Coalition seeks cushion carve out
By HME News Staff
Updated Tue June 30, 2009
WASHINGTON--A group of disability advocates sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services in May, urging Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to exempt specialty wheelchair seating cushions from national competitive bidding (NCB). In the letter, the ITEM Coalition states that if the cushions are put out to bid, some providers could switch to less-costly products, affecting beneficiary access. ITEM points out that the cushions are important to manage pressure sores and other complications related to long-term wheelchair use. They are fitted to the user by a team of therapists, mobility device engineers and suppliers.
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