This week, members of the U.S. Senate are considering amendments to the Senate Health Care Reform bill, H.R. 3590 - the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) - and one amendment, filed by Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA), protects the ability of Medicare beneficiaries to purchase wheelchairs upon first use. Please call your Senators TODAY to request they support Senate Amendment 2941, the "clawback amendment."
The first month purchase option for power wheelchairs under Medicare currently allows an individual to choose whether to purchase or rent their mobility device in the first month of use. A provision in the Senate bill would eliminate patient choice by forcing beneficiaries to rent their mobility device for thirteen months before they can own it. This would result in problems with access to the types of devices that meet the specific needs of each beneficiary.
The Senate bill currently includes an exception for complex rehabiltiation wheelchairs. The clawback amendment keeps this exception and goes further by allowing an individual deemed by a physician to be likely to require the wheelchair for at least 13 months to purchase the wheelchair up front, in the first month. If the individual ultimately does not need the device for 13 months, Medicare can "clawback" the difference in value paid to the supplier.
Take action NOW! Join the ITEM Coalition in contacting your Senators to request the Senate pass the clawback amendment. Use the links on the right to find contact information for your Senators or call the Senate switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Ask for your Senator and make sure the voices of individuals who need assistive devices and technologies are heard loud and clear!
Tell your Senators to pass the Specter clawback amendment and protect the first month purchase option!
For more information, see the ITEM Coalition's letter of support for the proposal. |