RENO, Nev., Nov. 5, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Will
power wheelchairs continue to be available to Nevada’s Medicare
patients following a series of federal regulatory and policy
changes?
There are grave concerns among consumer groups, Medicare
beneficiaries and homecare equipment providers in Nevada that the
changes in Medicare policies may severely hamper the ability of
providers to supply quality products and services to
beneficiaries.
One of the biggest threats is a new law establishing that the
Medicare program will pay rental payments over a 13 month period to
homecare equipment providers after they supply power wheelchairs to
Medicare beneficiaries. The change will create significant cash
flow problems for providers, who will be forced to purchase the
equipment from manufacturers, and then receive reimbursement
payments stretching over 13 months. Previously, Medicare
beneficiaries could request that the government purchase the
equipment for them in the first month of use.
In addition, the Medicare program is expanding the flawed
“competitive” bidding system. The program restricts the number of
providers who can supply home medical equipment in selected
geographical areas around the country, severely jeopardizing access
to power wheelchairs for seniors and those living with physical
disabilities.
“We fear that the Medicare mobility benefit won’t be available
for the people who need it because there won’t be providers around
to fill the power wheelchair prescriptions once doctors order them
for their patients,” said Corrie Herrera, rural director for the
Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living in Elko, Nevada. “Our
organization, as well as others across the state who represent
people living with disabilities, feel that the Washington
policymakers don’t understand how much a power wheelchair means to
the people who need them. We must ensure that Medicare patients
continue to have access to this equipment.” <
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