Baldwin Asks for Restoration of Funds to Complex Rehab

WASHINGTON — On Thursday, Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc., began circulating a sign-on letter asking congressional colleagues for their support in restoration of the 9.5 percent cut to complex power wheelchairs and accessories. To "pay for" Congress' delay of competitive bidding last year, the cut was applied to all items in Round 1 of the program effective Jan. 1.

Baldwin's letter, which will be sent to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., points out that "Congress explicitly exempted Group 3 products and related accessories from competitive bidding, recognizing that these products were not appropriate for bidding because of their complexity and individualized nature.

"Unfortunately, however, when Congress enacted an across-the-board reduction of 9.5 percent to pay for a delay of competitive bidding, these same products were not explicitly exempted from the cut," Baldwin wrote.

Baldwin notes the inclusion of complex rehab in the across-the-board cut produces less than $10 million in savings annually.

"While this amount is small from a federal perspective, its impact on the community of patients, providers and manufacturers who depend upon and make available these highly specialized products has been significant," Baldwin said. "Access problems are emerging, particularly as state Medicaid programs align their pricing with Medicare rates. Beneficiaries who are highly dependent on their mobility systems are encountering problems with accessing needed services and repairs.

"This problem will not disappear when the reimbursement levels are set for next year," Baldwin continued. "The 9.5 percent cut, inappropriately passed on to a category of products excluded from competitive bidding, has now been built into the base. Providers already operating on the slimmest of margins face a future of reduced reimbursement levels. This is not sustainable and will harm beneficiaries," she said.

NCART Executive Director Don Clayback is urging providers to contact their representatives to co-sign Baldwin's letter.

"Yes we are facing an uphill battle to get this fixed," he said, "but if you are in complex rehab you are a proven warrior! This is a very small 'fix,' and it can still be done if we can get our message out there."

Signatures will be collected through close of business Tuesday, Oct. 6 (tomorrow), Clayback said. To sign on, representatives should contact Elizabeth Lee in Baldwin's office at 202/225-2906 or Elizabeth.Lee@mail.house.gov.