| IMPORTANT NOTE: |
The information presented here concerning the CMS
prescribing guidelines for power wheelchairs is as current as
information allows.
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Since there are still issues to be resolved, please check
back with this site for continuing updates.
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| As new information is added, the date at the top will be
changed to reflect the day the information was posted. |
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| Background: The Centers for Medicare/Medicaid
Services (CMS) issued guidelines governing the reimbursement
coverage of power wheelchairs effective October 1, 2005. |
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| These purpose of these guidelines is to
establish the prescribing requirements that physicians must
meet in order for the cost of the chair to be reimbursed by
Medicare or Medicaid. |
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| Status: On December 21, 2005, the
Senate passed a spending bill which included the CMS
Coverage Guidelines for power wheelchair reimbursement. The
President is expected to sign the bill later in the week. |
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| A special provision in the bill stipulates
that the interim regulation on “Face-To-Face” physician
exams will not be effective until April 1, 2006, (please see
“Update” in the box at right). Other provisions of the
coverage guidelines are still effective (see “CMS Coverage
Guidelines” in box at right). |
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UPDATE ON
"FACE-TO-FACE"
PHYSICIAN MEETING WITH PATIENT
REQUIREMENT
To see a summary of the current status
of the "Face-to-Face" physician/patient meeting requirement, please
Click Here
To read an overview of the current CMS Coverage Guidelines in a
printable PDF file, please
Click Here
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