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Madonna Long

http://www.chloemagazine.com


Country: United States

Language: English

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Changing the World one Spin at a Time  

Madonna is a consumer advocate who works on issues concerning mobility. She will post important information on her blog keeping you informed on the issues on Capital Hill that she is working on.

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    Date / Time:

    Medicare and taking away your Parts or Services to Power wheelchairs/Oxygen limits

    Have yo ever just wondered, Oh My God who is in Charge??? I think I was wondering that on my return from the Capital this week. The issues are simple, the fix is simple, although our government and the process is none of the above.
     
    What if you were on oxygen, you had medicare for your insurance. Are you feeling safe and warm and fuzzy. Well the fuzzy is the only feeling you better be counting on. Because you only get that oxygen paid for by medicare for 36 months. Oh, I hope you don't need it after that. Is oxygen needed for Life?? Duh.
     
    So what is the real deal on the oxygen issue. A provider, you know those guys that bring this prescribed item to your house so you can breath.  The DME or respiratory providers are required to after 36 months to give that oxygen to you for free. If you move on the 35th month or transfer to another area, you will not find a provider to provide you with that Oxygen.  Why?  Because they do not get paid for it, they cannot afford to give you free supplies and services that they were not previously paid for.. That would be like you going to Walmart Pharmacy and you are a diabetic.  You go to your pharmacist and you need your supplies and your medication , then  after 36 months, Medicare (CMS) demands  Walmart, "Ok Sam you are giving it away free"!! Now what do  you think Walmart would say. Ya, same thing I thought.. "Not happening"!So why is CMS forcing the DME industry to do this very thing? I got your attention now, right?  Ok, then lets get working on the facts.
     
    So why is it that CMS would do this to your provider who might not be able to help you down the road?  Cause this is real folks.  My friend Joked the other day about the CMS letters, he said. "C customers M most likely S screwed". I laughed and then thought "wow about close to the truth". 
      Sunday, February 15, 2009
    CMS would save by paying for the oxygen, because these people are in their homes. If someone runs past the 36 months or moves, they will probably go to the hospital at that time. One day in the hospital pays for a year of home oxygen.  What a mess...
     
    Your Power Wheelchairs:
     
    What would you do without someone knowledgeable to fix your power wheelchair? Can you fix it?
     
    Well, the issue here is no more 9.5% cut to complex power wheelchairs parts or services. DME providers cannot take a cut again. They took a cut prior to MIPPA ( the medicare improvements patient and provider act) that was passed this past July.  Congress eliminated the complex power wheelchairs from Competitive bidding delay, and there needs to action from the Disability community on a parallel exemption to the 9.5 % cut to complex power wheelchairs.
     
    This is not about the Providers, it will affect access and mobility for those who require a complex power wheelchair. Call your member of congress, or write to them.
    If you have any questions. Email me here...
     
    Ask them to do 2 things.  www.house.gov or www.senate.gov
     
     
     
    Dear Member or Congress:
     
    Please don't limit my ability to stay mobile, I am a person with a disability.  I need my power wheelchair for my health and my independence.
     
    Please enact a parallel exemption for Complex Power wheelchairs from the 9.5% reduction in MIPPA.
     
    Please Suspend Competitive bidding, My ability to keep my current provider or in the future change of my own free choice for a new provider will be in jeopardy.  I will not have the ability to choose and I think that I know my disability as well as  my doctor to pick who will help me with my products for my mobility.
     
    Many organizations support this issue. AAPD (American Association of People with Disabilities), APRIL (Association  Rural Independent Living Centers
     
     
    Sincerely,
     
    Your Name, Your Address
     
    Re: Our concern with “The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers
    Act,” (MIPPA) of 2008, passed on July 15, 2008, PL 110-275
    PL 110-275: Includes a 9.5% payment reduction for all products included in the
    competitive bidding program -- Complex Rehabilitation power wheelchairs and
    related accessories were exempt from competitive bidding and we request
    consideration for a parallel exemption of this product category from the 9.5%
    payment reduction.
     

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