Tag: NCART
John Letizia joins expanded NCART board
January 24, 2025Liz Beaulieu, Editor
EDENSBURG, Pa. – After focusing on his business and his family life for several years, John Letizia, a former chairman of AAHomecare’s board of directors, is back in the industry spotlight, this time at NCART.
Letizia, president of Laurel Medical Solutions, which provides mobility and accessibility products and services, as well as HME, respiratory and O&P, was announced as a new board member of the association in December.
“I’m super excited,” he said....
CMS, PDAC detail plans for new E1028 code
January 20, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – CMS has accepted some but not all NCART’s recommendations as part of its preliminary decision on the PDAC’s code application to review E1028 and establish three new codes to describe manual, swing-away and retractable or removable mounting hardware used in conjunction with medically necessary wheelchair accessories. NCART agreed with the programmatic need for the change but requested CMS consider several edits to more accurately describe the components associated with...
NCART seeks to make telehealth flexibilities permanent
January 6, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Now that Congress has extended telehealth flexibilities through March 2025, NCART says it will continue to work toward a permanent solution that allows PTs and OTs to receive coverage under Medicare for remote services related to the provision of complex rehab technology products. To preserve and protect access to CRT and promote continuity of care for beneficiaries, the organization says it will continue to advocate for permanently including PT and OT codes used in the provision...
Coverage, reform, technology among drivers of CRT
December 18, 2024Tracy Orzel
The push for better coverage in complex rehab continues to reshape the landscape, with experts highlighting key wins—most notably, securing funding for power seat elevation—and ongoing challenges as 2025 unfolds.
“Funding for power seat elevation definitely has been a huge win for the industry and the clients receiving this function on their power mobility devices,” said Jay Brislin, vice president of Quantum Rehab. “The amount of increased independence, social...
Power seat elevation: NCART zeroes in on access issues in Medicaid
December 6, 2024Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON – Now that there is a Medicare code and payment for power seat elevation systems, NCART is doing the painstaking work of making sure state Medicaid programs have a pathway to also cover the technology.
In November, for example, the organization announced that it had secured coverage for E2298 for adults 21 and over in Alabama starting Jan. 1, 2025, with help from Cathy Carver, PT, DPT, ATP/SMS, at University of Alabama Birmingham/Spain Rehabilitation Center, as well the...
NCART celebrates retiring CRT leaders
December 4, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – NCART recognized three industry advocates who will be retiring from the NCART board of directors and from their companies. They are:
Greg Packer of US Rehab: “Greg has been a committed and determined advocate for the CRT industry for decades,” said Ike Issacson, senior vice president of government & regulatory relations, VGM. “His work was personal to him, and anybody who worked with him knew that he would do anything he could for those in the industry.
Doug...
Complex rehab stakeholders rally around titanium bill
October 4, 2024Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON – Two congressional fly-ins in September, which resulted in more than 100 meetings with lawmakers and their staff, served as a call for action to improve access to titanium and carbon fiber ultralightweight manual wheelchairs.
AAHomecare hit the Hill on Sept. 10, followed by NCART and U.S. Rehab on Sept. 24, to ask lawmakers to consider passing “Choices for Increased Mobility Act” or including it in end-of-year legislation.
“I was pleased we were...
CRT advocates wrap successful lobbying day
October 2, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rehab and NCART hosted about 70 meetings with various members of the House of Representative and the Senate on Sept. 24 to advocate for enhanced accessibility and support for individuals with disabilities. During the meetings, stakeholders urged members of Congress to support H.R. 5371 and the newly released S. 5154, which would allow consumers the choice to upgrade to a titanium or carbon fiber manual wheelchair, ensuring they have access to the best possible mobility solutions...
CRT advocates make case for H.R. 5371
September 19, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Complex rehab stakeholders converged on Capitol Hill last week to boost support for legislation that would improve access to titanium or carbon fiber wheelchairs.
The group met with legislators and staff from 49 Congressional offices Sept. 9-10 to move H.R. 5371 forward and seek support for a Senate companion bill that is expected to be introduced soon.
“Our CRT leaders made a strong impression across The Hill that included reaching a high proportion of...
Representatives push standing systems
September 18, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – NCART reports that Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., and Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., leaders of the Disability Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives, have introduced a “Dear Colleague” letter asking CMS to open the coverage determination for power standing systems. “Please contact your U.S. representative today and urge them to sign on to the Dingell/Fitzpatrick congressional sign-on letter urging CMS to promptly open the NCA and public comment period regarding...