WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) have called on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to extend Medicare coverage to include standing systems embedded in power wheelchairs. This bipartisan initiative aims to help Americans with disabilities gain greater mobility and lead healthier, more independent lives.
In a letter to CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, the Senators highlighted the significant benefits of standing systems. These systems enable users to achieve a standing position, which can enhance independence, improve metabolic functions, and reduce the risk of complications such as pressure sores and osteoporosis. The absence of Medicare coverage for these systems currently forces beneficiaries to pay out of pocket, limiting access to this critical technology.
The letter reads: “These [standing] systems enable users to achieve a standing position, which can greatly enhance their independence, improve metabolic functions, reduce the risk of secondary complications, such as pressure sores and osteoporosis, and improve their overall physical and mental well-being. The absence of Medicare coverage for these systems leaves many beneficiaries without access to critical technology that can significantly improve their health outcomes and quality of life.”
The Senators’ request follows a successful push last year that led CMS to provide Medicare coverage for seated elevation systems in power wheelchairs. The Senators argue that including standing systems in Medicare coverage is a logical and necessary next step to address the comprehensive needs of individuals with severe disabilities.
Currently, Medicare beneficiaries with disabilities must either bear the full cost of standing systems or go without, which can severely impact their quality of life. The Senators emphasized the importance of standing systems in enabling users to independently conduct mobility-related activities of daily living.
In their letter, the Senators urged CMS to promptly initiate a National Coverage Analysis (NCA) for standing systems in Group 3 power wheelchairs. They argued that the substantial evidence supporting the medical necessity and benefits of these systems warrants their inclusion under Medicare coverage.
The letter also acknowledges CMS’s previous decision to cover seat elevation systems, calling it a significant step forward. However, the Senators stressed that omitting standing systems leaves a gap in coverage that must be addressed to fully meet the needs of Medicare beneficiaries.
Senators Duckworth, Blackburn, and Casey expressed their appreciation for CMS’s commitment to enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities through thoughtful policy decisions. They emphasized that opening an NCA for standing systems would align with this commitment by providing equitable access to vital rehabilitative technology.
The letter concludes with a call for swift action to include standing systems under Medicare coverage, thereby improving the health and independence of Medicare beneficiaries who rely on advanced wheelchair features.
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