The ITEM Coalition is pleased to announce that CMS has retracted its Power Wheelchair Policy Clarification issued in December, 2003 based on concerns raised by stakeholders such as individual beneficiaries and the ITEM Coalition! Together we have made a real difference!

On March 18, 2004, the Director of CMS' Congressional Affairs Group wrote to congressional health staffers stating that the Policy Clarification is being retracted (the notification is available on www.insidehealthpolicy.com). The notification further stated that CMS will hold another Open Door Forum to address further issues and concerns related to the Medicare power wheelchair benefit. CMS is also apparently going to issue a press release outlining key themes it heard in the comments it received in the Listening Session held earlier this month.

CMS' action directly corresponds with the ITEM Coalition's recommendations in its two letters to Secretary Thompson and comments to the CMS Listening Session. In these documents, the Coalition advocated for the Clarification to be rescinded and for a new policy to be proposed with an opportunity for public comments. We commend Secretary Thompson and CMS Administrator McClellan for this action and also praise Senate Finance Committee Chairman Grassley for his helpful efforts on this issue.

Thank you to all the individual consumers and organizations who made their voice heard on this issue! We will provide more information on future steps by CMS when they are announced.

ITEM Coalition Writes to HHS About Medicare Clarification on Power Mobility (3/12/04)

ITEM Coalition Comments on Power Mobility to Special Open Door Forum

ITEM Coalition Commends Senator Grassley's Letter to CMS on Power Mobility Policy Clarification

Letter from Senator Grassley to CMS on Power Mobility Policy Clarification (PDF Version)

ITEM Coalition Writes to HHS About Medicare Clarification on Power Mobility (1/23/04)