The Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition, coordinated by Powers Law, is pleased to announce the public release of its Wheelchair Repairs and Maintenance Policy Recommendations, a set of recommended solutions for state and federal advocates to incorporate into their existing advocacy efforts to address the longstanding challenges faced by wheelchair users across the country when their wheelchairs are in need of repair or maintenance. For too long, individuals with mobility disabilities who rely on wheelchairs have faced unnecessary barriers to timely repairs impacting their independence, employment, and participation in daily life. The ITEM Coalition’s recommendations offer six targeted solutions to comprehensively address these difficult issues.
Key recommendations include:
- Expanding coverage for preventative maintenance to avoid costly and dangerous equipment failures.
- Requiring suppliers to provide timely repairs to ensure individuals are not left without essential mobility devices.
- Ensuring access to appropriate temporary replacement wheelchairs while repairs are underway.
- Reducing insurance-related delays caused by excessive documentation and prior authorization requirements.
- Addressing financial barriers by improving reimbursement policies for repairs, including labor and travel costs.
- Establishing the right of beneficiaries to self-repair certain wheelchair components without unnecessary restrictions.
“There is strong support to take steps to solve this problem for all those affected by this problem, including consumers, clinicians, and suppliers,” stated Peter W. Thomas, ITEM Coalition Co-Coordinator, and Powers Managing Partner. “In fact, the only resistance to our proposals were from those who felt we needed to go farther in our recommendations to solve this critical problem for people with disabilities.”
States have already begun taking action to address these repair delays, and the ITEM Coalition encourages Congress to implement national standards for Medicare, Medicaid, and the Veterans Health Administration to ensure equitable access to wheelchair repairs.
“The ITEM Coalition’s wheelchair repairs and maintenance policy recommendations are intended to be used as a starting point for states and other advocacy groups to build on in crafting their own solutions to this problem.” added Michael Barnett, ITEM Coalition Co-Coordinator and Powers’ Director of Government Relations.
The ITEM Coalition continues to advocate for these critical policy changes and invites stakeholders, legislators, and the public to join in supporting solutions that prioritize mobility, independence, and dignity for individuals with disabilities.
ITEM Coalition’s press release is available at this link.
Powers Managing Partner, Peter Thomas, who works closely with the Healthcare and Government Relations & Public Policy teams at Powers, serves as lead counsel and Co-Coordinator, along with Powers’ Director of Government Relations, Michael Barnett, for the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition, which has been instrumental in coordinating this effort. The ITEM Coalition is comprised of over 100 national organizations. Over the past several years the Coalition has led a stakeholder effort to advocate for coverage including preparing and drafting a comprehensive and extensively-sourced National Coverage Determination Reconsideration Request, coordinating support for national disability, rehabilitation, patient, clinician, and industry organizations, garnering support from Members of Congress and Administration officials, and more.