Date: Monday, August 5, 2013
Category: General
The National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology (NCART), in conjunction with the CRT Separate Benefit Coalition of which RESNA is a member, has declared August 19th - 23rd "National CRT Week" in support of HR 942 and S 948.
During this week, complex rehab technology professionals are urged to reach out to their Congressional representatives on behalf of the bills. House of Representative members and Senators will be in their home districts due to the August recess, and will be focused on meeting with constituents. This is the perfect time to make a connection and advocate for CRT.
HR 942 and S 948 would create a separate benefit category under Medicare for complex rehabilitation technology (CRT), which includes products such as complex rehabilitation power wheelchairs, highly configurable manual wheelchairs, adaptive seating and positioning systems, and other specialized equipment. A separate benefit category will allow for unique coding, coverage, and payment rules and policies will address the unique situations of this subset of durable medical equipment.
CRT stakeholders are urged to seek a face-to-face meeting with their elected representatives. They can ask their representatives to sign on as a co-sponsor (see list of co-sponsors here), introduce them to complex rehabilitation technology, and deliver the CRT Legislation Information Pack (downloadable through this link).
There is a variety of helpful educational information available at the Coalition's website, www.access2crt.org. Even if you are not able to get a meeting during this week, CRT stakeholders are urged to reach out to their representatives during this time.
For more information, visit www.access2crt.org.