Power seat elevation: Race is on to submit comments

WASHINGTON – Complex rehab stakeholders are trying to find the right balance between excitement that a request for Medicare coverage for power seat elevation systems is finally moving forward and disappointment that the same request for power standing systems has been delayed. 

“We have mixed feelings,” said Don Clayback, executive director of NCART.  

CMS on Aug. 15 announced it had opened a 30-day comment period for the request to reconsider the national coverage determination for mobility assistive equipment, but only for power seat elevation systems. 

‘Most immediate need’ 

The race is on to submit as many comments as possible in support of Medicare coverage for power seat elevation systems by a Sept. 14 deadline – what Clayback calls “the most immediate need.” 

“What we need to emphasize to CMS in these comments is, one, they qualify as medical equipment and are not convenience items and, two, they have benefits to users and should be covered,” he said. “We need to keep in mind what will resonate with CMS.” 

The ITEM Coalition, which filed the request in 2020, has created a dedicated website, www.rise4access.org*, to access the link to submit comments, as well as to view educational information and suggested talking points. 

‘Long overdue for coverage’ 

Stakeholders have also updated their champions in Congress that CMS has delayed moving forward with power standing systems and shared their concerns. 

“Our concern is that they will take on power seat elevation systems now and won’t pick up the ball on power standing systems until next year,” Clayback said. “We don’t want to wait until next year. Both of these systems are long overdue for coverage.” 

Stakeholders and their champions are exploring the potential for a sign-on letter or another vehicle to communicate their position to CMS as part of the Virtual CRT Congressional Fly In on Sept. 14. 

What’s next? 

Following the comment period, stakeholders expect CMS to release a proposed decision for power seating elevation in February, open another comment period and then release a final decision in May. 

“You’re talking about another nine months before there is a decision,” Clayback said. “That’s why we need to be looking at power standings systems now, too.”