Significant disability story emerges with proposed changes in Medicare reimbursement
A major government change affecting people who use power wheelchairs may occur when the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services new fee schedule goes into effect Nov. 15, 2006. The new fee schedule could reduce reimbursement for power wheelchairs by 40 percent.
Several disability organizations are working to delay the implementation of the new fee schedule because of the devastaing effect it might have on many people with disabilities who use power wheelchairs.
The National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA) and the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance (TPA) say "the new policy would limit or deny medically appropriate power mobility to Medicare beneficiaries with mobility disabilities such as spinal cord injury, ALS, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, and severe brain injury. The regulatory changes would have wide-ranging impact as State Medicaid agencies and other third party payers adopt this policy and reset their fees."
Invacare, a wheelchair manufacturer, told New Mobility magazine in October 2006 it fears that "only wealthy consumers will be able to afford appropriate equipment."
Journalists interested in doing stories about this topic can contact:
Invacare: 800-333-6900