June 2, 2016
CRT Stakeholders and Friends,
Yesterday afternoon the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released their report to Congress regarding Group 3 Complex Rehab Power wheelchair accessories.
This report was required as part of year end legislation that implemented a one year delay in the application of competitive bid pricing rates to accessories used with Group 3 Complex Rehab Power Wheelchairs.
The report focuses on (1) the utilization and expenditures for Medicare wheelchairs and accessories, in particular for Group 3 Complex Rehab Power Wheelchairs and the accessories used with them; and (2) how the 2016 Competitive Bidding Program adjusted payment rates for wheelchair accessories, in particular those furnished in connection with Group 3 Complex Rehab Power Wheelchairs, compare to the 2016 unadjusted fee schedule payment rates for the same items.
You can download a copy of the report at http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-16-640R.
Based on our initial review, the report is very data driven and validates the information CRT stakeholders have shared with Congress in support of passage of the CRT Wheelchair Accessory Legislation (H.R. 3229 and S. 2196).
We are in the process of fully analyzing the report and will be sharing more details shortly.
Regards,
Don
Donald E. Clayback
Executive Director | NCART
Office 716-839-9728 | Cell 716-913-4754
dclayback@ncart.us |www.ncart.us
P.S. If you know of other CRT stakeholders who would like to receive these types of updates please have them sign up at the NCART website.