PUBLIC POLICY WIN!

WIN FOR MEDICARE COMPLEX REHABILITATION TECHNOLOGY USERS

Recently the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) changed their policy to permanently exclude Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) manual wheelchair accessories from the competitive bidding system thought to cause barriers in access, especially those in rural communities. This is a big win for people living with physical disabilities who use manual wheelchairs and assistive technology to remain independent, healthy, and active. ATRA is an active member of the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid Coalition (ITEM) that advocated for this change for several years, so we celebrate this victory!

CMS had already exempted all CRT power wheelchair accessories from the same cuts. The new permanent policy for manual wheelchair accessories was issued as part of the Fiscal Year 2022 Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System final rule.