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UPDATE: THIS FILE LAST EDITED 1-2005

Medicare

AT ABCs

- AT = ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

A PUBLICATION FROM THE...

SIGHT LOSS

INFORMATION

DETECTIVE

.....ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

SHOULD THE READER WANT TO SUGGEST ANY ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS FOR THIS BULLETIN, PLEASE SEND YOUR IDEAS - GO TO LINK, SEND A MESSAGE, NEAR THE TOP OF THIS WEBPAGE.

NOTE: THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED AS AN ENDORSEMENT OR RECOMMENDATION, AND IS PRESENTED SIMPLY AS A CONVENIENCE TO THE READER. BECAUSE OF THE CHANGING AVAILABILITY OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, THE COMPLETENESS OF THIS LISTING IS NOT GUARANTEED.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS BEING OFFERED AS A PUBLIC SERVICE FOR ANYONE INTERESTED IN THE USE OF:

1. CLOSED-CIRCUIT TELEVISION (CCTV)

- ALSO KNOWN AS AN ELECTRONIC MAGNIFIER

2. OPTICAL CHARACTER READER (OCR)

- ALSO KNOWN AS A READING APPLIANCE

UNDER CURRENT FEDERAL REGULATIONS (MEDICARE DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT REGIONAL CARRIERS MANUAL) ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICES ARE NOT A DEFINED CLASS AND COVERAGE IS DETERMINED ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.

SUBSEQUENTLY, A MEDICARE-COVERAGE REQUEST TO A PHYSICIAN FOR EITHER A CCTV ELECTRONIC MAGNIFIER OR OCR READING APPLIANCE IS ROUTINELY DENIED BY:

1. HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION (HMO)

2. CENTER FOR HEALTH DISPUTE RESOLUTION (CHDR)

WHEN THE CHDR-DENIAL IS RECEIVED IT EXPLAINS HOW TO ASK FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE (ALJ) MEDICARE APPEAL HEARING. AFTER RECEIPT OF AN ALJ-HEARING NOTIFICATION, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE DISABLED MEDICARE CUSTOMER OBTAIN PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE. SPECIFICALLY, FREE LEGAL SERVICES FOR AN ALJ HEARING MAY BE AVAILABLE FROM THEIR LOCAL AFFILIATE OF:

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF

PROTECTION & ADVOCACY SYSTEMS

1-202-408-9514

ALSO, SEE LISTING BELOW FOR OTHER DISABILITY RESOURCES:

MEDICARE BENEFITS CENTER

U.S. HEALTH CARE FINANCING ADMINISTRATION

1-800-638-6833

MEDICARE DISCRIMINATION ASSISTANCE

OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

1-800-368-1019

SOCIAL SECURITY INFORMATION CENTER

U.S. SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

1-800-772-1213

ASSISTIVE DEVICES INFORMATION:

TECHNOLOGY ACCESS FOR LIFE NEEDS (TALN)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

1-703-524-6686

REGIONAL ADA RESOURCE CENTERS

DISABILITY AND BUSINESS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTERS NETWORK

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

PHONE: 1-800-949-4232

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