HCFA Administrator Nancy-Ann DeParle today announced demonstration projects in four states to help Medicare beneficiaries with disabilities exercise greater choice and control in meeting their personal needs for wheelchairs and related equipment.

The Health Care Financing Administration, which administers the Medicare program, will provide $150,000 to each of four local Centers for Independent Living in Maine, Massachusetts, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania. The centers, which are funded by the U.S. Department of Education, are local consumer-led organizations devoted to helping people with disabilities live and work in their communities.

The funding will support efforts by these centers to help individual beneficiaries choose and obtain wheelchairs and ongoing maintenance, as well as special features such as removable tires, carrying packs, extra padding, and desktops that otherwise might cost them more money.

"These projects help further Medicare's ability to better serve people with disabilities so they remain an active part of their communities," DeParle said. "And it gives our beneficiaries more choice and control to have what they consider the most appropriate and usable equipment to best meet their personal needs."

The four centers chosen will provide information, referrals and assistance to increase consumers' direct involvement in choosing and negotiating the best price for wheelchairs and special features. The centers are:

* Alpha One Center for Independent Living, Portland, Maine.

* Center for Living and Working, Worcester, Mass.

* Ability Resources Inc., Tulsa, Okla.

* Center for Independent Living of Southwest Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Pa.

The four centers will provide beneficiaries with information about seating clinics and physician referrals, if necessary. Beneficiaries will submit requests for prior authorization and negotiate with DME suppliers. Any savings will be used to purchase additional features or equipment that Medicare otherwise would not cover. Medicare will pre-approve payment for a beneficiary's wheelchair based on their individual medical needs.

"These projects represent another step toward giving individuals with disabilities the tools to live and work more independently with dignity in their communities," said Judith E. Heumann, Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services in the Department of Education. "We are hopeful that efforts like these will assist people with disabilities in achieving greater employment outcomes. We are pleased to partner with HHS to build a bridge between independent living centers and the Medicare program."

HCFA solicited proposals specifically from Centers for Independent Living because of their work to promote empowerment of people with disabilities and their ability to reach significant numbers of beneficiaries through referral, advocacy, peer counseling and skills training. HCFA and the Department of Education will identify and share any innovations and best practices that evolve under the demonstration project.

HCFA's funding will support the development of plans to support these consumer-driven approaches. HCFA expects to begin paying for claims submitted under these demonstrations in one to two years.