Legislative


GAMES Adds New Executive Director

Devin Krecle brings a decade of experience working healthcare industry associations to Georgia HME association.

AAHomecare Slates 2019 Washington Legislative Conference

Annual DC legislative and lobbying event will be held May 22-23 at the Doubletree by Hilton in Crystal City.

AAHomecare Re-engages with Lawmakers in New Congress

As the new Congress sets its committees of jurisdiction, HME association sets stage for advancing industry’s agenda on Capitol Hill.

VGM Releases 2019 Rate Guide

Member service organization summarizes the various changes in DMEPOS reimbursement that will and won’t impact providers this year.

Taking Stock: 2018 Medicaid Advocacy Effort Pays Off

AAHomecare says a year-long effort to work with state Medicaid programs helped stop or curtail CURES cuts in 29 states.

Manual CRT Protections Stall Out in Senate

Despite last-minute legislative wrangling, a Medicaid bill that included provisions to protect reimbursement for manual CRT chair accessories lapses with the close of the 115th Congress.

strategy

Business Solutions

Setting a Smart Strategy for 2019

Are you setting the right strategy for 2019? This marks our 11th annual survey of the 10 key trends that will impact the home medical equipment industry the most during the New Year. In this year's list, larger healthcare and retail trends could impact HME more than anticipated. As a result, this installment of the Big 10 list is a must-read.

2019 Fee Schedule: More Oxygen Cuts

CMS’s decision to apply budget neutrality offsets to 2019 fee schedule sees reimbursement reductions for a variety of oxygen codes.

2019 Medicare Fee Schedule Adjusted for Inflation

Increases range between 2.3%-2.5%, marking highest inflation-related upticks since CMS first implemented competitive bidding.

Report: O2 Care Hurting and Bidding Could Be the Cause

A report from the American Thoracic Society calls for further analysis into relation between competitive bidding and problems with oxygen patients’ care.



Manual CRT Protections Move to Senate

House passes Medicaid bill containing provisions to protect funding for manual CRT accessories; Senate now working to consider bill under unanimous consent.

H.R. 3730 Provisions Added to Lame Duck Medicaid Bill

The effort to protect accessories for manual CRT chairs sees a nail-biting legislative effort at the end of the 115th Congress.

Editor's Note

CBD's Quest for Market, Legal & Medical Legitimization

CBD represents a solid market opportunity for DME pharmacies, but work needs to be done. Fortunately, we're getting there.

Observation Deck

A Tight Spot

How to approach the CGS/Noridian letter and the '60-Day Rule.'

PFQC Workshop Explores Online Grassroots Advocacy

Various HME groups meet to explore best practices for online and social media campaigns to advance grassroots organizing.

CMS Extends Deadline for Ventilator Comments

CMS has postponed the deadline to Dec. 17 for public comments on including certain ventilator classes in future rounds of competitive bidding.

NCART: Still Time to Push H.R. 3730

Bill to protect accessories for manual CRT wheelchairs sees new activity on the Hill; advocates could achieve passage before Congress adjourns.

CMS’s Final Rule: What’s Next?

AAHomecare says that while the rule might be final ‘we’re just getting started.’ How do providers proceed?

VGM Surveys Midterms' Impact on HME

VGM Government Relations identifies which HME allies will return for in the 116th Congress, which ones won’t, and outlines how the industry can pick up new advocates.

CMS Releases ESRD/DMEPOS Final Rule

Rule is a mixed bag, including some but not all of the additional reforms industry stakeholders had advocated for in public comments and Congressional letters.

HME Business Podcast