August 3, 2017 CRT Stakeholders and Friends, Representatives Lee Zeldin (R-NY) and John Larson (D-CT) will be introducing legislation in September to stop CMS' application of Medicare Competitive Bid pricing to accessories used with CRT manual wheelchairs. This will replace the previously introduced broader bill, H.R. 1361, written to prohibit CMS from using Competitive Bid pricing for accessories used with either CRT power or CRT manual wheelchairs. The CRT "power" wheelchair accessories issue was resolved in late June when CMS announced a policy clarification stating it would not use Competitive Bid pricing for accessories used with Group 3 CRT power wheelchairs. We again thank CMS and Congress for that needed action. Unfortunately, the clarification did not extend to accessories used with CRT "manual" wheelchairs so this follow up legislation is required. Passage of this new bill is needed to fix the current disparity that prevents people who use a CRT manual wheelchair from having the same access to CRT accessories as those using a CRT power wheelchair. The new legislative language can be viewed here. During the August recess Representatives Zeldin and Larson are seeking additional House members to join in the September introduction. You can see the list of members who have already agreed to be an original cosponsor here. If your Representative is not on the list, please reach out and ask him/her to sign on by contacting either office. Use the Issue Paper available here to make your request. Thanks for your continued engagement and we'll keep you updated on the progress. Regards, Don Donald E. Clayback Executive Director | NCART Office 716-839-9728 | Cell 716-913-4754 [email protected] | www.ncart.us P.S. If you'd like to stay updated on CRT news, join our mailing list here!