WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 23, 2018)—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it has released the comments submitted by patients, clinicians, innovators and others in response to the CMS Innovation Center’s New Direction Request for Information (RFI).
Via CMS, WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 3, 2018)—Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized polices for Medicare health and drug plans for 2019 that will save Medicare beneficiaries money on prescription drugs while offering additional plan choices.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 22, 2018)—The Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) today released a new report that highlights the urgent need for policymakers to reform Medicare’s outdated payment methodology. The report outlines how the current payment system, called the competitive bidding program (CBP), restricts patients’ access to the oxygen and medical equipment they need, despite the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) best intentions.
Via CMS, WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 6, 2018)—Today, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma announced a new Trump Administration initiative—MyHealthEData—to empower patients by giving them control of their health care data, and allowing it to follow them through their health care journey.
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.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—CMS is soliciting nominations for technical expert panels (TEP) for its measure development and maintenance contractors. The project’s overall objective is to develop episode-based cost measures suitable for potential use in the Quality Payment Program.
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:
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:
Tax on Medical Devices to Resume After 2-year Suspension
While much of corporate America will enjoy a tax cut in the new year, one industry is getting a tax increase it has fought hard, but so far unsuccessfully, to avoid. (Associated Press/CNBC)
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. (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.
WATERLOO, Iowa (December 19, 2017)—Home for the holidays takes on many meanings this time of year. Families and friends gather from near and far to celebrate the season with loved ones. Stories shared. Songs sung. Food and festivities are all around.
—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. (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.
