Medicare policy would restrict people's mobility: Daily Chronicle - Opinions

A new, damaging Medicare policy is about to go into effect, largely unnoticed. It will restrict the mobility and independence of people with disabilities in our community, by restricting coverage of power mobility devices.

Many people with multiple sclerosis, spinal injuries, cerebral palsy - even paralyzed veterans - rely on wheelchairs, scooters and other devices to get out of the house, go to work, run errands and simply enjoy life.

The new Medicare restrictions do not take physicians' recommendations for appropriate mobility devices into consideration; instead, they arbitrarily place people with disabilities into lower-quality, more poorly performing mobility devices. The new guidelines do not factor in the effects of disease progression, and it is likely they could result in a person receiving a device that actually exacerbates a person's symptoms. In addition, they significantly reduce reimbursement across all devices, which will severely limit availability even if someone is eligible.

This reverses rehabilitation and limits quality of life - not to mention increasing the burden on caregivers and discouraging manufacturers from providing more-advanced technologies.

When this policy goes into effect on Nov. 15, people with MS and other disabilities in our community will lose their mobility and independence. It's time to move for those who cannot. By calling your local legislators today, you're helping ensure that the people in your community who need power mobility devices will retain their independence.

JACKIE GUTHRIE

Advocacy and outreach manager

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Greater Illinois Chapter

Chicago