
recognizing that these products were not appropriate for bidding
because of their complexity and individualized nature.

“Unfortunately, however, when Congress enacted an
across-the-board reduction of 9.5 percent to pay for a delay of
competitive bidding, these same products were not explicitly
exempted from the cut,” Baldwin wrote.

Baldwin notes the inclusion of complex rehab in the
across-the-board cut produces less than $10 million in savings
annually.

“While this amount is small from a federal perspective, its
impact on the community of patients, providers and manufacturers
who depend upon and make available these highly specialized
products has been significant,” Baldwin said. “Access problems are
emerging, particularly as state Medicaid programs align their
pricing with Medicare rates. Beneficiaries who are highly dependent
on their mobility systems are encountering problems with accessing
needed services and repairs.

“This problem will not disappear when the reimbursement levels
are set for next year,” Baldwin continued. “The 9.5 percent cut,
inappropriately passed on to a category of products excluded from
competitive bidding, has now been built into the base. Providers
already operating on the slimmest of margins face a future of
reduced reimbursement levels. This is not sustainable and will harm
beneficiaries,” she said.

NCART Executive Director Don Clayback is urging providers to
contact their representatives to co-sign Baldwin’s letter.

“Yes we are facing an uphill battle to get this fixed,” he said,
“but if you are in complex rehab you are a proven warrior! This is
a very small ‘fix,’ and it can still be done if we can get our
message out there.”

Signatures will be collected through close of business Tuesday,
Oct. 6 (tomorrow), Clayback said. To sign on, representatives
should contact Elizabeth Lee in Baldwin’s office at 202/225-2906 or
[email protected].

“If you really don’t like the 9.5 percent cut, here is
something constructive you can do about it,” Clayback said.

For more information, see the NCART Web site at www.ncart.us.