Wisconsin HME Providers Seek Support from Speaker Ryan

JANESVILLE, Wis. (February 9, 2016)—Members of the VGM Government Relations team along with Mercy Health System executives and other state providers, welcomed House Speaker Paul Ryan to the Mercy Health Mall in Janesville, Wisconsin, to discuss challenges faced by the durable medical equipment industry.

Multiple health providers across Wisconsin, including Mercy Assisted Care Durable Medical Equipment (DME), Agnesian Health, Home Health United, Home Care Medical, Home Care Pharmacy, Oxygen One Inc., Knueppel Healthcare Services and VGM, met to ask for Ryan’s support of a reimbursement rate freeze from the nationwide rollout of the Competitive Bidding Program. The program could potentially leave Medicare and Medicaid patients without proper medical equipment, such as oxygen, semi-electric beds and mobility devices, due to those cuts in reimbursement rates.

“Access to oxygen, nebulizers, apnea monitors and other DME equipment is critical for patients who have been hospitalized or suffer from serious illness,” said Denise Schrader, Vice President Care Continuum, MercyRockford Health System. “Mr. Ryan quickly recognized the barriers and broad negative impact the competitive bidding current process has on care and health of patients and the entire health care delivery system causing delayed discharges and avoidable readmissions.”

“Speaker Ryan is very much aware of issues that medical equipment providers face,” said Tom Powers, VGM and Associates’ director of government relations. “He understands how Medicare’s competitive bidding program hindered suppliers from providing necessary equipment seniors and people with disabilities. Mr. Ryan agreed that the bidding program is a real problem and wants to be helpful where he can so DME suppliers can continue to serve those who need these services.”

Other issues discussed focused on how the cuts and subsequent lack of access to needed medical equipment affects hospital discharge, employment, services and inventory reductions.

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