Protecting Complex Manual Wheelchairs

Inappropriate Medicare payment cuts have been reducing access.

Medicare has been inappropriately applying Competitive Bid pricing to reduce payments for critical components of Complex Rehab manual wheelchairs. H.R. 7217 would have suspended this and permanently prevented CMS from including Complex Rehab manual wheelchairs in the Competitive Bidding Program. Unfortunately the Senate ended its 2018 session without taking any action on H.R. 7217 (the "Improve Act"). We will be building on the progress that was made and determining the best actions to take in 2019. Updates will be posted to this site as they become available. 

Additional Resources:
More Details
Position Paper
Consumer/Clinician Letter of Support

What is Complex Rehab Technology (CRT)?

People with significant disabilities depend on individually-configured manual and power wheelchairs, custom seating and positioning systems, and other adaptive equipment such as gait trainers and standing devices to maximize their independence and address their medical needs. These items are collectively referred to as Complex Rehab Technology (CRT). In recent years, access to these individually-configured products and their supporting services has been threatened by various reimbursement cuts and policy changes.  Advocates continue to diligently work alongside Congress to introduce legislation that would provide permanent protection for CRT moving forward.