Note: These changes to Medicare are not ONLY affecting Speech Generating Devices. They affect complex seating and positioning for power wheelchairs and many, many other items that are medically necessary. And NO, it has nothing to do with Obama Care! Please read the carefully worded, but MISLEADING, statements from a Medicare spokesperson, who CLEARLY has no idea how the changes in April have held our most vulnerable individuals in society hostage by their cost cutting games. PLEASE! If you have a loved one who is using or has ever used speech generating technologies, please call 1-800-MEDICARE to lodge a complaint. Do NOT be silent! Note: We are not asking Medicare to pay for these items. They never have. Consumers paid out-of-pocket to unlock and upgrade. Now Medicare is not allowing unlocking or upgrades. Read the rest of the story. (copied from the Hope-JG Foundation Blog) Why Would Medicare Lie to the American Public Rather Than Defend Its Position? At 8:02 PM last evening, the Washington Post posted online a wonderfully written Op-Ed piece by former NFL star Steve Gleason. washingtonpost/national/health-science/former-nfl-player-with-als-uses-his-eyes-to-type-and-technology-to-speak/2014/08/29/0de480ac-2d1e-11e4-9b98-848790384093_story.html At 8:10 PM, the paper posted the following, carefully worded statement from Medicare spokesperson Aaron Albright “We are committed to ensure that beneficiaries have access to needed technologies to improve their quality of life, including the coverage of speech-generating devices for individuals with a severe speech impairment. Medicare has covered speech-generating devices since 2001, which greatly improve the day-to-day lives of many beneficiaries. This policy has not changed, nor have we proposed this coverage to change. With the rapidly evolving technology in this area, our Medicare payment contractors are currently undergoing a product review of available speech-generating devices to ensure that they comply with our coverage rules and the Medicare law. CMS extended this review until Dec. 1, 2014 to ensure that we [are] able to review and address issues that stakeholders have ... raised, including the ALS community’s desire for beneficiaries to have access to devices with expanded functionality.” The reaction on social media has been growing exponentially as disability rights advocates, the afflicted and their families wake to this news. Advocates and manufacturers as well as members of Congress have been flooding The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) with letters of reaction to a Coverage Reminder CMS issued on 2/27/14 specific to Speech Generating Devices (SGDs). The Coverage Reminder states, in part, that: This benefit does not extend coverage to the broader range of augmentative and alternative communications devices (AAC) that have capabilities exceeding the sole function(s) of speech generation such as (not all-inclusive): wireless and cellular communication capabilities, environmental control capability, non-speech generating software (e.g., games, word processing, email). Essentially, the only type of SGD Medicare will allow is one which can only perform communication to those within range of hearing. Dont take my word for it, here is the text of the actual CMS reminder: cgsmedicare/jc/pubs/news/2014/0214/cope24807.html The more important point here is: Why did Medicare choose to release this carefully worded and somewhat obtuse statement rather than defend its position as outlined in the 2/27 Coverage Reminder? CMS is dodging the issue, not responding in detail to the public, advocacy groups and even Congress. In his statement, Mr. Albright states: This policy has not changed, nor have we proposed this coverage to change. As with any lie, there is a grain of truth. Mr. Albright, its the changes in administration of the rules we are concerned about. As you wrote this statement, you knew people were being denied devices. You knew that CMS was changing the administration of the rules to deny paralyzed people eye gaze equipment to access the functionality of SGDs. Why lie? Why not say: Were changing the playing field because its an attempt to shift costs to beneficiaries.? or even We dont believe that disabled people need internet access. Mr. Albright, your boss, Ms. Tavenner has chosen to ignore my letter to her (hope-jg.blogspot/2014/08/an-open-letter-to-marilyn-tavenner.html). I know, shes ignored the pleas of housands to at least explain herself. Ill give you the same opportunity. I can be reached through this blog or at: jgregoire7@roadrunner. Id love to hear why CMS is dodging this issue and using you to perpetuate an outright lie to the most vulnerable among us.
Posted on: Fri, 05 Sep 2014 12:17:33 +0000
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