Competitive Bidding


Spending Bill: No H.R. 4229 Provisions Added

While the omnibus budget package didn't include the rural relief bill's legislative language, it does ask CMS to implement the IFR.

Push for HR 4229 Provisions in Omnibus Bill Intensifies

With March 23 deadline to keep the government funded looming, HME advocates push hard to get rural relief provisions integrated into appropriations bill.

56 Lawmakers Back Sign-on Letter

AAHomecare push to adopt H.R. 4229 language garners support from Representatives from across the country.

AAHomecare Sets Sights on Appropriations Committees

With IFR potentially stalled at OMB, association president calls on industry to lobby House, Senate decision-makers to support key legislative language.

Industry Preps for Rural Relief Advocacy Effort

For the next 3 weeks, advocates and providers will work to convince lawmakers that they must get behind H.R. 4229’s provisions.

Whitehouse Budget Includes HME Proposals

Budget package proposes policy changes such as competitive bidding revisions and eliminating face-to-face requirements.

Grassley Presses OMB's Mulvaney on Rural Relief IFR

Iowa Senator wants to know what steps OMB director's office is taking to release rural relief IFR.

AAHomecare, ATS Brief Capitol Hill Staff on HME Access

Advocates, stakeholders meet with legislative staff on the negative impact of competitive bidding on patient access to needed equipment.

Industry Advocates to Brief Congressional Staff

AAHomecare, American Thoracic Society will meet with legislative staff on how competitive bidding has impacted patient access to needed equipment.

Advocates Continue Pushing Interim Final Rule

AAHomecare urges providers to replicate MAMES effort to drive adoption of IFR that would resume blended rates for rural providers.



AAHomecare Applauds Advocacy Work of QMES

Regional provider on the East Coast has made a companywide effort to help drive legislative support for H.R. 4229.

H.R. 4229 Push Targets Past Rural Relief Allies

Advocacy effort calls on providers to contact 35 legislators who co-sponsored of H.R. 5210 in the last Congress.

VIDEO: Azar Discusses HME With Senate Finance

Sen. Thune queries HHS Secretary nominee on the CURES Act and the Interim Final Rule regarding rural and non-bid area reimbursement.

CMS Relaxes Timetable for CURES Changes

CMS has backed off from its Dec. 31, 2017 deadline and stated it will work with state Medicaid programs on their compliance, reimbursement plans.

Industry Bills End Year on Firm Footing

Rural relief bill H.R. 4229 notches 98 co-sponsors as Congress heads home, and H.R. 3730, the CRT accessories bill, closes 2018 with 77 signatures.

Dobson Study an Important Lobbying Tool

Study of Medicare's negative impact on beneficiaries should play a key role in current industry lobbying efforts.

CMS Release First CURES-Related Medicaid Update

A State Operational Technical Advisory call discussed tool for comparing Medicare and Medicaid rates and explained reporting process.

Calif. Provider Meets with Rep. Denham and CMS’s VERMA

Home Oxygen Company discusses industry challenges with lawmaker and CMS administrator.

National Bid Expand Created Widespread Difficulties in HME Access

Advanced highlights from report show that 52 percent of Medicare beneficiaries had trouble accessing HME since July 1, 2016.

Consumer Groups Lobby Congress on Behalf of H.R.-3730

Letter calls on lawmakers to support legislation that would protect manual CRT chair accessories from competitive bid pricing.

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