United States – October 17, 2026 -- The ITEM Coalition, a bloc of 103 national organizations, has named Medicare coverage of standing systems in Group 3 power wheelchairs its top priority heading into 2027, after waiting six years for CMS to open a National Coverage Analysis.
Medicare's coverage gap leaves beneficiaries paying out of pocket
Medicare does not cover standing systems for Group 3 power wheelchairs, according to ITEM Coalition co-coordinator Michael Barnett. Beneficiaries with significant mobility impairments either bear substantial out-of-pocket costs or go without the technology. The coalition has a National Coverage Determination reconsideration request pending and says CMS is "well past time" to act.
Coverage, coding and payment hurdles persist after market launch
Co-coordinator Peter Thomas said access does not end when a device reaches the market. Complex coverage, coding, payment and administrative barriers can block patients from obtaining technologies their clinicians consider medically necessary. The barriers weigh most heavily on people with disabilities and on those who rely on Medicare or Medicaid.
Coalition founded in 2003 targets federal policy barriers
The Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition was created in 2003. Its six-member Steering Committee includes the Amputee Coalition, ALS Association, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, Spina Bifida Association, Team Gleason and United Spinal Association.
The group monitors legislation and regulations, engages Congress and federal agencies, and files coalition comments on coverage, coding and payment policy.
Coalition seeks long-term manufacturer partnerships
Thomas said the most productive collaborations unite patient groups, clinicians, manufacturers and suppliers around a specific access challenge. He added that the strongest partnerships are long-term and built on trust rather than formed around a single legislative or regulatory issue.
The comments came in AdvaMed's Partners in Patient Care Q&A series.