Page 34 - Mobility Management, March 2020

advocacy & policyBy Don Clayback, Executive Director, NCART
A Reward for Persistence: CRT Scores a Big Win
They say good things come to those who wait. While that’s often true, those who have been on the
front lines pursuing protections for Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) wheelchairs understand that good things come to those who work persistently while they wait. Good things come to those who don’t quit. And good things come to those who won’t take “no” for an answer when there are big things at stake, like access to CRT for people with disabilities.
The CRT community proved the above in December 2019, when at long last we secured a Congressional victory with the signing of H.R. 1865, a year-end funding bill, that included language protecting access to CRT manual wheelchairs, accessories, and seating. This language came from two smaller bills that had been the focus of CRT advocacy for three years: H.R. 2293, intro- duced by Reps. John Larson (D-Conn.) and Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.), and S. 1223, introduced by Senators Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio).
H.R. 1865 includes two CRT provisions. The first provides a permanent exemption from the Medicare Competitive Bidding Program (CBP) for complex rehab manual wheelchair bases and related accessories. The second supplies an 18-month suspension of the inappropriate application of CBP payment rates — intended for DME items — to accessories/components used with CRT manual wheelchairs. A suspension of this length allows the industry time to continue working with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to develop a permanent policy to protect these items, just as CMS did for Group 3 CRT power wheelchairs in 2016.
For three years, CRT advocates knocked on the doors of Capitol Hill time and time again to garner support for this legislation
These protections were sorely needed, and the CRT community took that seriously. The Medicare CBP pricing being applied for critical components such as head- rests, cushions, and handrims was far below sustain- able. A national industry survey was conducted and
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revealed that 40 percent of CRT providers across the country had significantly altered their service models. This translated to reduced access to individually configured CRT manual wheelchair systems for individuals with disabilities who depend on them. It meant longer wait times, fewer options, and more frustration for providers and their customers.
Worthwhile Changes Take Time
Don Clayback
Reaching a milestone like this in our mission to protect access to CRT is no small task, and we need to cele- brate that. However, there is another foundational lesson to take from this experience. That lesson is under- standing that worthwhile changes take time, unity,
and persistence to achieve. It is accepting that there will be ups and downs along the way, but we must remain determined to continue the pursuit of the goal to achieve what we seek.
For three years, CRT advocates knocked on the doors of Capitol Hill time and time again to garner support
for this legislation that would restore and guard access. Congress needed to be educated by their constituents about what was happening in the lives of individuals with disabilities. Our community showed up in a big way to make sure it happened. And when we did, we were heard. Providers, manufacturers, consumers, clinicians, disability groups, and industry organizations dedicated their time and resources to being on Capitol Hill for meet- ings with Congress. They rallied national support through grassroots e-mails, social media awareness, phone
calls, published articles, and more to steadily deliver the message that change must be made.
It was this persistent and united outreach that culminated in seeing our CRT legislation included in a year-end package that was signed into law on Dec. 20, 2019. Simply put, the CRT community kept after this until the job was done. Were it not for the countless hours and unwavering effort of these advocates, people with disabilities would still be dealing with reduced access to much-needed equipment. We are grateful for the engagement that each advocate showed over the
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