CRT Advocacy

Ask Your Legislators to Support Legislation to Strengthen Consumer Access to Titanium and Carbon Fiber Wheelchairs

A newly-introduced House and Senate bills will allow more individuals to take advantage of ultralight manual wheelchairs constructed with with titanium or carbon fiber materials

Legislation to allow Medicare beneficiaries greater access to titanium or carbon fiber wheelchairs has been reintroduced introduced in the 119th Congress  – and we are calling on mobility suppliers and stakeholders to build support for the new bills.

NEW: House Bill Introduced
On February 27, Reps. John Joyce (R-PA) and Vern Buchanan (R-FL) have introduced companion legislation to the Senate carbon/titanium upgrade bill.  As in the Senate legislation introduced in January (see below), H.R. 1703 creates two new HCPCS codes for Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) manual wheelchairs and allowing for an upgrade within a code.

Senate Legislation
On Jan. 24, 2025, Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced legislation that would improve access to titanium and carbon fiber wheelchairs for Medicare beneficiaries. The Choices in Mobility Act, S.247, creates two new HCPCS codes for Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) manual wheelchairs and allows for an upgrade within a code.

Take Action to Build Support for H.R. 1703 and S. 247
Mobility and CRT suppliers are encouraged to reach out now to their Senators and Representative and ask them to co-sponsor and support this the new legislation. We need to make a strong impression on members of Congress and their healthcare staff to move this legislation forward.

Who to Contact – If you don't already have a relationship with your legislators' staff, call their DC offices and ask for the name and email of the staffer who handles healthcare issues.

Main Messages - Please put these ideas in your own words for maximum impact:

  • H.R. 1703 and S. 247 are bills that would allow individuals with mobility challenges better access to titanium and carbon fiber wheelchairs for Medicare beneficiaries, and would also improve access for individuals covered under plans that follow Medicare policy and coding. 
  • Access to lightweight carbon fiber and titanium wheelchairs will allow individuals who require this technology the choice of wheelchair that is best suited for their medical, functional, and lifestyle needs and preferences.
  • Enacting this legislation will not increase costs for Medicare program. It streamlines the claims and payment process for these upgrades, to the benefit of patients, suppliers, and Medicare billing staff.
  • Please co-sponsor this bill and work with leadership to enact H.R. 1703 (House) and S. 247 (Senate) this year.

Include Your Experiences – Talk about your company's work supporting patients who use wheelchairs and the potential benefits and improved quality of life that titanium and carbon fiber wheelchairs provide.

Pre-drafted Message Available
While direct contact with Senators’ and Representative’s healthcare staff makes the strongest impression, you can also send a pre-drafted message asking your legislators to support the carbon fiber/titanium upgrade bills using our Voter Voice advocacy tool. Please edit the letter there to include your perspectives on how increasing access to titanium and carbon fiber wheelchairs will improve the lives of the patients you serve.

Additional Contact and Messaging Assistance is Available
Please contact Gordon Barnes at gordonb@aahomecare.org for assistance finding contact info for Senators' healthcare staffers, help in drafting your email, or responding to any questions/comments you get from staffers.

Resources