Respiratory Stakeholders Meet to Begin Work on Outcome-Based Care Models

WASHINGTON, D.C (September 29, 2016)—This past spring, AAHomecare widely distributed a survey to members and other companies in the respiratory segment exploring the possibility of restructuring the basic tenets of respiratory reimbursement via a new payment methodology focusing on Chronic Respiratory Management. The survey data and anecdotal feedback supported a groundswell of renewed interest from a broad cross-section of the HME industry encompassing small, medium and large suppliers to participate in an expanded capacity for providing clinical care while meeting the cardiopulmonary equipment needs.

After obtaining survey results, preliminary meetings were held with important clinical stakeholders, including the National Association for Medical Direction of Respiratory Care (NAMDRC) and the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), both of whom were supportive of the effort. As envisioned at the onset, the idea was to develop 2 to 3 draft models and ultimately seek broader industry input to build upon that progress. This approach was chosen primarily to maintain momentum and not get bogged down in input or information overload.

With that goal in mind, several AAHomecare HME/RT Council members and two AARC executives met to begin to develop basic tenets for a chronic respiratory care model that was patient-focused, built on clinically validated standardized tools such as the GOLD Initiative and ultimately focused on improved outcomes. Additional meetings of the Chronic Respiratory Home Care Models Subcommittee are planned to firm up model details before seeking broader industry input at a future open-invitation summit.

Nick Macmillan, chair of the Subcommittee, stated, “A significant amount of progress was made developing the model framework, and I’m excited to broaden the input circle. With additional universal support, which I believe is strong in principal, I look forward to moving down a path of promoting the HME provider’s ability to provide these service elements that foster favorable patient outcomes and higher patient satisfaction and experience.”

Visit aahomecare.org for more information.