Tag: speech generating devices
Senate moves to protect access to speech generating devices
April 1, 2015HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - The Senate has included language in its budget resolution that protects patient access to medical necessary speech generating devices, reports Tobii Dynavox, a manufacturer of the devices. The language comes from a bill introduced March 18 by Sen. David Vitter, R-La. A similar bill has already been introduced in the House of Representatives. “The Senate adoption of the budget amendment for speech generating devices is another show of support that we hope will result in full enactment...
Bill carves out speech generating devices
February 25, 2015HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - A bill that seeks to protect access to speech generating devices for Medicare beneficiaries has been introduced.The Steve Gleason Act of 2015 would remove SGDs from the DME capped rental payment category and clarify statutory language to ensure coverage of eye-tracking technology for beneficiaries who need it to operate their devices.H.R. 628 was introduced by Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., Erik Paulsen, R-Minn., and Steve Scalise, R-La.CMS classified SGDs as capped rental items...
Coverage changes for speech generating devices curbs access
November 3, 2014Leah Hoenen
WASHINGTON - A trifecta of moves by Medicare has left manufacturers, clinicians and beneficiaries confused about coverage and threatened access to speech generating devices (SGD).A Sept. 1 coverage reminder from CMS, stating that the devices can be used only for face-to-face conversations, caught industry stakeholders off guard. The effective date for that reminder was pushed back to Dec. 1 after a conversation between Tobii Dynavox President Tara Rudnicki and CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner.“To...