government
Medicare prior authorization for scooters demo delayed
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Jan. 9, 2012
A demonstration that would require prior authorization for power wheelchairs in certain states has been delayed indefinitely after lawmakers urged the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services not to implement the project.
CMS had planned to require prior authorization for scooters and power wheelchairs in seven states -- California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New York, North Carolina and Texas -- starting Jan. 2. But the Medicare agency decided to delay the project after receiving comments from lawmakers and associations representing equipment suppliers.
The demonstration would prevent fraudulent medical equipment claims, CMS said when it announced the project on Nov. 15, 2011. But a month later, a bipartisan group of 22 House members sent a letter stating that the demo could harm seniors who depend on the equipment to live independently at home.
The American Assn. for Homecare, which represents equipment suppliers, had asked Congress to intervene. "Members of Congress should be worried about the impact of this program on many of the most vulnerable people in our society," said Tyler J. Wilson, the association's president and CEO.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/01/09/gvbf0109.htm.
