• Federal health programs and private payers must appropriately recognize improvements in function when determining whether assistive devices, technologies and related services are “medically necessary.”
  
  EXAMPLES: hearing aids, powered mobility devices, CCTV, advanced prosthetic limbs, environmental control units

• Federal health programs and private payers must recognize prevention of primary and secondary injury when determining whether assistive devices, technologies and related services are “medically necessary.”
  
  EXAMPLES: grab bars and other safety devices, powered and lightweight wheelchairs, voice-output blood glucose meters

• Medicare’s “in the home” restriction on durable medical equipment must be changed so that people with disabilities and chronic conditions can obtain the assistive devices, technologies and related services they need to participate in the workplace, school and community.

• Increased federal funding must be committed to build the evidence base regarding the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of coverage of assistive devices, technologies and related services.

STRATEGY

• Raise awareness among key hill and agency contacts in each major federal health program (Medicare, Medicaid, FEHBP, TRICARE and VA).

• Develop a prioritized list of meetings for these contacts and create a strike force made of members of the Coalition to conduct these meetings.

• Develop legislative and regulatory strategies to implement needed changes in each major federal program.

• Collect personal stories to document the need for improved access to assistive devices, technologies and related services.

ITEM Coalition Testimony, Comments and Letters