ROCKVILLE, Md.--An industry committee empaneled by CMS to provide input on new codes and testing requirements for power mobility devices began its work at a two-day meeting last week.

Following CMS' announcement in October that it would delay implementation of new Medicare power mobility codes--originally issued in February then revised in mid-September last year--Dr. Doran Edwards, SADMERC medical director, said he planned to devote his "full attention" to reworking the codes one final time with the committee's expertise as support.

Members of the Technical Expert Panel, which met in Rockville, Md., Feb. 8-9, include Gerald White, Pride Mobility Products; Mark Greig, Sunrise Medical; David Mahilo, Invacare Corp.; Anthony DiGiovanni, Hoveround; Tara Gentile, Permobil; Simon Margolis, National Seating and Mobility; Peter Axelson, Beneficial Designs (representing RESNA, the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America); Leonard Frier, MET Laboratories Inc.; Robbie Leonard, PT, Leonard Physical Therapy; Anita Pear, clinician consultant and New York University assistant professor; Greg McGrew, University of Virginia; Mark Schmeler, University of Pittsburgh; Larry Schneider, University of Michigan; and Bill Ammer, Ammer Consulting.

In the first round of new codes issued last year, the number ballooned to 49 from the current K codes (K0010 through K0014). But in September, those codes were revised and bumped to 63, and new product testing requirements were put in place though manufacturers had already tested products based on the 49 codes.

In October, the codes were retracted entirely, and Edwards said his goal in reworking them would be to "settle this once and for all so that the codes can remain in effect for a number of years without having to be tweaked." Edwards said that determining the performance categories for power wheelchairs would be the initial matter at hand for the panel, and that testing requirements should be consistent to ensure product quality, safety and the best clinical outcomes for users.

According to Seth Johnson, chair of AAHomecare's Rehab and Assistive Technology Council and director of government affairs for Pride Mobility, CMS contractor ECRI, brought in as facilitator, will put together a report of the meeting including the panel's recommendations. The report is expected to be issued by the end of March, when CMS would then determine how to proceed with code development.

Based on that timeline, said Johnson, "New codes could potentially go into effect as early as July 2006, but the timing will largely be dependent upon the makeup of the new codes and any additional testing that is required."

"This is the third formal attempt to come to a consensus that you agree with, CMS agrees with and the DMERCs agree with," Edwards told an audience at Medtrade last fall. "This will impact the future of power mobility. We must get this right."

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