Wisconsin Legislative Council
ACT MEMO
One Ea st Ma in Stre e t, Suite 401 • Ma dison, W I 53703 • (608) 266-1304 • le g.council@le gis.wisconsin.gov • http://www.le gis.wisconsin.gov/lc
Prepared by: Margit Kelley, Principal Attorney April 3, 2024
2023 Wisconsin Act 182
[2023 Senate Bill 592]
Medicaid Reimbursement for
Complex Rehabilitation
Technology Repair
2023 Wisconsin Act 182 specifies that the Department of Health Services (DHS) must apply a
reimbursement rate under the Medical Assistance (MA) program for complex rehabilitation technology
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(CRT) wheelchair repair and accessories that is equal to the maximum fee paid in Wisconsin under the
federal Medicare program.
The act requires DHS to submit an annual report to the Legislature, beginning July 1, 2025, on the CRT
wheelchair repair and accessories claims data. The claims data must include the total number of units,
total number of claims, total number of claims per provider, average dollar amount of all paid claims,
average dollar amount of claims paid per provider, total dollar amount paid per provider, and the
number of repairs done per unit during the last year. The report must also include a calculation of the
amount paid to the provider compared to the amount paid to the provider if the reimbursement were
through MA fee-for-service.
The act also requires DHS to submit a one-time report to the Legislature, by July 1, 2025, regarding
general CRT supplier data. The report must describe the number of CRT suppliers certified as MA
providers in Wisconsin as of December 31, 2024, compared to December 31, 2017, and the effect of 2017
Wisconsin Act 306
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on the access and availability of CRT for MA recipients. The report must also
include an assessment as to whether the CRT payment rates are adequate to ensure patient access to
CRT.
Effective date: March 24, 2024, except that the act applies to a third-party payer that contracts with
DHS to provide health care under the MA program on the date a contract is newly established,
extended, modified, or renewed on or after March 24, 2024.
For a full history of the bill, visit the Legislature’s bill history page.
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CRT items are classified within Medicare as durable medical equipment that are individually configured for individuals
to meet their specific and unique medical, physical, and functional needs and capacities for basic activities of daily
living and instrumental activities of daily living identified as medically necessary. CRT includes complex rehabilitation
manual and power wheelchairs, adaptive seating and positioning items, and other specialized equipment such as
standing frames and gait trainers, as well as options and accessories related to any of these items.
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2017 Wisconsin Act 306 established coverage for CRT as an MA benefit that is separate from the benefit for general
durable medical equipment.