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Help Improve Access to Assistive Devices

ACA Advocacy Office

Friday, September 08, 2006

Take Action Today to Help Improve Access to Assistive Devices! 

The Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) is proud to be part of the ITEM Coalition. The ITEM Coalition (Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid) has been working to support the “Medicare Independent Living Act of 2006” (S. 3677) and to improve Medicare’s regulation of assistive devices.

Legislation to Improve Access to Assistive Devices: Sponsored by Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), this act would modify Medicare’s restriction on “in the home” mobility devices such as wheelchairs and scooters.

Currently, the language regarding mobility devices is considered coverage for needs in the home.  That means that coverage is restricted to only those mobility devices that are being used in the patient’s residence. This has a very negative impact on people who may be able to get around in their own home without a wheelchair or scooter but who require an assistive device if they want to leave their home. The bill was introduced on July 17 and referred to the Committee on Finance. 

Regulations Limiting Access to Assistive Devices: Medicare just published its new local coverage determinations (LCDs) for power mobility devices (PMDs). Unfortunately, this new policy is even more restrictive. It will severely limit access to the most appropriate assistive devices for individuals with mobility impairments. 

The new policy has an even more restrictive interpretation of the “in the home” requirement. This will prevent many people from receiving devices that could be used outside of the home. 

Take Action to Improve Access to Assistive Devices! Medicare must recognize the importance of access to assistive technology for people with disabilities! The policy is scheduled to go into effect on October 1. Please contact your members of Congress today to urge them to delay the implementation of the new LCDs and to support S. 3677! A sample e-mail is included below. 

Or you can contact your members of Congress via the Capitol switchboard toll-free at 1-877/224-0041. A sample call script is included below.

• To find your representative, click here
• To find your senator, click here 

Sample Call Script

Hello. May I please speak with Representative/Senator ____.  (You will be asked to leave a message.)

My name is _____.  I live in his/her district. I am calling about Medicare’s new local coverage determinations (LCDs) for power mobility devices. These regulations are very restrictive to people with disabilities. I am urging him/her to ask Medicare to delay implementation of the LCDs. There is a bill in Congress right now, S. 3677, the “Medicare Independent Living Act of 2006,” that addresses these issues. I urge Representative/Senator ____ to support this important legislation and to work to improve access to assistive devices so that people with disabilities are able to lead independent, productive lives. (They will most likely ask for your name and address. It is actually very simple.)

You can also e-mail them via their convenient online Web forms. A sample e-mail is included below.

Sample E-mail

Dear Senator,

I am writing in response to Medicare’s new local coverage determinations (LCDs) for power mobility devices. The new policy will severely limit access to the most appropriate assistive devices for individuals with mobility impairments. This will prevent many people from receiving devices that could be used outside of the home to go to school, work and medical appointments. 

Medicare needs to recognize the importance of access to assistive technology for people with disabilities! The policy is scheduled to go into effect on October 1, 2006. I urge you to support delaying the implementation of the new LCD policy and to support legislation to improve access to assistive devices.

Right now, Senator Bingaman is advancing S. 3677, the “Medicare Independent Living Act of 2006.” This bill would modify Medicare’s restriction on “in the home” mobility devices such as wheelchairs and scooters.

Currently, the language regarding mobility devices is considered coverage for needs in the home.  That means that coverage is restricted to only those mobility devices that are being used in the patient’s residence. This has a very negative impact on people who may be able to get around in their own home without a wheelchair or scooter but who require an assistive device if they want to leave their home. 

We must work to ensure that people with disabilities have the means to lead full and independent lives. Please work to delay the implementation of the new Medicare local coverage determinations (LCDs) and support positive legislation like S. 3677, which appropriately addresses the needs of people with disabilities.

Sincerely,

Name, Address

 Summary of the New Medicare Policy

For more information about the bill and to track its progress:

click here

*This page is funded by the ACA and not supported with CDC grant funding. Views expressed in the contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the ACA.