Oxygen Workgroup Still Working

AAHomecare reported last week that
its New Oxygen Coalition continues to work toward consensus on a
plan for reform of the Medicare home oxygen benefit. A nine-member
subcommittee working within the coalition has met several times,
the association said, and hopes to have a final document for
consideration within the next few weeks. With oxygen a potential
target for additional cuts by Congress, the group is aiming for a
plan that would repeal the 36-month cap, remove oxygen from
competitive bidding and recognize service requirements for oxygen
providers.

According to some in the workgroup, the main sticking point is
agreement on the approach to oxygen payment. A plan from AAHomecare
and the Council for
Quality Respiratory Care includes a case mix-adjusted payment
system, but alternatives have been offered by the Big Sky Association of
Medical Equipment Services and Jason Rogers, president of the
Georgia
Association of Medical Equipment Services. For more, see
“Oxygen
Stakeholders Work toward Common Ground,” HomeCare
Monday, Feb. 9.