Washington, D.C. (May 17, 2019)—A group of industry trade organizations is commending the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for releasing detailed guidance describing how bidders’ estimated capacity will drive the final single payment amounts (SPAs) and for announcing a new bidding window for Medicare’s Round 2021 of the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) competitive bidding program (CBP).
AAHomecare
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 6, 2019)—Multiple providers have received word from UnitedHealthcare (UHC) local provider representatives that denial of PAP supply claims for DME providers is a system error at UHC. Only the UHC supply policy was updated on March 31, 2019, creating an issue with the claims processing system for DME claims. The provision of including PAP supplies should exclude DME providers using Place of Service 12 (Home).
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 2, 2019)—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will be hosting three webcasts as part of their education program to assist bidders and sureties on CB 2021. During the webcasts, CMS will be accepting questions from participants but encourages question submissions before the webcast at cbic.admin@palmettogba.com with “Webcast Question” in the subject line. Below is the schedule for the webcasts and providers can register for the first session here.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 2, 2019)—AAHomecare’s updated quarterly supplier number analysis shows a decrease in the number of suppliers. As of January 2019, there are approximately 6,143 unique traditional DMEPOS suppliers and 9,195 traditional DMEPOS locations, which is a 37% decrease in unique suppliers and 35% decrease in locations since the inception of the competitive bidding program.
AAHomecare is tackling new challenges and looking forward in mid-2019
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 5, 2019)—Last week, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a report titled, “Medicare And Medicaid CMS Should Assess Documentation Necessary to Identify Improper Payments.” For the report, the GAO examined the portion of the improper payment rates for Medicare and Medicaid programs that are attributed to insufficient documentation.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 2, 2019)—AAHomecare has partnered with other leading home medical equipment (HME) stakeholders to develop comprehensive online educational resources to help suppliers understand the rules and requirements for competitive bidding (CB) Round 2021, which can be found at dmecbpeducation.com.
WATERLOO, Iowa (March 22, 2019)—In response to the aggressive timeline for providers to meet CMS’s newest requirements to bid in Round 2021, VGM Insurance Services, in affiliation with its treasury-listed partner, Lexon Insurance Company, has developed a new Competitive Bid Bond product available to businesses intending to participate in the next round of bidding.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 19, 2019)—The Tennessee state legislature has enacted legislation establishing “separate benefit” status for a category of specialized power wheelchairs commonly referred to as Complex Rehab Technology (CRT). The new legislation, which heads to Governor Bill Lee for his approval, will ensure that CRT products receive separate consideration when state Medicaid authorities are proposing adjustments to reimbursement rates or other regulatory changes.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 22, 2019)—AAHomecare is adding three respected HME veterans to join its leadership team. Filling recent at-large vacancies on the AAHomecare Board of Directors are:
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 22, 2019)—Over the past two and a half years, AAHomecare’s payer relations efforts have helped stop or limit proposed Medicaid reimbursement cuts in dozens of states, limited the spread of sole-source and narrow-network contract arrangements, and successfully lobbied TRICARE to provide retroactive relief for HME reimbursements based on the 2016 CURES bill.
LAS VEGAS (February 21, 2019)—Early Rates for Medtrade Spring are in effect until Saturday, Feb. 23. Educational sessions, networking events, exhibitors, and workshop leaders are all gearing up for the show, scheduled for April 16–18, 2019, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
- An Expo Pass is $50 until Feb. 23
- A Conference Pass is $199 until Feb. 23
Consider these add-ons to your show:
AKRON, Ohio (February 7, 2018)—Congratulations to Miller’s Rental and Sales, Inc., celebrating 70 years of service to communities in Northeast Ohio this year— the official celebration will take place in June. In an interview this week with WAKR radio, John Miller, president, provided a unique overview of the company’s beginnings as a party rental business to the multiple location durable medical equipment business it is today.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 7, 2019)—With legislators tackling a myriad of issues on Capitol Hill, participating in face-to-face meetings to build relationships and share personal experiences are the key to breaking through the clutter. Join AAHomecare for the Washington Legislative Conference, May 22-23 to move HME policy priorities to the forefront of Congress.
TOPEKA, Kan. (January 24, 2019)—The Kansas Dept. of Health and Environment has proposed cutting rates for most HME items to just 65 percent of the Medicare non-rural fee schedule, effective retroactively to Jan. 1, 2019.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 24, 2019)—While the budget impasse and government shutdown continue to dominate the headlines, AAHomecare continues engagement with industry champions on Capitol Hill and staffers on House and Senate committees with jurisdiction over Medicare and health care-related issues.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 10, 2019)—On Dec. 27, 2017, CMS released guidance related to 2016 CURES bill provisions that mandated that federal Medicaid reimbursement to states for HME could not exceed what Medicare would have allowed for these items, in aggregate, beginning on Jan. 1, 2018.
Recent gains won't slow down industry leaders
Updated December 6, 2018: The Council for Respiratory Care (CQRC), a coalition of the nation's leading home oxygen therapy providers and manufacturing companies, reiterated support for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ key reforms to stabilize the market for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) including home respiratory therapy and supplies, but expressed concern over a sub-regulatory proposal to include home ventilators in the Co