Medicare policies restrict access to Speech and Communication devices

This past August I sent letters to all of Hawaii's Representatives asking them to contact Medicare and investigate the restrictive policies around Speech and Communication devices (read my original letter). Patients with ALS and other severe disabilities are being denied access to the durable medical equipment that is necessary for them to communicate with their caregivers, families and friends. So far, only Representative TULSI GABBARD has responded. Her message to me is below:

Thank you for contacting me about recent policies proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on Medicare beneficiary access to Speech Generating Devices (SGDs) and SGD accessories.  I share your concerns about these policies and have contacted CMS about the problems with their rules.

As you may know, CMS currently covers medically necessary SGDs as part of the Medicare durable medical equipment benefit.  Patients who utilize SGDs include Medicare beneficiaries living with a range of severe neurological and communication disabilities related to conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, brain stem stroke, locked-in syndrome, and traumatic brain injury.

Over the course of the last year, CMS has made significant changes that make patient access to this technology more difficult.  Patients who utilize SGDs are some of Medicare's most vulnerable, and throwing up obstacles to SGDs only serve to make handling these debilitating conditions more painful.  Moreover, because of the prognosis of these patients, access to these communication devices is an immediate concern and many do not have the time to go through a lengthy appeals process.  As a result, I joined with other House colleagues to request information to better understand CMS's rationale and to identify some quick solutions that will address the needs of these patients while maintaining the integrity of the Medicare program.

We cannot take away a patient's only option for communicating with caregivers, friends, and family.  You can be assured I will continue to monitor CMS's consideration of these policies and the availability of SGDs.  Again, mahalo for taking the time to get in touch with me.

Sincerely,

TULSI GABBARD

Member of Congress

 

It's Not too late for you to write to your legislators. Please, take action. Send a message to your representatives asking them to investigate this issue!