Wheelchair repair: Stakeholders work to introduce bill in Iowa
By HME News Staff
Updated 9:38 AM CST, Wed January 17, 2024
DES MOINES, Iowa – Industry stakeholders are working with state Rep. Brian Best to introduce a bill related to insurance coverage for the maintenance and repair of complex rehabilitation technology wheelchairs, according to a MAMES bulletin. Among other things, the bill seeks to provide all definitions such as “complex rehabilitation technology wheelchair,” “qualified complex rehabilitation technology wheelchair supplier” or “qualified supplier” and “qualified complex rehabilitation technology professional”; provide information on service and repair; and, beginning Jan. 1, 2024, require a supplier to provide service and repairs on the wheelchair as requested, except in the circumstances detailed in the bill. The bill also prohibits a third-party payer, as defined, from requiring prior authorization or documentation of continued medical necessity from the supplier to provide service and repairs. Additionally, the bill provides details on a task force that would include CRT suppliers and professionals and that would determine reimbursement rates. MAMES had an opportunity to provide feedback on the legislation prior to it being introduced and will be working through the MAMES IA Insurance Committee to monitor the legislation.
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