Tag: Wheelchair

WASHINGTON – The Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee in the House of Representatives has approved two HME-related bills, AAHomecare has reported.  The bills, The DMEPOS Relief Act of 2023 (H.R. 5555) and The Choices for Increased Mobility Act (H.R. 5371), will now move to the full E&C Committee for consideration in the coming weeks, the association says.   “This is a major step forward for our priority legislation in the House,” said Tom Ryan, AAHomecare president...

WASHINGTON – Sens. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Bob Casey, D-Pa., and Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., are asking CMS to conduct a full review of its national coverage determination (NCD) for mobility assistive equipment for Medicare beneficiaries, including its interpretation of the “in-the-home" requirement.  Current Medicare coverage limitations on equipment used outside the home can limit a beneficiary’s access to mobility equipment and their communities,...

WASHINGTON – Rep. John Joyce, R-Pa., has introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that would allow for code upgrades for titanium and carbon fiber wheelchairs under Medicare. “Stronger patient access to lightweight carbon fiber and titanium wheelchairs will allow more individuals with mobility challenges to function independently and take part in their communities,” said Tom Ryan, AAHomecare president and CEO. “Working to build support for this measure has...

The potential for the scooter and wheelchair sector is strong and continues to grow, manufacturers in the field say. The aging population is constantly increasing, and more seniors and consumers overall want products that go above Medicare allowables. Pent-up demand in the wake of the pandemic is also a factor.  “The current demand for mobility products continues to be strong across all categories,” said Jeff Distasio, vice president of sales for Duryea, Pa.-based Pride Mobility. “We...

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Mobility City Holdings has opened six new franchise locations. The locations are in Gwinnett County, Ga.; Orange County, Calif.; Hilton Head, S.C.; Montgomery County, Pa.; Southfield, Mich.; Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; and Richmond, Va. "We are thrilled to be able to offer our services to even more people," said Diane Baratta, CEO, Mobility City holdings. "Mobility City is all about helping people live their best lives, and we are so proud to be able to do that in five...

WASHINGTON – Medicare paid $30.1 million in repair costs for wheelchairs that exceeded the federally recommended limit during their reasonable useful lifetime, according to a new report from the Office of Inspector General.  Under Medicare, if the DME MACs determine that a beneficiary-owned wheelchair (after the 13-month rental period) will not last the full 5-year reasonable useful life (RUL), the supplier is responsible for replacing the wheelchair without charging the beneficiary...

LUBBOCK, Texas – NRRTS, with help from a team of clinicians, has developed a best practice guideline for wheelchair service, preventative maintenance and repair – something the organization hopes will, eventually, serve as a vehicle for better coverage and reimbursement.    NRRTS put out the four-page guideline – which was developed by Jack Fried, MS; Mark Schmeler, PhD, OTR/L, ATP; Richard Schein, PhD, MPH; Gede Pramana, PhD; Madelyn Betz, MS, ATP; Weesie Walker,...

WASHINGTON – About 100 wheelchair users from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C., recently for the United Spinal Association’s 11th Roll on Capitol Hill. They led more than 160 office visits with legislators and their staff to discuss three policy priorities: improve air travel protections, wheelchair coverage and accessible ground transportation. “I always say that this ‘isn’t my thing,’” said wheelchair user Meg Hammond, who represented Ohio....

BOSTON – The Medicaid program in Massachusetts has added new procedure codes and corresponding rates for shipping fees and wheelchair repair evaluation, according to NCART. The new codes and rates went into effect July 1. They are: Code A9901, $3, DME delivery, set up and/or dispensing service component of another HCPCS code.  Modifier U7: Used in conjunction with K0739 for direct service components when an in-person evaluation is performed for the repair of a mobility system RE-1...

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,...