ASHA Commends Congress on Passage of Two Critical Health Initiatives for Medicare Beneficiaries
The
Therapy caps unduly impact the most vulnerable patients, who may have suffered serious medical issues such as a stroke or who may have chronic conditions that require life-altering rehabilitation services. These caps have existed for 20 years, but annual temporary fixes were put into effect to keep them from being implemented in 16 instances. On
"Millions of Medicare beneficiaries can now--finally--breathe a bit easier when it comes to getting access to critical rehabilitation services they require following a serious health episode," said
Also included in the CR is a provision to permanently cover the purchase of speech-generating devices (SGDs) under Medicare, based on the Steve Gleason Enduring Voices Act of 2017. SGDs are highly customized electronic augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices--which are used to supplement or replace speech, allowing people with functional communication impairments to verbally communicate their needs. The largest population of those who need SGDs are individuals with neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS], Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis [MS]). These are conditions where cognitive function and the need for communication is intact, but the physiological ability to speak diminishes. SGDs are the only effective communication means for these people.
Prior to passage of the original bill in 2015, if an SGD user resided in a nursing home, hospice, or hospital, Medicare payment for their SGD stopped because the item needed to be rented rather than purchased. Many of these facilities did not and could not supply beneficiaries with a uniquely customized substitute.
"We deeply appreciate that
Among other key provisions in the CR were an additional 4-year extension to fund the
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