On Mon, Mar 24, 2014 at 9:53 AM, Hill, Katharine Joan <xxxxxx@pitt.edu> wrote:

I would like to encourage everyone on the list to sign the petition requesting the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to remove SGDs from the capped rental rule.  This rule starts on April 1^st and creates a 13 month rental period before individuals with ALS will own their  selected SGD.  If at any time during these 13 months the person enters a hospital, rehab facility, SNF or starts hospice, the rented SGD is removed with the expectation that the health care facility will provide the DME.   Once discharged the assessment and a new rental period must be started to have SGD access.  

 

You can see a video presented by Chris Klein, President of USSAAC created with the support of the AAC Institute and sign the petition at Change.org by clicking http://chn.ge/1pfl67f .  For updates on what you can do join the AAC Institute on Facebook or go to www.aacinstitute.org and click on Speak out against CMS capped rental rule.

 

Please, consider sharing with all those impacted by the CMS capped rental rule.  Although professionals’ funding will not be changed, the capped rental rule has a dramatic impact on ownership of a personal SGD and therefore quality of life for those we serve.  If clinical professionals are petitioning to repeal the therapy cap rule which significantly impacts CMS funding, then professionals are obligated to support requesting SGD removal from DME capped rental. 

 

Thank you for your consideration and willingness to take action in solidarity with Medicare beneficiaries.   

 

Katya

 

Katya Hill, PhD, CCC-SLP

Associate Professor

AAC Performance and Testing Teaching Lab

6017 Forbes Tower

University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA 15260