NRRTS Responds to IG Levinson's Testimony

OIG report on Medicare fraud in wheelchair industry seriously flawed, group says

National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers (NRRTS) says problem is Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ changing policies, used to cover their difficulty regulating the industry at the expense of people with disabilities.

WALSENBURG, Colo. – On July 28, 2011, a disabled man in Arkansas watched congressional testimony about Medicare fraud and abuse in the wheelchair industry after dealing with the process himself. Daniel R. Levinson, the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, was speaking about a recently published OIG report on power wheelchairs. He quoted the report, saying over half of the claims for power wheelchairs did not have all the required documents to demonstrate the individual’s medical needs.

 Executive director of the National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers (NRRTS), Simon Margolis, is standing up to Levinson’s claims and the government’s attack on the Complex Rehabilitation Technology industry which includes the rehabilitative power wheelchair that Levinson addressed. Margolis believes that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are erroneously pointing their fingers at companies, like the ones NRRTS Registrants represent, as the responsible parties for healthcare fraud.

 “The data OIG reported on is four years old,” Margolis states. “It used numbers from the first few months after a major overhaul of Medicare and Medicaid policies and required documentation for power wheelchair claims. Suppliers and physicians were confused as to what was required by CMS as CMS continued to issue multiple clarifications.”

 The organization said that most of the “non sufficient documentation” the report refers to is just clerical errors, like where the date is placed.  “CMS masks their mismanagement with policies that physicians don’t understand,” an unidentified NRRTS board member said. “Meanwhile, they are denying people with disabilities access to the mobility they need to be active, contributing members of society.”

 This left patients like the 60-year-old Arkansan Denny Neff stuck trying to comply with the changing regulations. His doctors certified a power wheelchair was medically necessary, but payment was refused by Medicare. Despite their ruling that he didn’t need it, he was allowed to keep the wheelchair, but is now forced to pay for the repairs and upkeep.

 “I have to pay for a technician to make the six-hour round trip drive to my home in Lavaca from Little Rock. Plus, I pay labor costs and the price of the repair part. I recently had a $206 part break, it ended up costing me over $1,000 to replace it”

 “If the power wheelchair ordered by Neff’s physician had been provided by Medicare,” said Margolis, “the cost of repairs and service would have been included.”

 Margolis worries that without these wheelchairs and the funding and services NRRTS advocates for, many individuals with disabilities like Neff will be restricted to their homes and therefore, lose their jobs and routine interaction with their community. 

 NRRTS supports measures that reduce Medicare fraud and recognize there are people who abuse the system. Margolis says, “Reform should be done in an effective manner and include clear guidelines for physicians, other clinicians and suppliers along with reasonable documentation requirements. “

  ABOUT NRRTS: The National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers (NRRTS) is a professional association supporting individuals who provide Complex Rehab Technology wheelchairs and seated positioning systems for people of all ages and diagnoses who have postural or mobility deficits. These professionals offer quality care and service using specialized knowledge, training, experience and skills to match the consumers' needs to appropriate equipment. NRRTS is a professional association of committed, skilled, experienced individuals who provide Complex Rehab Technology and services to people with significant postural or mobility deficits. This technology includes wheelchairs and seating systems along with other enabling technology.

 MEDIA CONTACT:
Simon Margolis
Executive Director,

National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers (NRRTS)

(763) 494-6774

smargolis@nrrts.org

www.nrrts.org