AAHomecare Sets 2006 Advocacy Priorities

WASHINGTON–Fighting for the repeal of the 36-month rental cap
on home oxygen is among the top legislative and regulatory
priorities the American Association for Homecare has set for
2006.

Last week the association outlined the following issues it will
pursue this year:

—Oxygen and HME capped-rental: Advocate for the repeal
of the oxygen cap and the 13-month cap on HME items enacted in the
Deficit Reduction Act of 2005; oppose the 13-month oxygen cap in
the Bush administration’s proposed FY ’07 budget; work on long-term
solutions to oxygen reimbursement issues via a summit meeting;
continue to present regulatory compliance, provider and
patient-safety concerns related to oxygen capped-rental to CMS and
Congress; craft codes and descriptions for maintenance and repair
for CMS; and request a delay in the implementation of noninvasive
positive pressure ventilation capped rental.

—Competitive bidding: Support passage of the
Hobson-Tanner Bill (H.R. 3559), which includes patient-access and
small-business protections; advocate appropriate rules from CMS in
response to the notice of proposed rulemaking; urge CMS not to rush
implementation of DME competitive bidding “to get it right;” and
monitor the development of quality standards.

—Inhalation dispensing fee: Collect data on the
detrimental effects of inhalation dispensing fee cuts and submit to
CMS in advance of the 2007 physician fee schedule.

—Home health: Preserve the integrity of the home health
benefit by opposing a freeze in the home health reimbursement
update in 2007 and through educating Congress, MedPAC and
consumers. Initiate legislation that addresses funding for home
health agency health information technology, i.e., point-of-care
and telehealth, pay-for-performance and evidence-based best
practices.

—Rehab and assistive technology: Ensure the power
mobility codes and local coverage determination preserve patient
access to the most medically appropriate equipment, services and
technology; educate Congress about gap-filling; preserve the
first-month purchase option for power mobility; ensure that the
final rule for power mobility devices provides for greater
documentation clarity, physician education and a 60-day timeframe
for face-to-face exams; and exempt rehab from national competitive
bidding.

Other regulatory issues the association will pursue include:

—Electronic Data Interchange: Research existing
electronic records proposals and their implications for home care;
seek modes for participation in existing efforts; and develop
proactive solutions for home care.

—National Supplier Clearinghouse/National Provider
Identifier issues: Continue to monitor provider issues with NSC
and NPI and participate in comment periods.

—Durable Medical Equipment Regional Carrier/Medicare
Administrative Contractor transition: Continue to monitor
advance payments, proof of delivery and other issues.

—Pay for performance: Monitor home health pay for
performance and participate in national stakeholders’ meetings;
assess process measures that may be used for some kind of HME pay
for performance system and other ways for HME companies to be
involved in quality initiatives.

—Medical gases: Conduct 25-inch vacuum evacuation
validation study and present to FDA; continue to monitor current
good manufacturing practice.

The association said it will employ a variety of strategies in
achieving its goals, including expansion of grasstops and
grassroots efforts and stronger ties to patient and physician
stakeholder groups. It also will continue to educate Congress,
regulators, the press and consumers about the value of home care
and will work to increase the industry’s visibility.