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.
AAHomecare
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:
SACREMENTO, Calif. (June 5, 2020)—California HME stakeholders achieved a measure of success last year in pushing back against a Medi-Cal proposal for Medicaid reimbursement rates based on 80% of non-rural Medicare rates, convincing the agency to use higher rural rates, instead. The new rates went into effect in April 2020 and will be applied retroactively to January 2019; Medi-Cal is anticipated to begin recoupments soon.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 27, 2020)—AAHomecare is currently working on comments for the Interim Final Rule (IFR), Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 public health emergency that was published on April 6, 2020. This IFR provided relief on coverage for respiratory products and allows non-physician healthcare professionals to prescribe DME under Medicaid.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 15, 2020)—A recent survey of more than 500 home medical equipment suppliers shows that the COVID-19 pandemic is seriously impacting suppliers’ access to products on account of supply chain disruptions and rising prices from manufacturers and distributors.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 5, 2020)—The COVID-19 stimulus legislation enacted in late March provides significant reimbursement relief for suppliers servicing Medicare beneficiaries in non-rural areas that are not subject to the bidding program. The reimbursement rate for items that have been receiving 100% of the competitive bidding adjusted fee schedule are getting a blended rate of 75% adjusted and 25% unadjusted (2015 fee schedule) rates.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 1, 2020)—The COVID-19 pandemic is causing widespread financial distress for individuals, families, companies, and governments across the nation—including state government budgets. Not surprisingly, some states may be considering reducing Medicaid reimbursement rates for HME and other health care segments as one potential avenue to help relieve these unexpected budgetary pressures.
WASHINGTON, D.C, (April 30, 2020)—AAHomecare is currently accepting nominations for four open positions on the board of directors. In order to be nominated, you must be an AAHomecare member in good standing.
Members of the board of directors are leaders in the industry and expected to be available to other members to answer questions about AAHomecare activities and to recruit new members. A full list of Board responsibilities is available to those who are interested.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 30, 2020)—The COVID-19 pandemic is challenging health care providers, communities and caregivers to a degree not seen in the last 100 years.
WASHINTON, D.C. (April 29, 2020)—As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to stress communities in much of the nation, third-party payers and state Medicaid officials are developing new policy guidance to allow health care providers to provide effective care and operate more safely under challenging conditions.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (April 8, 2020)—The COVID-19 pandemic has shown a spotlight on the importance that home medical equipment (HME) providers play in delivering care to patients in their homes. By allowing patients to remain in their homes, HME providers are freeing up hospital beds for COVID-19 patients and other patients with similarly serious health problems.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 3, 2020)—Humana shared policy changes for health care providers and suppliers to help facilitate patient care during the COVID-19 outbreak. The policies include:
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 31, 2019)—Monday evening, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an Interim Final Rule (IFR) addressing a range of healthcare issues related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. AAHomecare performed an initial analysis of the IFR that indicates that priority policy recommendations from the HME industry have been included, except for the delay of competitive bidding.
Care in the home becomes a national imperative
SANDWHICH, Mass. (March 19, 2020)—As information about COVID-19 continues to update rapidly, health care providers are continually seeking guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the administration on protocol for dealing with patients and adjusting their practices in these challenging circumstances.