(Des Moines, Iowa) – Iowans using wheelchairs through the state Medicaid program will no longer need a prescription and in-person doctor visit to get their wheelchairs repaired after a policy change by Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports State Rep. Josh Turek, D-Council Bluffs, said that the measure proves advocacy can make a difference. Previously, Iowa Medicaid members were required to get a prescription and have a meeting with a health care provider in order to repair wheelchairs — a requirement Turek said was unnecessary, as wheelchair users have already been prescribed the equipment when they received it.

“This was just an unnecessary barrier that was causing an enormous amount of harm and suffering to the disabled population, delaying the process weeks or months for people to just be able to get a wheelchair repair,” Turek said. These delays caused by the prescription requirement kept some Iowans with disabilities homebound for significant periods because they did not have a working mobility device, he said. Turek, who uses a wheelchair, sponsored a “right to repair” bill in the 2024 legislative session that would remove the prescription and doctor’s visit requirements for wheelchair repairs under Medicaid. While the legislation had unanimous support in the House, he said, it was not discussed by the Senate.

Though the legislation did not advance, the measure was still implemented. Beginning July 1, Iowa HHS changed its policy to no longer require a prescription for wheelchair repairs. Turek linked the HHS administrative policy change with the discussions during the legislative session. The repair delays caused by prescription requirements “really wasn’t on on their radar” for HHS, he said, but advocacy by lawmakers and members of the disabled community prompted action by the state department.

State Rep. Josh Turek at work in the Iowa Capitol. (Photo courtesy of Rep. Turek)

While the prescription and face-to-face visit requirements were lifted, wheelchair users on the state Medicaid program still need prior authorizations for equipment repairs — pre-approval from the managed care organization (MCO) or private insurer that is providing Medicaid coverage. This process can also take several weeks, Turek said — time in which the Medicaid recipient will not be able to get the needed repair.

In future sessions, Turek said he plans to advocate for ways to reduce the wait time for the repair process through measures like requiring MCOs to respond to authorization requests within seven to 10 days, or lifting the authorization requirement for repairs that cost under $700.