I am sitting here on the first day of June, thinking of how far we have come in our quest to change Complex Rehab Technology. CRT is a relatively new term, which covers custom configured equipment including ultra light weight wheelchairs, powered mobility and seating and positioning equipment. It is mostly understood that, CRT is not a order and drop equipment, and requires skilled staff to help with the evaluation and assessment, the gathering and submission of paperwork to insurance funding, the ordering, assembly, delivery and fitting of this specialty equipment.
Unfortunately our industry has not done enough to police itself and has a black eye, as it is lumped in with DME. Every month you can see in the news DME suppliers investigated for fraud and abuse. It is unfortunate that instead of CMS doing a better job screening their suppliers, they have placed higher and higher requirements which are negatively affecting the beneficiaries. What CMS/Medicare does, is adopted by all other insurance carriers.
I am excited to tell you at this moment we have 130 House Co-signers and 15 Senators who have Co-Signed on to this Legislation. This is a great start but we need more to make this legislation to be important enough for Congress to move on this.
None of us know if/when we may need these products and services; and there is a real concern that if things do not change, then this industry will certainly change; and possibly disappear.
A friend of mine reminded me that, Orthotics and Prosthetics went through this Journey several years ago, and it took them over a decade to be recognized and have their products/services separated from basic DME and are understood that it takes a special group of people to take care of those with special needs.
Take a moment to sign on to the petition to separate CRT. If you want to be move involved please contact me and I can put you in touch with several groups who are leading the charge to change CRT.
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