• Medicare’s “in the home” restriction on mobility devices must be modified so that people with disabilities and chronic conditions can obtain the devices they need to participate in the workplace, school and community.

• 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

• 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 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