The item coalition, as well as NRRTS, RESNA, NCART, and
countless other groups and manufacturers have been fighting a battle for the
mobility challenged community. For
years, it has been up to our industry to police itself, and there have always
been a few bad apples that have ruined our system, reducing our credibility and
have forced CMS to take action. As a
long time supplier, I remember the signs “FREE LIFT CHAIR”, which providers
abused until Medicare
blocked the code, and made it difficult for consumers to get these items.
Over the past few years, since powered wheelchairs have become
fashionable and attractive; suppliers had found a loop hole which could be very
lucrative. We have all seen the people
who receive powered wheelchairs, but can still walk. We have also recently witnessed many
providers becoming indicted for billing for this equipment and never providing
it to their patients.
I have repeated over the years, to my congressman, to
organizations, consumers, and professionals; that the only solution is to rid
the industry of its bad apples. The
problem stems from the manufacturers, who see increased demand of their
equipment through outlets who do not offer service, customization, or any choice
to the consumer. If manufacturers
demanded their suppliers were credentialed, and provided adequate service with
the capacity to follow up the product; our industry would be very professional
and respectable. Instead today,
suppliers are looked at as people you cannot trust; and only in it for the
money.
There is a genuine concern about the competitive bidding
program that Medicare is initiating. As
a supplier my concern is that to put something out for bid in an industry which
is already providing (in many cases) substandard equipment; the allowable for
equipment will plummet. Competitive
bidding means that in a community all providers bid their lowest price they can
provide a service for. Since many
suppliers are providing non-US equipment, the price ceiling would most likely be set for
these lower imported products.
The larger picture may be that by providing cheaper products
that will be outsourced to non
US countries,
our Gross National Product declines. To
spend billions of US dollars on healthcare for most of that revenue to be sent
outside the US ,
is not good for our country. Even worse,
is the amount of unemployed, skilled workers from local equipment suppliers, and
from national manufacturers.
Now is the time to get involved, voice your concerns to
legislators; tell them of the importance of local providers who can supply, fit,
repair and customize products. Nothing
in this world is free, when you see these ads for free power wheelchairs, no
cost to you, qualifying people who can still walk- turn them in to
Medicare. We cannot be blind and turn
away as this problem is not going away; and when you need Medicare benefits they
are not going to be there.
This article was provided by Carey Britton, seating and mobility specialist for Active Mobility Center. He can be reached at 954-946-5793 or at cbritton@wheelchairguys.com
This article was provided by Carey Britton, seating and mobility specialist for Active Mobility Center. He can be reached at 954-946-5793 or at cbritton@wheelchairguys.com
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