Tag: Seth Johnson
Pennsylvania legislature considers 'well checks’ for wheelchairs
June 23, 2023Tracy Orzel
PHILADELPHIA - Pennsylvania lawmakers are taking a unique approach to addressing repair issues with two bills, HB 183 and SB 511, that would provide coverage for up to two “well check” visits per year for complex wheelchair users.
The bills would help address the difficulties that users are facing trying to get their wheelchairs serviced and repaired due to supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, documentation delays and inadequate reimbursement. In some states, like Colorado,...
Stakeholders prepare response on PMD repairs
July 22, 2022Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON – Industry stakeholders believe a recent Office of Inspector General report on repairs for power mobility devices is “disingenuous.”
The report’s title claims Medicare improperly paid DME suppliers an estimated $8 million of the $40 million it paid for power mobility device repairs between Oct. 1, 2018, and Sept. 30, 2019.
“The report is very concerning,” said Seth Johnson, vice president of government affairs for Pride Mobility...
Accessories: ‘Our road has not ended’
July 2, 2021HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – It’s not a permanent fix, but stakeholders say it’s a great sign that, about a month after taking the reins, CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure agreed to extend a suspension of scheduled Medicare cuts to accessories for complex rehab manual wheelchairs.
CMS announced on June 23 that it would extend an 18-month pause on applying competitive bidding pricing to these accessories for an additional 90 days, until Oct. 1.
“We have seen some...
New push to delay Medicare cuts
March 17, 2021Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., have introduced a bill that would extend the moratorium on the 2% Medicare sequestration cuts through the public health emergency.
Right now, the moratorium is set to expire March 31.
The “pay for” for the bill, S. 748, would extend the sequestration cuts to 2031, instead of 2030, said Seth Johnson, senior vice president of government affairs for Pride Mobility Products.
“We...
Complex rehab stakeholders watch for telehealth developments
October 2, 2020Liz Beaulieu, Editor
EAST AMHERST, N.Y. - Complex rehab stakeholders need to “dig into” any new legislation related to permanently expanding the use of telehealth to make sure it includes occupational therapists and physical therapists, says Don Clayback.
Earlier this year, CMS expanded the use of telehealth, including for OTs and PTs, through the public health emergency.
“Congress needs to give CMS the authority to extend the expansion of telehealth outside of the public health emergency,”...
Accessories issue passes another hurdle
June 28, 2019Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON - A bill in the House of Representatives that would temporarily stop Medicare from applying competitive bidding pricing to accessories for complex rehab manual wheelchairs is headed to the floor for a full vote.The Ways and Means Committee passed H.R. 3429, the “HEARTS and Rural Relief Act,” with a voice vote after a “mark up” session on Wednesday, June 26.“This means the bill has been fully vetted, so it'll be much easier to get it to a full vote,”...
Seat elevation coverage and funding continues to expand. Where are we today?
February 27, 2018Guest Commentary
It's a new year that is full of opportunity on many fronts, including coverage and payment for seat elevation. A few years ago, providers, clinicians and manufacturers began challenging the notion that a power adjustable seat height (PASH) system was not “covered” or paid for by most third-party payers. Significant progress has been made over the last couple years due to extensive outreach and education efforts with stakeholders—consumers, providers, clinicians and payers—highlighting...
What are CMS's plans for prior authorization demonstration
January 23, 2018Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON - A Medicare demonstration project requiring prior authorizations for standard power wheelchairs in 19 states expires this August.
“We've had some initial conversations with Medicare with regard to what they plan to do,” said Seth Johnson, senior vice president of government affairs for Pride Mobility Products. “We remain hopeful that it will become a permanent part of the program.”
CMS's last action on the demo: In July 2015, the agency extended the...
All eyes on House bill for manual accessories
November 22, 2017Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON - With the clock ticking on 2017, stakeholders have zeroed in on increasing the number of co-sponsors for a bill in the House of Representatives that would protect accessories for complex rehab manual wheelchairs.At press time, H.R. 3730, which would exempt these accessories from competitive bidding pricing, had 49 co-sponsors.“We're staying in regular contact with our champions and what they've told us is, stay focused on building the level of support for the bill,” said Seth...
Stakeholders chase legislative fix for accessories
March 10, 2017Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON - Now that bills have been introduced in both the House of Representatives and Senate to permanently protect reimbursement for accessories for complex manual and power wheelchairs, stakeholders are in a race against time to get Congress to act on the issue.Late last year, stakeholders were able to secure a six-month delay in CMS's plans to apply competitive bidding-related pricing to accessories for complex power wheelchairs—a delay that expires July 1 of this year.“We're in...