The ITEM Coalition is devoted to raising awareness and building support for policies that will enhance access to assistive devices, technologies, and related services for people with disabilities and chronic conditions. The coalition is consumer-led and includes a diverse set of disability organizations, aging organizations, other consumer groups, voluntary health associations, and non-profit provider associations.
ITEM Coalition 2023 Policy Priorities
ITEM Coalition Win: CMS Proposes Coverage for Seat Elevation Systems in Major Victory for Wheelchair Users
On February 15, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed decision memo offering Medicare coverage of seat elevation systems in power wheelchairs for qualifying beneficiaries. Under the proposal, these systems would be covered for Group 3 power wheelchair users who are able to perform weight-bearing transfers to/from their wheelchair, with or without caregiver assistance or the use of assistive equipment. The ITEM Coalition and its members applaud this proposal, which comes after years of advocacy from the disability community seeking coverage of these systems. If finalized, this would represent a major victory for wheelchair users with significant mobility impairments, their families, friends, caregivers, and the providers who serve them.
The decision is a major step forward, but our work is not yet done! The decision is now open for public comment, and it is critical that CMS receive strong support for their decision and encouragement to expand the coverage criteria to ensure all beneficiaries who need it can get access to seat elevation systems.
The ITEM Coalition urges all member organizations, consumers, clinicians, providers, manufacturers, and all other interested individuals to comment in support of this proposed decision by visiting www.Rise4Access.org. Comments will be accepted for the next 30 days, ending on March 17, 2023.
Advocate for Coverage: www.Rise4Access.org
Sign the Petition: Get Medicare to Cover Seat Elevation and Standing Systems in Power Wheelchairs
Key Resources:
- CMS Proposed Decision Memo
- Full Reconsideration Request for NCD for Mobility Assistive Equipment
- Letter of support from 60 national disability and rehabilitation organizations
- National Council on Disability letter to CMS
- Congressional Support Letters
a. House Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus Letter – 81 signers
b. Bipartisan Senate Letter – 22 signers
Most Recent Advocacy Efforts
March 17, 2023
Letter to CMS: ITEM Coalition Comments on Power Seat Elevation Proposed National Coverage Determination. ITEM Coalition Coordinators letter.
December 19, 2022
- Letter to CMS: Support for Medicare Coverage of Low Vision Aids. 10 ITEM Coalition members signed on.
December 6, 2022
- Letter to Congress: Support for Medicare Orthotic and Prosthetic Patient-Centered Care Act. 33 ITEM Coalition members signed on.
October 7, 2022
- Letter to CMS: Promptly Advance Coverage of Power Seat Elevation and Power Standing Systems. Congressional letter led by Reps. Jim Langevin, Brian Fitzpatrick, Debbie Dingell, and John Rose. 81 Members of Congress signed on.
October 3, 2022
- Letter to CMS: Timeline for CMS Consideration of Power Seat Elevation and Power Standing Systems. Congressional letter by Sens. Tammy Duckworth, Marsha Blackburn, Bob Casey, and 19 other Senators.
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