Substitute House Bill No. 7106 seeks to improve wheelchair repair requirements and consumer protections in Connecticut, effective July 1, 2025. The bill stipulates that the Commissioner of Social Services will not require a new prescription or prior authorization for medically necessary repairs of customized wheelchairs if the original prescription is less than five years old. It mandates coverage for the repair or replacement of customized wheelchairs for Medicaid recipients and establishes definitions for key terms such as "authorized wheelchair dealer," "complex rehabilitation technology," and "timely repair." The bill also sets specific timelines for the repair process and requires authorized dealers to maintain accessible communication for repair requests.

Additionally, the bill enhances reporting requirements, mandating authorized wheelchair dealers to report repair timelines monthly to the Commissioner of Social Services and the Office of the Healthcare Advocate. The Office of the Healthcare Advocate is tasked with conducting a public awareness campaign to inform consumers of their rights regarding timely wheelchair repairs. The Complex Rehabilitation Technology and Wheelchair Repair Advisory Council will be terminated on February 1, 2026, and the bill includes conforming changes to related reporting requirements. Notably, House Amendment "A" replaces the original bill, removing provisions related to Medicaid coverage for transportation and preventative maintenance, as well as requirements for wheelchair dealers to maintain sufficient staff and parts for timely repairs.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 42-337, 42-338
HS Joint Favorable Substitute: 42-337, 42-338
File No. 518: 42-337, 42-338
File No. 948: 42-337, 42-338