October 2019
Each month "NCART News" delivers the latest Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) Medicare and Medicaid updates, advocacy opportunities, and event information all in one place.
How To Help Get CRT Legislation Passed

CRT stakeholders continue to engage Members of Congress and committee staff asking for their help in getting H.R. 2293 / S. 1223 passed by year-end. Though it's a chaotic time at the Capitol, we do have control over the level of outreach and advocacy being done on behalf of CRT.

Our Congressional champions have told us that the best thing we can be doing as a community is continuing to raise awareness through securing additional cosponsors. This is a tangible way of showing leaders in Congress that this bill is still a priority. We need our collective voice to remain strong if we want to get our legislation passed.

If your Members haven't signed on yet this is an excellent time to reach out to them by visiting www.protectmymobility.org . Using the links on that site CRT advocates can send an email or make a phone call in less than five minutes to ask for support of this important legislation. If you've already made your requests to Congress, share the site with others so they can do the same!
New Name. Same Mission.
NCART and NRRTS proudly announce the 2020 Access2CRT Summit being held next March 30-31 in Arlington, VA. Previously known as the National CRT Leadership and Advocacy Conference, this two-day event offers a range of benefits for CRT suppliers, manufacturers, consumers, clinicians, and others. Join dedicated advocates on Capitol Hill and take advantage of:

  • Session topics that impact your business
  • A unique look at issues effecting CRT Access
  • Capitol Hill appointments with your Members of Congress
  • Networking with industry leaders and fellow advocates
  • Opportunities to earn Continuing Education Units for educational sessions

Save YOUR place among others who are taking action to protect the future of CRT. Registration will open soon, but mark your calendars today!
Medicaid Work in October

NCART continues to its work on state-level issues that impact access to CRT. If you are currently dealing with a CRT issue related to the Medicaid program in your state please send us an email using the button below. A summary of some of our October activity is below:

Illinois - Discussions continue with the Department on several CRT issues; NCART members are reviewing draft policy provided by the Department and making comment.
Indiana - The state delayed payment rates decreases previously scheduled to go into effect 10/1; NCART has been working in conjunction with the Great Lakes Association, AA Homecare, and the VGM Group; an in-person group meeting is scheduled with the Department on 11/6.
New York - CRT Separate Recognition legislation is awaiting the Governor's signature; a meeting with the Department of Health was held on 10/16 to discuss details of the bill.
Oklahoma - Changes effective 10/1 were announced to the OHCA Fair Market Pricing Program; initial outreach has begun and NCART members are coordinating a response.
Utah - Payment rates are being updated to match the Medicare fee schedule effective 10/1; NCART members are collaborating with UTMED to determine next steps.
Medicaid Block Grant Proposal

The state of Tennessee published a draft proposal to convert the federal share of its Medicaid funding to a “block grant”. Under a block grant, a state would receive a limited, pre-budgeted amount of money from the federal government to finance its Medicaid program.

At a high level, the block grant concept can pose serious access risks to people who require CRT unless there are needed safeguards in place. NCART submitted comments raising a variety of questions and making recommendations based on the initial information contained in the draft proposal. You can view the NCART letter by clicking below.
PDAC CRT In-Services

NCART led a group of CRT stakeholders to Columbia, SC to present two CRT in-services to staff at
Palmetto GBA, the organization contracted by the Medicare program for Pricing, Coding and Data
Analysis (PDAC). The sessions consisted of lectures and hands-on demonstrations covering CRT manual and power wheelchair bases, options and accessories, seating and positioning systems, and alternative drive controls.

We appreciate Palmetto GBA and its staff providing these educational opportunities as the PDAC plays an important role in the classification and funding of CRT and their actions have a direct impact on CRT access. Thanks also go to the organizations that participated: NCART, the Orion Group, the Clinician Task Force, Quantum Rehab, Sunrise Medical, Permobil, Invacare, Ki Mobility, and AA Homecare.
Taking CRT Advocacy on the Road
NCART had the privilege of exhibiting at two conferences last week. Our first stop was in Atlanta, Georgia for the Medtrade Fall event. For two days we were able to catch up with some old friends and make some new ones as we shared CRT updates and discussed how people could get more involved in our advocacy work.

We then headed to San Mateo, California for the Abilities Expo where we were honored to exhibit and present a workshop on the importance of advocacy. We also had an opportunity to spend some one-on-one time with individuals who utilize CRT as well as other advocates who wanted to better understand who NCART is and how they could help protect access.

We are thankful for events like these where we can expand the reach of the CRT message. Looking forward to our next events!
Monthly Motivation

A Treat You Won't Want to Miss This Halloween
One of the best parts of the Halloween season each year is checking out all of the creative costumes that everyone comes up with. There have been a lot of impressive impersonations lately, but you'll be astonished at the way Jeremy Miller gets ready for his trick or treating! Jeremy was born with Spina Bifida, uses a wheelchair, and Halloween happens to be his favorite holiday. With his dad's help, they don't hold anything back and the costumes make headlines as a result. Can't wait to see what he'll be this year! Happy Halloween!
NCART Membership

Increasing CRT coverage and payment challenges are making it more difficult to provide quality products and service to people with disabilities. That's where NCART comes in. Our work brings together dedicated providers, manufacturers, and other advocates in the fight to protect access to CRT at the federal and state levels. We have a proven track record of collaborating with stakeholders to deliver the CRT message and secure needed policy changes.

If your organization provides or manufactures CRT, you should be a member of NCART. If you aren't, please join to enable us to continue our important advocacy work. Your membership will ensure people with disabilities in your community and across the country can access the critical CRT equipment and services you provide. For more information please visit the membership area of our website at www.ncart.us .

NCART | info@ncart.us | 716-839-9728 | www.ncart.us