By Shannon Coe, CFILC’s Reuse & Finance Coordinator It’s alive! The AT Network has resurrected its Repair and Reuse Fund. With a new face lift to the online application, we would like to highlight some of the changes. The most important change is that organizations can now submit up to five devices for repairs each…
By Jorge Ruiz, Assistive Technology Coordinator at the Central Coast Center for Independent Living in Salinas As an assistive technology advocate, I often get requests from consumers on a variety of different pieces of equipment and services. Recently many of our consumers have inquired about funding assistance for basic eye glasses. Of course, before acquiring…
by Allan Friedman, CFILC’s Technologies ManagerCompetitive bidding sounds like a good idea, right? Get the lowest price and the best deal. Save money. What could go wrong?Plenty, especially when it’s Medicare running the process and durable medical equipment (DME) vendors doing the bidding. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Competitive Bidding Program for…
Written by Allan Friedman, CFILC’s Technologies Manager Recently, we unveiled the AT Services Directory, version 6.0 (? I think; I’ve lost count) on the ATnet.org website, and I believe it is the most user friendly version yet. Way back in 1997 (at about the dawn of the Internet age) the AT Services Directory was a…
By Kim Cantrell, CFILC’s Director of Programs Over the past several years private health insurance companies have slowly and steadily reduced durable medical equipment (DME) coverage. If you belong to a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and are not enrolled in Medi-Cal or Medicare, then your DME coverage limits may…
By Shannon Coe, CFILC’s Reuse & Finance Coordinator Does your organization receive donated assistive technology devices? And do the devices only need simple repairs such as new batteries, footrests, wires, tires, etc. to get them working again? But your organization does not have enough funding to repair the devices. You wish there was some money…
Written by Kim Cantrell, CFILC’s Director of Programs A treatment authorization request, otherwise known as a TAR, is a form needed to pre-approve funding for treatment, including Medi-Cal approved assistive technology (AT). The TAR is submitted for Medi-Cal approval before the order is placed and provides medical justification for the AT requested. In almost all…
By Kim Cantrell, CFILC’s Director of Programs Finding funding for AT can be tricky. If you aren’t able to fund the device you want right away, don’t despair. It’s just time to get creative and develop an AT Funding Strategy. You are much more likely to get the device you need if you have a…
All 29 Independent Living Centers in California receive funding for at least one staff member to work on AT advocacy and services coordination. Below is one AT Advocate’s perspective on his role. By Jorge Ruiz, AT Coordinator at the Central Coast Center for Independent Living in Salinas Working at Central Coast Center for Independent Living…
Written by Kim Cantrell, CFILC’s Director of Programs With so many cuts to Medi-Cal and other social service programs, it makes sense that many of us are confused when it comes to Medi-Cal coverage. Lately the AT Network has received many questions from people throughout California who want to know if Medi-Cal still covers hearing…