Medicare Changes

ALS Medicare Waiver

ALS-Related Legislation:

On December 15, 2000, the United States Senate and House of Representatives voted to waive the current 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage of people diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS), as part of the fiscal year 2001 spending bill (H.R. 4577) for labor, health and human services, and education. This is an historic victory for the ALS community.

The Official U.S. Government Site for People with Medicare: www.medicare.gov

The Social Security Administration: www.ssa.gov

Homebound Clarification 

The Medicare Prescription Drug Bill was signed by the president on December 8, 2003.  It includes a provision for a trial project to clarify the definition of "homebound".  The project will study the effect of loosening Medicare rules that require people to stay confined in their homes in order to receive home health services.  This legislation is a victory for David Jayne, an ALS patient in Georgia, who has been a tireless advocate for a change in Medicare regulations.

Previously, Medicare's homebound restriction robbed people with disabilities who use home health services of the chance to participate freely in their communities. David Jayne, whose battle with ALS makes necessary such services, became the leading advocate and spokesperson for exposing and changing this outdated policy that imprisoned thousands in their own homes. Also, this Medicare bill drastically reduced the cost of prescription drugs to Medicare recipients and provided them with catastrophic coverage.

For more information: www.medicare.gov