AAHomecare Lists Problems with Proposed Oxygen Rule

ALEXANDRIA, Va.–The American Association for Homecare recently
outlined its top concerns with CMS’ proposed implementation of new
oxygen policy (see HomeCare Monday, July 31). The Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking, which was issued in July, implements the
36-month capped rental provision in the Deficit Reduction Act that
transfers equipment ownership to patients and calls for overhauling
the oxygen payment system, creating new categories and fees. The
comment period on the draft rule closed last week.

In comments submitted to CMS Sept. 25, AAHomecare said the
proposed rule:
–does not comply with the congressional requirement that changes
oxygen payments to budget-neutral;
–compounds the flawed oxygen policy enacted by the DRA because it
does not recognize the full array of professional, administrative
and other non-equipment costs of furnishing oxygen to Medicare
beneficiaries; and
–runs counter to the goals of preserving beneficiary choice of
equipment and modality, high-quality care and continued development
of new oxygen technology.

The association recommended that CMS:
–reallocate the monthly payment amounts for oxygen equipment to
support portable oxygen contents and the continuing development of
new oxygen technologies, after CMS revises reimbursement policy to
make it budget-neutral;
–revise payments based on accurate and complete data on the
current costs of providing oxygen therapy to Medicare beneficiaries
in the home; and
–delay implementation of the changes in the proposed rule and
grandfather those beneficiaries currently on oxygen to promote a
smooth transition to the new policies, avoid disruptions, minimize
impact on providers and allow CMS to work with stakeholders to
revise the new methodology.