WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 18, 2018)—The June 15 release of MedPAC’s report to Congress on Medicare and the health care delivery system represents another missed opportunity by the Commission to address the serious problems with Medicare’s competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment (DME) as well as the disastrous application of bidding-derived pricing to rural and other less-populous communities, stated the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare).
Tom Ryan
CMS Provider Compliance Group provides insight during keynote speech.
Tom Ryan (left) of AAHomecare presented Doug Coleman with the Mal Mixon Award
Fee increase and beneficiary cost sharing noted as points to watch.
By Kristin Easterling
(May 10, 2018)—After months of advocacy from AAHomecare and other industry stakeholders, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and CMS have cleared the Interim Final Rule related to HME (CMS-1687-IFC) to increase fee schedule rates for certain DME items and services through 2018. Language in the recent Omnibus bill also urged the Administration to release the rule and move on relief for rural providers.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 7, 2018)—The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) has retained Brown & Fortunato, P.C., a Texas-based law firm with a national health care practice, to provide a range of legal and advisory services. Longtime HME advocate Cara Bachenheimer, who is set to join Brown & Fortunato on June 1, will be taking a leading role in this engagement, providing General Counsel support on regulatory, legislative and Association governance fronts.
Interim Final Rule and bidding reform dominate talks.
Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 11, 2018)—AAHomecare met with HHS Deputy Secretary Eric Hargan and other HHS/CMS officials to discuss the status of HME-related regulations and policy. AAHomecare’s Tom Ryan and Jay Witter were joined in the meeting by Cara Bachenheimer of Invacare and Christian Springer of Foley Hoag. Principal subjects addressed included:
Congress asks CMS to implement IFR.
Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 22, 2018)—Congressional leaders have concluded negotiations on omnibus legislation, and have just released bill text that Congress will vote on this week. While the legislative text does not include provisions from HR 4229, Capitol Hill sources have shared report language accompanying the bill that reaffirms Congressional interest in providing relief for rural suppliers, as noted on page 49 of the report section related to HHS:
WASHINGTON, D.C.(January 24, 2018)—The Senate confirmed the nomination of Alex Azar as head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday.
The Senate voted 55–43 in favor of Azar’s appointment.
Azar is a veteran of HHS, having served for two years as the deputy secretary, and prior to that as general counsel of the department. From 2012–2017, Azar was head of the U.S. division of Eli Lilly and Company, a pharmaceuticals manufacturer.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 24, 2018)—This afternoon, the U.S. Senate confirmed Alex Azar to serve as Secretary of the Dept. of Health & Human Services by a vote of 55–43.
Statement on today's confirmation from Tom Ryan, president and CEO of the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare):
States now have through December 31, 2018 to work out guidelines.
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 14, 2017)—Last week, the AAHomecare Board of Directors approved the following changes to the Board and Executive Committee:
Statement from Tom Ryan
WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 14, 2017)— Statement of Tom Ryan, AAHomecare president and CEO, on the nomination of Alex Azar as Secretary of the Dept. of Health & Human Services:
Legislative action moves forward in the District.
ATLANTA (October 25, 2017)—AAHomecare president Tom Ryan challenged the HME community to keep up their efforts to advocate for industry policy priorities in his remarks at a lively Washington Update kicking off Medtrade’s program on Tuesday.
Focus remains on competitive bidding reform.
ATLANTA (October 24, 2017)—American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) team members expressed empathy and optimism on day two of Medtrade at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
“When I see people going out of business after 30 years, 20 years—second and third generation—it gets to me,” said Tom Ryan, president and CEO, AAHomecare, during the organization’s Washington Update on Tuesday morning. “It gets to our team. That’s why we fight every day.”
Targets were exceeded, AAHomecare seeks additional participation in all categories.
—Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 24, 2017)—While response totals for all three categories in the survey on patient access to HME have significantly surpassed our original targets, the survey remains open for additional participation from HME patients, case managers/discharge planners, as well as providers.
Operating environment for providers who depend on Medicare remains exceptionally challenging
HME competitive bid data was not included in the update.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 29, 2017)—CMS released proposed 2018 changes to End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System and related kidney/renal disease regulations.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 13, 2017)—Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare is taking on an expanded leadership role in the home medical equipment (HME) sector by becoming the only HME manufacturer supporting the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) as a Platinum-level partner, the highest sponsorship category for the Association.
Meet the new board members.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 31, 2017)—At the Association’s annual membership meeting at this year’s Washington Legislative Conference, AAHomecare elected new leadership, installing Steve Ackerman (CEO, Spectrum Medical, Inc.—Silver Spring, Md.) as chairman of the Board. Other officers elected include:
The press for long-term relief continues.
—Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 10, 2017)—AAHomecare continues to press the case for longer-term relief for rural and non-bid area providers, as well as for significant structural improvements to the Competitive Bidding Program with Federal regulators.
Leadership walked away encouraged and ready to move forward.
—Via AAHomecare WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 5, 2017)—On Tuesday afternoon, AAHomecare president Tom Ryan, Jay Witter, AAHomecare senior vice president of public affairs, Cara Bachenheimer, senior vice president of government relations with Invacare, and Thomas Barker, an attorney recently engaged by the Association, met with CMS Administrator Seema Verma and Deputy Administrator Demetrios Kouzoukas, as well as several other HHS and CMS staffers.