Victory for mobility: MS activists stop a damaging Medicare policy.In November MS activists successfully advocated for revisions to a Medicare policy that limited access to high-quality wheelchairs and reduced coverage reimbursements. The Society-led informal coalition was made up of patient groups, such as the Parkinson's Action Network, and mobility device manufacturers. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), previously known as the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), is a federal agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that administers the Medicare program and (CMS (1) See content management system and color management system. (2) (Conversational Monitor System) Software that provides interactive communications for IBM's VM operating system. ) had proposed using an arbitrary "stand, pivot, and transfer" test--not the medical needs of the individual--to decide the type of mobility device to be covered. This non-medical test would have fitted individuals who were able to stand up and transfer with lower-quality chairs. CMS also had proposed reducing reimbursement Reimbursement Payment made to someone for out-of-pocket expenses has incurred. , which would have limited the availability of wheelchairs for all beneficiaries no matter their eligibility. MS activists went into high gear, calling their legislators, visiting their district congressional offices, and sending letters to their local newspapers. "I am extremely proud of their diligent dil·i·gent adj. Marked by persevering, painstaking effort. See Synonyms at busy. [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin d grassroots advocacy," said loyce Nelson, president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of the National MS Society. "This is a significant victory." The revised language allows physicians to prescribe pre·scribe v. To give directions, either orally or in writing, for the preparation and administration of a remedy to be used in the treatment of a disease. appropriate mobility devices for their patients and it protects the reimbursement rates for high-quality power wheelchairs. To read the policy; visit the CMS Web site at: wwwl.cms.hhs.gov/ DMEPOSFeeSched/01a_ Power_Mobility_Devices .asp. To become an MS activist or learn about other policy issues, visit: nationalmssociety.com/ advocacy. |
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