The quick read:
- Medicare reduces reimbursement about 35% November 15
- CMS spokesperson Ellen Griffith said “Medicare was paying for the equipment at a much higher rate than what it was being sold for on the market”
- Cara Bachenheimer — vice president of government affairs for Invacare, the largest U.S. manufacturer of power wheelchairs — said, “Most suppliers do not have the kind of margins to sustain these cuts.”
- Jim Greatorex — president of Black Bear Medical, the largest supplier of home medical equipment in the Northeast — said, “These prices are just absurd. This policy change is motivated strictly by saving money and does not take into effect the devastating effect it will have on the consumer, supplier or manufacturer”
No doubt the debate will continue. I guess the thing is that most people that require this type of equipment are not able to work and do not have access to private insurance or resources so I hope this is not a “political he says – she says issue”.
Oh, and by the way, for those unfamiliar with this type of high end medical equipment it would be similar to what keeps world famous Stephen Hawking mobile.
Related Post:
More Bad News For The Powered Wheelchair Industry AND The Powered Wheelchair Consumer
Update October 12 Mobility Industry Predicts Dire Circumstances if Medicare Proceeds with Pay Cuts for Power Wheelchairs The “Seniors” View of the situation.
