CMS Plans to Announce Actions to Address Power Wheelchair Concerns
March 18, 2004

U.S. House and Senate Notification

To: Congressional Health Staffer
From: Carleen Talley
Director, Congressional Affairs Group
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Subject: CMS Plans to Announce Actions to Address Power Wheelchair Concerns I know that many of you have inquired with concerns regarding power wheelchairs and a recent bulletin which suppliers have asserted represents a change in CMS policy. Accordingly, I wanted to let you know that CMS has decided to retract the December 9, 2003 Durable Medical Equipment Regional Carrier (DMERC) Article which was intended to reiterate our coverage policy on power wheelchairs. The coverage policy remains unchanged from when it was originally put into place in 1985. CMS will continue to pay claims as it has prior to and following the issuance of the December 9, 2003 DMERC Article.

We are taking this action in response to concerns voiced by the power wheelchair community which were brought to the agency's attention through our Open Door Forums and Listening Sessions held in February and March. We will be providing more information on additional action steps that will soon follow. Specifically, CMS is planning to issue a press release shortly which will review the eight primary themes garnered from the multiple Listening Sessions and Open Door Forums on this issue, and will provide CMS' response to the issues raised. In addition, we will soon hold a follow-up Open Door Forum at which all four Medical Directors from the DMERCs will be present.

We will continue to keep you updated as we have additional information. If you have questions, please contact Tricia Rodgers (690-5445) on my staff.

Thank you.

Amelia Steed
Congressional Liaison, Regions I & X
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Office of Legislation/Congressional Affairs Group
(202) 690-7125
(202) 690-8168 fax

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