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.
Most Recent Advocacy Efforts
September 15th: ITEM Coalition Calls on CMS to Expand Medicare Coverage of Seat Elevation and Standing Systems in Power Wheelchairs
- Letter of support from 60 national rehabilitation and disability organizations
- Formal reconsideration request for National Coverage Determination for Mobility Assistive Equipment (NCD for MAE)
- ITEM Coalition press release on submission
- National Council on Disability letter to CMS
July 30th
- Congressional Letter to CMS: Delay Implementation of Competitive Bidding Program During Public Health Emergency. 101 Members of Congress signed on and 36 ITEM Coalition members signed on to message supporting the letter.
May 6th
- Letter to CMS: Modifications to Implementation of Medicare Disposable Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Benefit. ITEM Coalition Steering Committee letter.
March 20th
- Letter to CMS: Coronavirus Response – Request for Exclusion of Non-Invasive Ventilators from Medicare Competitive Bidding Program. Joint ITEM/Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation Steering Committee letter.
- Letter to Congress: Coronavirus Response – Request for Exclusion of Non-Invasive Ventilators from Medicare Competitive Bidding Program. Joint ITEM/Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation Steering Committee letter.
December 16th
- Letter to Energy & Commerce Leaders: Recommendations for Legislative Provisions in Cures 2.0. 36 ITEM Coalition members signed on.
December 2nd
- Letter to Congress: Support for Legislation to Ensure Patient Access to Non-Invasive Ventilators. 28 ITEM Coalition members signed on.
September 27th
- Letter to CMS: Comments on the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies CY 2020 Proposed Rule. 23 ITEM Coalition members signed on.
August 12th
- Letter to CMS: Comments on Request for Information – Reducing Administrative Burden to Put Patients over Paperwork. 28 ITEM Coalition members signed on.
June 21st
- Letter to Congress: Pass Legislation to Restore Access to Manual CRT Wheelchair Accessories (House). 32 ITEM Coalition Members Signed on.
- Letter to Congress: Pass Legislation to Restore Access to Manual CRT Wheelchair Accessories (Senate). 32 ITEM Coalition Members Signed on.
- Letter to Congress: Support Legislation to Differentiate CRT as a Separate Medicare Benefit Category. 32 ITEM Coalition Members Signed on.
June 19th
- Letter to CMS: Ensuring Patient Access to Non-Invasive Ventilators. 29 ITEM Coalition Members signed on.
April 12th
- Letter to CMS: Ensuring Patient Access to Disposable Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in the Home Setting. ITEM Steering Committee letter.
February 28th
- Letter to Sec. Azar: Discussing the Value of Inpatient Hospital Rehabilitation and Coverage of Seat Elevation and Standing Feature Power Wheelchairs for Medicare Beneficiaries. Joint ITEM and Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation Steering Committees letter.
Policy Priorities
The ITEM Coalition’s 2020 Policy Priorities can be found here.
