By Aimee Sterk, LMSW, MATP
There are a couple options to help you advocate for your needs for assistive technology (AT) or durable medical equipment (DME) in Michigan.
If you have a MI Health Link Plan (a combination of Medicare and Medicaid) the MI Health Link Ombudsman Program is here to help you access the DME you need if you have been denied coverage or are having trouble getting what you need. Call them directly—lawyers answer all the calls and are ready to help—at 888-746-6456.
If you need help getting AT or DME through your school system, community mental health, Medicare, Medicaid, or Michigan Rehabilitation Services (if employment related), contact Michigan Protection and Advocacy Services’ AT team at 800-288-5923.
The following is from Justice In Aging—please share your stories about trouble getting durable medical equipment (DME) from Medicare and Medicaid. Also share your ideas on fixing the access problems. The deadline is August 23.
Consumers with both Medicare and Medicaid face recurring problems getting approval for Durable Medical Equipment (DME), getting repairs, and finding reliable suppliers. DME includes many vital items, such as wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, home oxygen equipment, and even diabetes test strips used with a glucose monitor. After dialogue with advocates about these problems, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued a Request for Information seeking more information about problems accessing these vital forms of equipment.
This is a very important opportunity to tell CMS what isn’t working and to improve access to DME. Please consider commenting and share this opportunity with others, both advocates and consumers, who can provide input to CMS.
The deadline for comments is August 23.
CMS noted some of the obstacles facing dual eligibles in getting access to DME including:
- Conflicting DME approval processes for Medicare and Medicaid
- DME access problems for people who have Medicaid first and then become eligible for Medicare
- Getting coverage for repairs, particularly getting Medicare coverage for an item originally obtained through Medicaid
- Differences between Medicare and Medicaid approved suppliers (many providers are approved for one program, but not the other)
The agency asked for examples of these problems, as well as suggestions for legislative and administrative measures that could remedy the issue.
The full list of CMS questions is here. It is very open-ended. We hope that policy advocates will talk about trends they see and specific policy changes that would help. We also hope that consumers who can recount first hand problems will respond (but since comments are public – please don’t include personal information such as a Medicare number).
File your comments on Regulations.gov. Directions on how to file are found here. It is simple. Comments can be short or long and do not need to be formal.
Please take advantage of this chance to help make DME more accessible to dual eligible beneficiaries!
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Meet Jaylen: 17-years old, 2016 graduate of Southwestern Academy, attending Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. this summer majoring in management and marketing, future Gallaudet Bison baseball player, and he’s Deaf. In a society where people like to attach labels and stereotypes, Jaylen has many labels – each label shapes him, but no single one defines him. He visited The Disability Network to meet with Carrie Baugher, Assistive Technology Professional, to try out a variety of items that could benefit him while away at college from the Michigan Assistive Technology Program’s “small changes, Big Differences” kit. Classes will no longer be at 7:25 a.m. Monday through Friday like his high school classes. His class schedule will change throughout the day. A barrier existed in alerting him in waking up in the morning and alerting him throughout the day when he needs to go to class. The solution? Jaylen will use a vibrating alarm clock to wake up each morning and use the alarm clock’s strobe light adaptation during the afternoon to alert him when he needs to leave for class. Obstacles? Pfft. There are zero obstacles that can’t be overcome. Everything is achievable – ask Jaylen!
Reduced Registration Fees and Free Parking. The Michigan Secretary of State offers reduced registration fees for….”a van owned by a wheelchair user or by a person who transports a member of his or her household who uses a wheelchair is eligible for a 50 percent reduction in the standard annual registration fee (additional service fees, such as those for personalizing the plate or for purchasing and renewing a fundraising version, are excluded from the discount). The van is not required to have wheelchair lift equipment. It can be a full-size window van, such as a Ford Econoline or Chevy Express, or a minivan, such as a Dodge Caravan or Toyota Sienna”. You may also be able to obtain a yellow sticker that entitles you to free parking at meters, in parking lots/garages, etc. if your disability prevents you from accessing meters and toll booths. To qualify, the person with a disability must be a licensed driver and a physician must complete part 3 on the application for a disability parking placard or disability parking plate