02/13/2026
Help our industry stand up and take some action. Let's advocate for this technology! ♿️👨🦼
Power Standing- The time has come to open up the Coverage Determination
NCART has worked with the ITEM (Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid) coalition for many years to open the national coverage determination process for both seat elevation and power standing. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) did bifurcate the two products, with seat elevation opening and being approved. This was a great day for Complex Rehab patients who use this incredible product for activities of daily living. WE THANK YOU, CMS.
It has been almost five years since the ITEM Coalition submitted the original application, and we are still in a holding pattern waiting for the opening of the process for power standing. We have met with CMS staff, and they have been very thoughtful and upfront about some of the issues with the realignment of the agency. We appreciate their candid approach, and we look forward to moving forward in 2026 to have our chance to prove the medical necessity of this incredible product.
The medical value of power standing is outside of my expertise, and I would never speak to the clinical or medical value of being able to stand periodically throughout the day. I comment on this from the person who asks individuals who have power-standing equipment how it has changed their life and health. Unequivocally, the answer creates emotional responses that say to me the incredible benefit that power standing has added to their lives. I am an observer in the lives of people who utilize Complex Rehab equipment. I am amazed every day as I hear the stories of how CRT equipment has helped people. This makes me want to advocate harder each day so that those individuals can lead their best lives! We look forward to getting this across the finish line to ensure access for CRT patients every day.
(photo credit: Permobil Americas)
