PITTSBURGH & WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tobii Dynavox, the global leader in assistive technology for those with communication disabilities, applauds the passing of the Steve Gleason Act today in the U.S. House of Representatives and the subsequent signing by President Obama in order to become law. The Steve Gleason Act improves Medicare regulations and protects patient access to medically necessary Speech Generating Devices (SGDs) for individuals with communication disabilities, including ALS, cerebral palsy, and Rett syndrome. The bill was introduced by Representatives Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., Erik Paulsen, R-Minn., and Steve Scalise, R-La. and an identical bill was passed in the Senate earlier this year, championed by Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Sen. Angus King (I-Maine).
“Congressional passage and the subsequent signing by President Obama of The Steve Gleason Act is a victory for Medicare patients who rely on assistive technology to communicate with their loved ones and caregivers,” said Tara Rudnicki, the president of Tobii Dynavox’s North American Market Unit. “We look forward to a swift implementation of the legislation to ensure that patients who need this technology are able to have and keep their voices.”
The Steve Gleason Act of 2015
Specifically, this bill aims to protect medically fragile beneficiaries by achieving two goals:
- Removing SGDs from the “Capped Rental” category until October 1, 2018. Effective April 2014, Medicare categorized SGDs as “Capped Rental” which prohibited payments for devices and jeopardized the ability to communicate when patients require hospital, nursing facility or hospice care. Revoking the “Capped Rental” designation gives patients ownership of the SGD and therefore continued access to the device when in a hospital, nursing facility or hospice. Tobii Dynavox will continue to work with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and members of Congress to ensure access after October 1, 2018.
- Ensuring Medicare coverage of eye-tracking technology to access and operate covered SGDs. Over the past year, a large portion of Medicare beneficiaries who rely on eye tracking technology to access their communication devices have been experiencing denials of coverage for the technology. Without the eye-tracking accessory, these patients are unable to use their SGDs. This provision clarifies that SGD-related eye-tracking technology accessories are also covered by Medicare.
Current Tobii Dynavox users include former NFL pro footballer Steve Gleason, for whom this legislation is named, and Boston College Baseball’s Pete Frates, originator of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, both of whom continue to fight for the rights of all individuals with communication disabilities through their advocacy groups, Team Gleason and Team FrateTrain, respectively.
The initial efforts that resulted in the introduction and implementation of the Steve Gleason Act were spearheaded by a coalition representing all stakeholders for SGD access including The National ALS Association, American Speech Hearing-Language Association (ASHA), The Center for Medicare Advocacy, Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA), Team Gleason, Team FrateTrain and Tobii Dynavox.
About Tobii Dynavox
Tobii Dynavox, part of the Tobii Group (STO: TOBII), is the leading provider of touch and eye tracking based assistive technology hardware and software for those with communication and mobility impairments. By harnessing Tobii’s award-winning eye tracking technology, Tobii Dynavox has helped thousands of individuals with disabilities such as aphasia, autism, cerebral palsy, ALS, muscular dystrophy, Rett syndrome and spinal cord injury lead fuller and richer lives. Tobii Dynavox stands at the forefront of assistive technology and special education pushing the boundaries of what is possible for delivering the most advanced, effective and empowering communication and computer access tools available. For more information, please visit www.tobiidynavox.com.
