AAHomecare

Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 11, 2018)—AAHomecare met with HHS Deputy Secretary Eric Hargan and other HHS/CMS officials to discuss the status of HME-related regulations and policy. AAHomecare’s Tom Ryan and Jay Witter were joined in the meeting by Cara Bachenheimer of Invacare and Christian Springer of Foley Hoag. Principal subjects addressed included:

Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 4, 2018)—At their recent meeting at Medtrade Spring in Las Vegas, AAHomecare’s Executive Committee approved plans to go forward with a project to examine electronic prescription (e-prescribing) platforms and to help promote adoption and acceptance of e-prescribing within the home medical equipment community.

Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 22, 2018)—Congressional leaders have concluded negotiations on omnibus legislation, and have just released bill text that Congress will vote on this week. While the legislative text does not include provisions from HR 4229, Capitol Hill sources have shared report language accompanying the bill that reaffirms Congressional interest in providing relief for rural suppliers, as noted on page 49 of the report section related to HHS:

Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 21, 2018)—Omnibus spending legislation has still not been released as Wednesday in Washington goes to press. Congressional and media sources currently predict text will be finalized and available this evening, but the timing for release has been a moving target all day.

Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 14, 2018)—The AAHomecare lobbying team received a welcome boost from Kentucky HME leaders who put together their own “fly-in” to advocate for relief on Medicare reimbursement cuts for rural areas and address the O2 “double dip” cuts also hurting rural suppliers. 

Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 28, 2018)—When CMS released guidance for states to comply with CURES-mandated Medicaid reimbursement cuts in late December, Georgia Deparment of Community Health (DCH) officials signaled their intention to go with what CMS called the simplest option: to base Medicaid rates on the Medicare fee schedule.

Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 28, 2018)—AAHomecare has been working for many months with CMS and the Jurisdiction D Council to fix a claims system problem related to physician’s PECOS enrollment.

Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 22, 2018)—Champions on Capitol Hill remain highly engaged in efforts to roll back bidding-derived Medicare reimbursement cuts in rural/non-bid areas and to address the “double dip” cuts for oxygen in rural areas. With potential omnibus spending legislation expected in late March as a possible vehicle for language from H.R. 4229, it’s critical that we continue to engage Capitol Hill to support these priorities—especially over the next three weeks.

Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 14, 2018)—The recently released FY 2019 budget proposal from the White House includes several items related to DME. AAHomecare has especially strong concerns about the first item noted below and plans to talk to the Administration for clarification.

Provisions found in the budget proposal and an HHS summary document include:

Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 7, 2018)—Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) has scheduled a congressional staff briefing to discuss AAHomecare’s study on the effects of the bidding program on HME patients, discharge planners and suppliers, as well as a study published by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) highlighting access problems for oxygen patients.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 25, 2018)—Last Friday, AAHomecare attended the first Provider Compliance Focus Group meeting held at CMS’s main campus in Baltimore. This was an opportunity for Medicare stakeholders to engage in a conversation with CMS on a variety of compliance related issues. AAHomecare and several Regulatory Council members spoke to CMS on:

WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 24, 2018)—This afternoon, the U.S. Senate confirmed Alex Azar to serve as Secretary of the Dept. of Health & Human Services by a vote of 55–43.

Statement on today's confirmation from Tom Ryan, president and CEO of the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare):

Via AAHomcare, WASHINGTON, DC (January 5, 2018)—CMS has revised its initial guidance to state Medicaid directors on compliance with CURES legislation provisions regarding the Federal allowable for Medicaid reimbursement.

Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 3, 2018)—As first reported in early December, AAHomecare’s State Leaders Council is working with state and regional HME associations, AAHomecare membership, and other stakeholder groups to identify a primary and secondary assigned contact from the HME industry for every member of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. 

Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 29, 2017)—As mandated in the December 2016 CURES bill, federal Medicaid reimbursement to states for home medical equipment cannot exceed what Medicare would have allowed for these items, in aggregate, beginning on January 1, 2018.

—Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 14, 2017)—CMS recently provided an update on a State Operational Technical Advisory (SOTA) call regarding CURES Medicaid provisions. AAHomecare was one of nearly 300 participants on the call, which was put together for the benefit of Medicaid program officials, but also included industry stakeholders.

—Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 14, 2017)—Last week, the AAHomecare Board of Directors approved the following changes to the Board and Executive Committee:

—Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 14, 2017)—AAHomecare has learned that third party sellers in North Dakota (and possibly other states) have been advertising and selling through Amazon.com CPAP devices without a prescription or any other medical supervision. Such sales are likely in violation of state and federal laws, as well as Amazon’s own restrictions on the sale of prescription devices.

Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 30, 2017)—As mandated in the December 2016 CURES bill, federal Medicaid reimbursement to states for home medical equipment cannot exceed what Medicare would have allowed for these items beginning on January 1, 2018.  

Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C.