Unfortunately, it is all too true... We have the politicos to thank for that. :( I've already written my Representative, for all the good it did me... :(
---- Original message ----
>Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:03:08 -0700
>From: Chester Worwa <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Fwd: FW: If you use a power wheelchair - this will affect you...
>To: [log in to unmask]
>
>I got this from a friend. Has anyone else heard of
>such a thing?
>
>> --- On Tue 04/22, chris muller <
>> [log in to unmask] > wrote:
>> From: chris muller [mailto: [log in to unmask]]
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:23:27 -0700 (PDT)
>> Subject: If you use a power wheelchair - this will
>> affect you...
>>
>> Hello All,
>>
>> See more detailed info below - but basically - if
>> you use a power wheelchair - the government is
>> implementing a system where a scooter store can low
>> bid on a bidding process and then places like
>> Buffalo Wheelchair and Dove Medical won't get the
>> bid - so the end result will be no reimbursement to
>> wheelchair stores to service our chairs, provide
>> evaluations, and tech visits. This is currently
>> with Medicare - but trickle down will effect
>> medicaid and private insurance eventually. Are you
>> comfortable purchasing your power wheelchair through
>> a scooter store that may be hours away - and where
>> will the service come from???
>>
>> Let your legislators know that you depend on your
>> power wheelchair - that it is custom, individualized
>> equipment, and that you need better options.
>>
>> Chris
>> Christine Muller The Independence Foundation
>> 716-685-3976 www.TheIndependenceFoundation.org How
>> wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single
>> moment, before starting to improve the
>> world......Anne Frank--- On Tue, 4/22/08, Joseph A.
>> Gardella, Jr. <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> From: Joseph A. Gardella, Jr.
>> <[log in to unmask]>Subject: More on Competitive
>> bidding (fwd)To:
>>
>[log in to unmask]:
>> Tuesday, April 22, 2008, 8:08 AMTo better explain
>> what this means here is the latest from the Capital
>> Insider,
>> sent out by National ARC and UCP. This will
>> adversely affect all who use a
>> wheelchair. Competitive bidding will NOT include
>> therapist or tech support of
>> DME. To put in perspective, in trial markets, the
>> Scooter Store won in 10 of 10
>> markets but had no tech support in any of them.
>> CMS Consumer Call re: power wheelchair concerns.
>>
>> On Tuesday, April 22, 2008 CMS will host a
>> consumer call between 2:30- 3:30
>> p.m. EDT. Learn more about Medicare’s scheduled
>> reimbursement reduction of
>> power wheelchairs on a conference call this Tuesday.
>> Starting July 1, 2008
>> power chair reimbursement will be reduced by 19%--
>> this is in addition to the
>> 26% decrease in 2006. Private insurance, Medicaid,
>> and dual eligible benefits
>> are often based on Medicare reimbursement rates, so
>> this scheduled shift is
>> far-reaching. CMS will provide an update on
>> competitive bidding program for
>> durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthodics,
>> and supplies (DMEPOS) and
>> policy experts will be available to answer
>> questions. Dial toll-free:
>> 800-475-0456 (Please call in 15 minutes before the
>> session begins). Pass code:
>> NMTP. For more information, see:
>>
>http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalMedicareTrainingProgram/EmailUpdates/itemdetail.asp?filterType=none&filterByDID=-99&sortByDID=1&sortOrder=ascending&itemID=CMS1209880&intNumPerPage=10
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> David V. Whalen
>> Disability Awareness Training
>> 74 Fleetwood Terrace
>> Williamsville, NY 14221
>> (716)565-9338
>> (716)908-6770 cell
>> [log in to unmask]
>> www.disabilityawarenesstraining.com
>>
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