Tenn. CRT bill heads to governor's desk

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee State Legislature has enacted legislation to create a “separate benefit” category for complex rehab technology.

HB 647, which is headed to Gov. Bill Lee to sign, will ensure that CRT products receive separate consideration when state Medicaid authorities propose adjustments to reimbursement rates or other regulatory changes.

“CRT products are designed to meet the unique needs of individuals with disabilities and profound healthcare challenges, supporting positive health outcomes and providing the independence and self sufficiency that would otherwise be challenging or impossible,” said Bill Mixon, CEO of National Seating & Mobility, in a bulletin from AAHomecare. “Thanks to this legislation, the individuals and caregivers who depend on CRT can be assured that any budgetary or reimbursement changes covering these essential products will get the special deliberation they deserve.”

The legislation was affirmed by a 30-0 margin in the Senate; and a 94-0 vote in the House.

Six states have recognized CRT as a separate benefit and efforts are currently underway in in New York. Those efforts got a boost recently when AAHomecare retained Bridge Public Affairs to support efforts.

With a growing number of individuals served by Medicaid programs nationwide, it is increasingly important for the CRT community to work with state legislators and healthcare agencies to ensure sustainable reimbursement rates and sound regulatory policies,” remarked Tom Ryan, AAHomecare president & CEO. “We need to make sure that state policymakers everywhere understand that CRT improves quality of life and clinical outcomes for Medicaid patients, while also saving money by reducing costly hospitalizations, as well as lessening the need for nursing home care and other inpatient stays.”