Skip to main content

VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO

Search GO

Search GO

VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO LEARN ABOUT VGM

Breaking: Titanium/Carbon Fiber Upgrade Bill Introduced in the Senate – S.5154

Published in Government Relations on September 25, 2024

Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced the titanium/carbon fiber wheelchair upgrade bill on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024.

S.5154 aims to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to clarify payment rules for manual wheelchairs under part B of the Medicare program. Currently, if a consumer wants a titanium or carbon fiber manual wheelchair, they must pay for the full cost out of pocket, have their provider file a non-assigned claim on their behalf, and, if approved, wait to receive 80% of the Medicare allowable. This bill is the Senate companion to the identical House bill, H.R.5371 - Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2023.

The CRT industry has amplified their voice recently regarding CRT legislation. Both NCART and AAHomecare have hosted in-person events in Washington, D.C., to encourage support for this and other CRT bills.

Tyler Mahncke, President of U.S. Rehab, reports, “U.S. Rehab has been actively engaged in Washington, D.C., over the past few weeks, collaborating closely with NCART and AAHomecare. Our efforts have focused on educating policymakers about the health benefits and consumer choice associated with upgrading to carbon or titanium base manual chairs. We are thrilled to announce that a bill supporting this initiative has been introduced in the Senate. As a budget-neutral measure that offers significant benefits to consumers, this initiative represents a positive step forward.”

The goal is to pass the bill by the end of the year. Strong support from Senate Finance will be crucial in passing this bill. Please reach out to your Senators today asking them to support S.5154. Click here to send a message directly to your Senator asking them to support this important legislation.

TAGS

From Our Experts

The Return of Competitive Bidding thumbnail

The Return of Competitive Bidding The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) appear to be laying the groundwork for another round of the Competitive Bidding Program (CBP). While full implementation will take a couple of years, an official announcement is expected this summer—potentially as early as July.

Out With The Old RAC, In With The New thumbnail

Out With The Old RAC, In With The New On April 28, 2025, CMS awarded Cotiviti GOV Services LLC, the new RAC Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) Region 3, 4, and 5 contracts. RAC Region 3 includes the following Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) jurisdictions: JJ, JM, and JN. RAC Region 4 includes jurisdictions: JE, JF, and JL. And RAC Region 5 includes jurisdictions: JA, JB, JC, JD, as well as the HH/H MACs: J6, J15, JK, and JM.

Iowa Leads the Charge! All Four Representatives Back H.R. 2005—Will Your State Step Up? thumbnail

Iowa Leads the Charge! All Four Representatives Back H.R. 2005—Will Your State Step Up? At VGM Group, Inc. we have the pleasure of serving our members and partners throughout the country.  One of the many ways we do this is through legislative advocacy, working with our partners to create a more equitable and effective healthcare system. All our VGM units are dedicated to advancing our partners' businesses, streamlining operations, and working every day to enhance reimbursement for the quality in-home healthcare our industry provides all people.

Mike Hamilton Of ADMEA Honored With The Mal Mixon Advocate Award thumbnail

Mike Hamilton Of ADMEA Honored With The Mal Mixon Advocate Award Last week, during the 2025 AAHomecare Washington Legislative Conference, Mike Hamilton, Executive Director of ADMEA, was honored with the prestigious Mal Mixon Advocate Award.

VGM Senior Leaders Engage in Advocacy at AAHomecare Legislative Conference thumbnail

VGM Senior Leaders Engage in Advocacy at AAHomecare Legislative Conference This week, VGM leaders attended the AAHomecare Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., a premier event dedicated to advancing healthcare policy and advocacy. AAHomecare provided attendees with valuable insights, equipping them with key discussion points and strategies for effective meetings with legislators.

Champion of Change: Paula Vineyard of Elana Health & Loop Medical Leads Healthcare Advocacy in West Virginia thumbnail

Champion of Change: Paula Vineyard of Elana Health & Loop Medical Leads Healthcare Advocacy in West Virginia On Thursday, May 8, Paula Vineyard, owner of Elana Health & Loop Medical, took a pivotal step in healthcare advocacy by hosting a meeting with Tyler Ohrn, Field Representative for Congresswoman Carol Miller of West Virginia's First District. The hour-long discussion centered on the pressing need for congressional support of H.R. 2005.

Manufacturer Survey On Tariffs thumbnail

Manufacturer Survey On Tariffs The American Association for Homecare and VGM Group are seeking valuable insights from durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) manufacturers and vendor partners regarding tariffs imposed on certain countries.

Key Payers Denied Your Application Citing Their Network Is Closed – Now What? thumbnail

Key Payers Denied Your Application Citing Their Network Is Closed – Now What? This experience has increasingly become one of the most common questions we receive from our provider members as more and more payers move to narrow their provider networks. The reasons payers seek to narrow their networks are simple. Payers are highly motivated to achieve their goals while doing less work and are not required to allow providers into their networks unless there is a patient access issue. For those of you fortunate enough to be a part of a narrow network, this may not be much of

Be Part of Something Bigger

Become a Member