Fwd: [MS_Community] Fw: [bostoncure.org] NEW COALITION REPEALS MEDICARE RESTR...

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In a message dated 02/09/2004 8:09:07 PM Eastern Standard Time, jayneadler@... writes:

-----Forwarded Message-----From: Art Mellor <art@...>Sent: Feb 9, 2004 2:02 PMbcp-announce@...Subject: [bostoncure.org] NEW COALITION REPEALS MEDICARE RESTRICTIONS ON POWER WHEELCHAIRSForwarded to me by the folks at the MS Foundation. Make a call to letMedicare/Medicaid know this isn't a good idea02/07/04 - NEW COALITION REPEALS MEDICARE RESTRICTIONS ON POWER WHEELCHAIRSThe wheelchair industry, along with leading senior, disability, consumer,clinical and medical organizations, has launched a campaign to restoreMedicare coverage benefits to people who need power wheelchairs.The coalition, known as RAMP (Restore Access to Mobility Partnership), iscalling on the White House, Congress and the Department of Health and HumanServices to urge the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to rescindthe policy change which denies access to needed power wheelchairs.Previously, coverage and reimbursement for power wheelchairs was allowed forpatients who are bed or chair confined or who have a condition rendering awheelchair �medically necessary� for use in their homes, or who cannotoperate a manual wheelchair.Under the new guidelines, anyone who is able to walk any number of steps,without regard for function or safety, will not qualify for a power chair.Tens of thousands of Medicare beneficiaries will lose access to powerwheelchairs, which can significantly improve health, quality of life,mobility, and independence. This restriction, which includes people with MSand other neurological diseases, denies wheeled mobility until the patientbecomes completely bedridden or chair-confined.RAMP predicts that without power wheelchairs, many Medicare beneficiarieswill be forced to give up their independence and go to a nursing home to getthe care they need. Also, people that need a wheelchair to move about intheir own home will most likely incur more fractures due to falls. For moreinformation, send an email to RAMP@.... Or contact the Centers forMedicare and Medicaid Services and/or the Department of Health and HumanServices and urge them to rescind the new wheelchair coverage policy.Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore MD 21244-1850Toll-Free:877-267-2323Local:410-786-3000TTY Toll-Free:866-226-1819TTY Local:410-786-0727The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services200 Independence Avenue, S.W.Washington, D.C. 20201Telephone: 202-619-0257Toll Free: 1-877-696-6775http://www.dhhs.gov_______________________________________________bcp-announce mailing listbcp-announce@...http://www.bostoncure.org/mailman/listinfo/bcp-announce

-----Forwarded Message-----

From: Art Mellor <art@...>

Sent: Feb 9, 2004 2:02 PM

bcp-announce@...

Subject: [bostoncure.org] NEW COALITION REPEALS MEDICARE RESTRICTIONS ON POWER

WHEELCHAIRS

Forwarded to me by the folks at the MS Foundation. Make a call to let

Medicare/Medicaid know this isn't a good idea

02/07/04 - NEW COALITION REPEALS MEDICARE RESTRICTIONS ON POWER WHEELCHAIRS

The wheelchair industry, along with leading senior, disability, consumer,

clinical and medical organizations, has launched a campaign to restore

Medicare coverage benefits to people who need power wheelchairs.

The coalition, known as RAMP (Restore Access to Mobility Partnership), is

calling on the White House, Congress and the Department of Health and Human

Services to urge the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to rescind

the policy change which denies access to needed power wheelchairs.

Previously, coverage and reimbursement for power wheelchairs was allowed for

patients who are bed or chair confined or who have a condition rendering a

wheelchair �medically necessary� for use in their homes, or who cannot

operate a manual wheelchair.

Under the new guidelines, anyone who is able to walk any number of steps,

without regard for function or safety, will not qualify for a power chair.

Tens of thousands of Medicare beneficiaries will lose access to power

wheelchairs, which can significantly improve health, quality of life,

mobility, and independence. This restriction, which includes people with MS

and other neurological diseases, denies wheeled mobility until the patient

becomes completely bedridden or chair-confined.

RAMP predicts that without power wheelchairs, many Medicare beneficiaries

will be forced to give up their independence and go to a nursing home to get

the care they need. Also, people that need a wheelchair to move about in

their own home will most likely incur more fractures due to falls. For more

information, send an email to RAMP@.... Or contact the Centers for

Medicare and Medicaid Services and/or the Department of Health and Human

Services and urge them to rescind the new wheelchair coverage policy.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore MD 21244-1850

Toll-Free:

877-267-2323

Local:

410-786-3000

TTY Toll-Free:

866-226-1819

TTY Local:

410-786-0727

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

200 Independence Avenue, S.W.

Washington, D.C. 20201

Telephone: 202-619-0257

Toll Free: 1-877-696-6775

http://www.dhhs.gov

_______________________________________________

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http://www.bostoncure.org/mailman/listinfo/bcp-announce

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