Cuts in Medicare prices reduce access

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Manufacturers and suppliers of mobility equipment warned that cuts in Medicare payments would limit the equipment's availability to Medicare beneficiaries.

The reduced reimbursement payments, ranging from 21 percent to 41 percent, were announced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The new payment schedule would be effective Nov. 15.

Manufacturers, responding to the announcement, said in a news release they would be forced to lay off workers and possibly close their businesses.

As Americans age, the demand for power wheelchairs and scooters has risen, industry officials said. CMS reported a 2,700 percent increase in power mobility equipment over the past eight years, industry officials said.