Unless the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) delays a policy change, schedule to take effect on October 1, certain Medicare beneficiaries will be forced to use medical equipment, such as scooters and wheelchairs, that doesn’t suit their particular needs, say lawmakers and stakeholders. From Medical News Today:
Sen. Santorum noted that while the National Coverage Determination revamped the coverage criteria for mobility equipment more than a year ago, “since that time, others and myself have weighed in strongly to express our concerns with certain proposed policy changes and timeframes. Specifically, changes to the power mobility benefit, which are seen as counter to the expert guidance provided to CMS by product engineers, physicians, clinicians, and other industry stakeholders.”
In his letter, Rep. Sherwood said that the recent changes “will create major disruptions to the power mobility industry and result in denial of coverage in appropriate devices. These concerns prompt me to respectfully request that you postpone the October 1, 2006 implementation date for new codes, pricing and coverage policies.”
In other CMS news, the agency began a campaign called “My Health. My Medicare†to help beneficiaries sign up for Medicare Part D. The new enrollment period begins November 15.