Vision Care and Rehabilitative Services
Issue Overview
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently ruled that low vision devices/assistive technology devices will remain excluded from Medicare coverage. Lighthouse International opposes the CMS decision and urges its repeal. Low vision devices are critical to maintaining independence for people with impaired vision, particularly older adults.
The cost of some low vision devices is prohibitive, especially for older Americans on fixed incomes. Without CMS coverage, an alarming number of people will be at risk for medical complications, accidents and injuries, further straining our over-tapped healthcare system.
Read the full Lighthouse International position statement, here.
Chronic Care Coordination
Issue Overview
As the elderly population rapidly grows in America, the number of health afflictions also increases. Older adults rarely suffer from just one disease or illness; they usually are diagnosed with multiple co-morbidities. For example an adult diagnosed with diabetes may also develop the eye-disease, diabetic retinopathy, and start losing vision, while simultaneously experiencing depression. Traditionally, even though all three of these illnesses are related there are three separate doctors treating them, with little or no coordination between the doctors. A patient ends up with higher medical costs and less than optimum service in this system. If a patient had coordinator managing treatments among multiple doctors and therapists, then the patient will receive more efficient and improved medical care, as well as paying lower costs.
Current Legislation
Geriatric Assessment and Chronic Coordination Act (HR 2244/S 1340) This legislation, in front of the House and the Senate, aims to improve Medicare benefits for older Americans with multiple chronic conditions and will also reduce the total amount spent by Medicare by improving the efficiency of the care. The bill provides a comprehensive geriatric assessment and coordinated care for Medicare patients who have multiple chronic conditions and whose medical costs are in the top 10% of all Medicare beneficiaries.
For more details on the bill, including bill text, recent legislative action and list of sponsors, click here.
Vision Screening for Children
Issue Overview
Early detection of vision problems for infants and young children is an important priority for Lighthouse International. However, there is a large gap between prevalence of early screenings for children and the prevalence of eye diseases for children. When screenings do take place and a possible problem is discovered, follow-up examinations to determine if treatment or care is necessary are far too often disregarded.
All children, regardless of prior history of vision troubles, should undergo vision screenings and eye examinations regularly. If a routine screening indicates possible vision problems, a follow-up examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist is necessary to determine what course of treatment, if any, should be taken.
Current Legislation
Vision Care for Kids Act (HR 507/S 1117)
This proposed Federal legislation would allow the federal government to award grants to states that the states can apply towards existing programs that promote three aspects of child vision care: detection, rehabilitation and education.
For more details on the bill, including bill text, recent legislative action and list of sponsors, click here.
Read about other policy issues: