Alan Dupuis

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 16, 2013—On Wednesday and Thursday of last week, AAHomecare’s Regulatory Council met at the association’s Washington, D.C., office. Discussions revolved around key issues related to bidding, audits, PECOS and the face-to-face exam requirement, as well as emerging issues such as oximetry testing in skilled nursing facilities.

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 10, 2013—With the July 1 start date of Round 2 right around the corner, the Washington Legislative Conference provides a vital opportunity for providers and manufacturers to talk with federal policy makers about the negative impact of so-called “competitive” bidding and the need for an alternative program.

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 10, 2013—In grandfathering documents posted here (www.dmecompetitivebid.com), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) states: “Non-contract suppliers must provide written notification of their decision whether to be a grandfathered supplier to all of their Medicare beneficiaries who reside in a competitive bidding area (CBA) and are currently renting competitively bid DME or oxygen and oxygen equipment at least 30 business days prior to pro

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 3, 2013—The Medicare DMEPOS Market Pricing Program Act of 2013, also known as H.R. 1717, was introduced to the House recently thanks to the bipartisan efforts of Rep. Tom Price, M.D. (R-Ga.) and Rep. John Larson (D-Conn). The legislation had 25 original cosponsors—a fantastic start! However, this is just the beginning. Now we all have to work together to get as many additional cosponsors as possible.

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 3, 2013—On Tuesday, May 7, AAHomecare will host a webinar in preparation for the upcoming Washington Legislative Conference. The webinar will focus on lobbying training, supporting documents preview, and key issues analysis. If you have not yet met with your Congressional delegation, or you want a refresher on how to talk to someone on Capitol Hill, sign up today. This webinar is free to both AAHomecare members and nonmembers.

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 3, 2013—AAHomecare is pleased to announce that the association has hired Heather Boyd as its new manager of regulatory affairs. She has over six years of experience with health care policy, focusing on Medicare regulations. She has researched, analyzed and advocated for numerous health care issues, including accountable care organizations, for the American Medical Directors Association, Women in Government and the National Chain Drugstore Association.

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 26, 2013—The American Association for Homecare and the National Association of Independent Medical Equipment Suppliers (NAIMES) have reached an agreement to merge their organizations. The combined Association will maintain the AAHomecare name and continue to do business at 1707 L Street NW, Suite 350, Washington, D.C., 20036.

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 19, 2013—AAHomecare and senior officials at the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) met recently to discuss documentation requirements for repairs to power mobility devices (PMDs), as well as the prior authorization demonstration project.

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 11, 2013— From Tyler J. Wilson, president of the American Association for Homecare: “With the release today of information about competitive bidding Round 2 contract suppliers, CMS continues to gloss over the structural problems in the bidding program. In its announcement, the agency spins a far from accurate picture regarding all the supposed positives for Medicare.

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 5, 2013—On March 28, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report entitled “Surety Bonds Remain an Underutilized Tool to Protect Medicare From Supplier Overpayments.” The report analyzed CMS’ handling of the surety bond program for DME providers and concluded that the Agency had mismanaged the program.

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 29, 2013—During Medtrade Spring Joel Marx, chairman of the AAHomecare Board of Directors, welcomed Tim Hatt—director, Home Medical Equipment & Legislative Affairs, Wright & Filippis, Rochester Hills, Mich.—as the new chair and Andrea Stark, owner of MiraVista in Columbia, S.C., as the new vice chair of the Home Medical Equipment/Respiratory Therapy Council (HME/RT).

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 29, 2013—Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) and Rep. Renée Ellmers (R-N.C.) took issue with USA TODAY’S characterization of their work to fix Medicare’s absurdly designed bidding program.

LAS VEGAS, March 29, 2013—Medtrade proved to be a productive time for the American Association for Homecare councils. Specifically, the Complex Rehab and Mobility Council (CRMC) discussed progress and which direction AAHomecare should advocate for in the prior authorization (PA) demonstration project, legislative and policy problems related to competitive bidding, non-warranty repairs, and state Medicaid fee schedules.

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 20, 2013—The American Association for Homecare, the legislative advocacy organization representing the largest cross-section of home respiratory, mobility, infusion therapy and medical equipment companies nationwide, announces that Tyler Wilson will leave the organization as president and chief executive officer (CEO) in September 2013.

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 21, 2013—The American Association for HomeCare reports that Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) has sent a letter to CMS Acting Administrator Marilyn Tavenner expressing numerous concerns about the bidding program and requesting a timely response from the Agency. The letter was co-signed by 100 other Representatives in a strong bipartisan show of support for the well-being of Medicare patients and the home care sector.

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 14, 2013—Comment from AAHomecare President Tyler Wilson: “AAHomecare’s work on behalf of the home medical equipment community involves lobbying as well as regulatory advocacy and problem solving. The organization’s lobbying occurs primarily on Capitol Hill when we contact House and Senate lawmakers to discuss Medicare issues that affect DME.

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 14, 2013—AAHomecare is making a formal request to the Department of Health and Human Service’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) urging the investigative group to complete its congressionally-mandated assessment of the Medicare bidding program.

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 6, 2013—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has informed AAHomecare that Phase 2 of the Internet-based Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System (PECOS) will go into effect May 1, 2013. As of that date CMS will deny home medical equipment (HME), Part B, and Part A home health agency claims that are prescribed by health care professionals who are not enrolled in the PECOS system.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 27, 2013—The Medicare bidding program for Durable Medical Equipment (DME) is devastating small and large businesses in communities across the country. And Medicare beneficiaries—senior citizens and people living with disabilities—are being endangered because of delays in obtaining critical homecare equipment, such as oxygen therapy, power wheelchairs, and diabetic testing supplies.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 21, 2013—Recently announced Round 2 payment rates are so low that companies are taking extraordinary steps as they attempt to salvage at least some part of their health care practices. “Our Medicare business accounts for about 25-30 percent of my business in total sales. With the loss of that revenue, we will have to lay off at least five to eight employees,” said Mark Farmer, owner of Southwest Mobility, Inc.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 21, 2013—If you've reached your breaking point with CMS’ bidding program, the time to act is now! Make plans today to fly in to Washington, D.C., this Wednesday (Feb. 27) to meet with your members of Congress face-to-face. Your state association will help you to schedule the meetings and coordinate with other home care community stakeholders from your area.