Just passing this along for those who are interested.
American Foundation for the Blind logo: Expanding possibilities for people with
vision loss. AFB DirectConnect - 1660 L Street, NW, Suite 513, Washington, DC
20036, Tel 202-469-6831, www.afb.org<http://www.afb.org>
You're Invited!
RESOLVED--Medicare Should Pay for Low Vision Devices:
Views Through Different Lenses
A national teleseminar hosted by the
American Foundation for the Blind
&
21st Century Agenda on Aging and Vision Loss
***Sponsored by VFO***
VFO Logo: VFO, Innovating in Accessibility
Wednesday, October 4, 2017, 3pm Eastern
To join the call:
Dial: 1 (866) 939-3921
Enter code: 45490371
For further information, contact:
Mark Richert, Esq.
Director, Public Policy, AFB
(202) 469-6833
MRichert@xxxxxxx<mailto:MRichert@xxxxxxx>
So, what's the problem?
For decades, the vision loss community has argued that our nation's public
health care systems, particularly Medicare and Medicaid, are failing people who
are blind or visually impaired because of their stark lack of comprehensive
coverage for vision rehabilitation services and devices. Particularly with
respect to low vision aids, the door to coverage, which had only been left
standing slightly ajar for years, was slammed shut in 2008 with the publication
of final rules by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) which
currently bar any coverage for devices that incorporate a lens. CMS's stated
rationale for this sweeping restriction has been that devices incorporating a
lens are not unlike eye glasses and contacts for which Congress has not
authorized any meaningful coverage.
So, let's change the law and get Medicare to pay for low vision devices, right?
Not so fast!
While consumer advocates in the vision loss community (including AFB) are among
the loudest voices calling for Medicare to assess the fiscal impact of
permanent Medicare coverage for low vision devices through a congressionally
mandated demonstration project, still other passionate professionals are
vocalizing reservations. These prominent advocates in their own right are
worried about the unforeseeable impact that CMS's meddling in the low vision
device market may have on device cost, corporate profit and ultimately on the
out-of-pocket burden on consumers who purchase devices outside of the Medicare
system. Likewise, a chorus of concerned physicians and other conscientious
practitioners are worried that the indiscriminate availability of low vision
devices through Medicare has the untenable potential both to place
inappropriate, and therefore possibly risky, devices in the hands of
unsuspecting consumers and to tempt unscrupulous providers into pushing the
priciest equipment irrespective of consumer need.
Nevertheless, proponents of Medicare coverage for low vision devices and other
assistive technologies argue that CMS's willingness to authorize payment for
rehabilitative devices and services to address a host of disabling conditions
but not for vision loss is a discriminatory practice and a fundamental inequity
in our national approach to public health. Moreover, these advocates contend
that any wasteful or inappropriate payment for devices which might result from
permanent coverage of low vision aids relates to systemic challenges inherent
in the national administration of the Medicare program itself and should not be
an excuse to keep devices out of the hands of Medicare beneficiaries with
vision loss who clearly need them.
So, let's Talk!
With the generous sponsorship of our friends at VFO™, a global company
innovating in accessibility, you are invited to join in a national dialogue and
debate about these issues and to assess whether and how Medicare should pay for
low vision devices and potentially other assistive technologies.
On Wednesday afternoon, October 4, at 3pm Eastern, join in a lively discussion
with a panel of experts and advocates from across the spectrum of concerns
about permanent Medicare coverage for low vision devices. These prominent
panelists are coming from the ophthalmic, optometric, low vision, assistive
technology, frontline blindness field practitioner, public and private service
provider agency, consumer and related communities. Hear what they have to say,
assess for yourself whether you agree with their diverse perspectives, and
engage with them interactively to make your own case and learn how you can
contribute effectively in the shared goal of getting appropriate and affordable
equipment and training into the hands of every person with vision loss who may
need it.
So how do I join the fray?
To join this free 90-minute national teleseminar by phone--
Dial: 1 (866) 939-3921
Enter code: 45490371
Please call in a few minutes prior to the prompt 3pm Eastern start time on
Wednesday, October 4. And please share this announcement and open invitation
far and wide via your own networks. It is our hope that this friendly but frank
conversation will help the vision loss community further develop an actionable
consensus for achieving systems change toward a world with no limits for people
who are blind or visually impaired. We look forward to your participation!
--
David Goldfield, Assistive Technology Specialist Feel free to visit my Web site
WWW.DavidGoldfield.Info<http://WWW.DavidGoldfield.Info>
