Powers Director of Government Relations, Joe Nahra, recently guested on the American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association’s (AMRPA) Medical Rehab Matters podcast. In this episode, on “Seat Elevation Coverage,” speakers discussed a proposal by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to cover seat elevation systems in power wheelchairs. Ali Ingersoll, a disability advocate and Ms. Wheelchair America 2023, also joined the podcast to share her experience using seat elevation.
Through the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition, Powers has led a multi-year effort to advance Medicare coverage of these critical systems for wheelchair users with significant mobility disabilities. Currently, Medicare is accepting public comments in support of a proposed decision to cover these systems for qualifying beneficiaries in a major win for the disability community. To share your voice, please visit www.Rise4Access.org.
Powers has operated the ITEM Coalition for the last 20 years to advance coverage of and raise awareness about assistive devices, technologies, and related services for people with disabilities and chronic conditions of all ages. The ITEM Coalition’s advocacy efforts target barriers to access to necessary devices and technologies under Medicare, Medicaid, and other programs, and build support for legislative and regulatory solutions to ensure all people with disabilities can access the technology they need to live healthy, functional, and independent lives. Joe is a Co-Coordinator of the ITEM Coalition with Peter Thomas, Powers’ Managing Partner.
Listen to the podcast episode here: Medical Rehab Matters Podcast (amrpa.org)