Five Minnesotans joined
almost 200 other rehabilitation professionals from across the nation
to go to Washington and advocate for people with complex rehab
needs. They met with elected officials to present concerns about
exempting the complex rehab durable medical equipment needs from
the Medicare competitive bidding process. The
concern is that limiting options for those with complex medical needs
(spinal cord injuries, MS, MD, ALS, CP, etc) would greatly limit
function, mobility and access to technology.
Here’s the issue. Medicare is requiring competitive bidding
on equipment needed for rehab. While this may seem like a good cost-saving
policy, it will be a disaster for people with complex medical equipment
needs such as specialized wheelchairs, seating, and alternative drive
controls, etc. Here’s why. For this group of people, rehab and
assistive technology products are highly individualized and must be
assembled, fitted, and programmed to accommodate each person’s
individual medical needs and requirements. Moreover, there is a need
for ongoing service, adjustments and monitoring of these products
to ensure that they continue to meet the medical needs of the person.
Competitive bidding does not work in situations like this. The person
will be limited to choices and access to current technology, leaving
her or him less independent, and at high risk for medical complications
(such as pressure ulcers and contractures).
The Minnesota delegation
met with the legislative aids for Rep. Bachmann, Rep. Ellison,
Rep. Peterson, Rep. Ramstad, Sen. Klobuchar, and Sen. Coleman.
The group was seeking support on House Bill HR 2231 that
was introduced in the House of Representatives last year by Reps. Tom
Allen (D-ME) and Ron Lewis (R-KY). Rep. Peterson has signed onto the
bill already. Rep. Ramstad has been verbally very supportive
but has not yet signed on. The advocates called for a companion bill
in the Senate and have met with both MN Senate offices concerning this. According
to Sen. Klobuchar’s health legislative aide, this was a relatively
new topic to them, but they were supportive of the issues. Sen.
Coleman’s legislative aide is very knowledgeable on the topic
and expressed verbal support.
Following the advocates visit, on April 29, a bipartisan companion
bill was introduced in the Senate, S 2931 to HR 2231, these bills both
exempt complex rehab from national competitive bidding. The National
Coalition for Assis-tive and Rehab Technology (NCART) is encouraging
everyone to contact their Senators and Representatives and urge them
to cosponsor S. 2931 and HR. 2231. ![end of story]()
