WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 8, 2020)—On Dec. 21, 2020, both the House and Senate passed a COVID-19 relief bill that included provisions addressing a Medicare payment disparity for oxygen products in rural areas.
AAHomecare
Looking back with pride & ahead with optimism
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 18, 2020)—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has published the CY 2021 Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Fee Schedule. As of Jan. 1, 2021, CMS will continue to apply the CARES Act relief rates for rural and nonrural areas.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 17, 2020)—AAHomecare joined the Home Medical Equipment and Services Association of New England (HOMES) in commenting on Medicaid rate analysis commissioned by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to help guide future rate-setting efforts. The joint comments take issue with the choice of states used for comparison purposes, noting significant differences in the service areas and Medicaid program operating structures versus those in Maine.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 7, 2020)—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a 0.6% CPI-U adjustment to the 2021 DMEPOS fee schedule for products previously subject to competitive bidding provided in Competitive Bidding Areas (CBAs). The adjustment for suppliers in rural and other non-bid areas is expected to be even less.
How state leaders navigated stormy seas of advocacy in a COVID-19 world
RICHMOND, Va. (November 20, 2020)—Governor Ralph Northam has signed Virginia’s 2021-2022 budget containing an amendment requiring Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) to reimburse home medical equipment (HME) providers at a minimum of 90% of the State’s Medicaid fee schedule effective July 1, 2021.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 18, 2020)—The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) urged government officials to include DMEPOS suppliers in the Phase 1 Distribution of COVID-19 vaccine for front-line health care personnel.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 24, 2020)—Home medical equipment (HME) suppliers have received a notice from the CBIC indicating that that Competitive Bidding Round 2021 “contract offers and disqualification information would soon be provided” in Connexion and encouraging suppliers to make sure their CMS Enterprise Portal information was up to date.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 8, 2020)—Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa) introduced H.R. 8158, new legislation to address unsustainable reimbursement rates for stationary oxygen products—including oxygen concentrators—furnished in rural areas.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 28, 2020)—The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a new targeted distribution of the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund that allocates funds to providers that treat uninsured patients during this public health emergency, in April. This funding allows providers that serviced uninsured patients on or after Feb. 4, 2020 to receive payment at Medicare allowables.
WASHIGNTON, D.C. (August 14, 2020)—The success of last month’s House Congressional letter with 101 signatures is the latest example of the powerful influence and importance of grassroots advocacy. AAHomecare and the industry would not have secured such strong support during a tumultuous time on The Hill were it not for the groundswell of grassroots advocates like yourself who answered the call to action.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 22, 2020)—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Provider Burden Relief Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that the suspension of Medicare fee for server (FFS) audits due to the COVID-19 public health emergency will be lifted beginning Aug. 3, 2020 (see page 1).
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 14, 2020)—The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) joined other health care groups in asking Congress to affirm tax-exempt status for recent relief for healthcare providers, as noted in a late June press release.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 10, 2020)—As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the increased utilization of products directly responding to related respiratory challenges (ventilators, oxygen, sleep equipment, etc.) have the potential to skew state Medicaid programs’ spending and impact rates for the broader range of home medical equipment.
RALEIGH, N.C. (July 8, 2020)—North Carolina home medical equipment stakeholders successfully concluded a year-long effort to protect reimbursement rates for Medicaid beneficiaries served through managed care organizations (MCOs) when Gov. Roy Cooper signed comprehensive Medicaid bill SB 808.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 26, 2020)—The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) recently met with TRICARE East contractor Humana Military on a range of issues, including implementation of new reimbursement rates authorized by COVID-19 relief legislation, the CARES Act.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 19, 2020)—As noted last week, HHS opened the application portal for CARES Act relief for Medicaid/CHIP-only providers. The new round of relief is for health care providers who have directly billed their state Medicaid/CHIP programs or Medicaid managed care plans between Jan.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 12, 2020)—AAHomecare is urging home medical equipment suppliers and other industry stakeholders to educate their Congressional representatives on the potential impacts of moving forward with Round 2021 of the competitive bidding program and enlist their support for a delay in implementing the program.
WASHINTON, D.C. (June 10, 2020)—AAHomecare’s membership approved a new leadership slate, installing Bill Guidetti (executive vice president, East Zone, Apria Healthcare – Red Bank, N.J.) as chairman of the Board. Other officers elected include: