Thomas Ryan

Thomas Ryan is president and CEO of the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare), the national association that works to preserve and strengthen access to care for the millions of Americans who require medical care in their homes. Ryan has spent the last 25 years as president and CEO of Homecare Concepts Inc., a respiratory and home medical equipment company founded in Farmingdale, New York where he also serves as a village trustee. Ryan was a founding member and former chairman of the New York Medical Equipment Providers Association (NYMEP) and past chairman of the AAHomecare Board of Directors from 2005 to 2007. In addition, Tom has served as chair of the Region A Council, a multi-state council that works with the regional Medicare carriers and the Center for Medicare Services. Tom has also held board positions for the National Home Oxygen Patients Association (NHOPA) and St. Joseph’s Hospital, a member of Catholic Health System on Long Island. Tom holds a degree in Respiratory Therapy from New York University Medical Center/Bellevue Hospital and B.S. Degree in Health Administration from Saint John’s University in New York. Follow Tom on Twitter; @TomRyanHME

Jay Witter

Senior Vice President of Public Policy Jay Witter’s background encompasses over twenty years of legislative, political, and management experience.  Since joining AAHomecare over six years ago, Jay has worked to advance the Association’s legislative initiatives on Capitol Hill, as well as coordinate its political activities. As the senior lobbyist for the United American Nurses (UAN), AFL-CIO, Jay oversaw the organization’s legislative, regulatory, and political policies, procedures and positions.  During the 2008 presidential election, Jay worked with a majority of the candidates on pro-nurse policies and initiatives.  He was also appointed to Obama’s Health Care Policy Committee, as well as organized a “Nurses for Obama” campaign. Before joining UAN, Jay worked as Vice President of Government Relations at the American Chiropractic Association, Jay successfully worked with ACA members for the passage of six specific chiropractic bills into law over the six years he worked at the Association.  Jay has also worked on Capitol Hill for several members of the House of Representatives.  Jay possess’ a BA in Political Science and Masters of Public Administration.

Kim Brummett

Kim is currently employed with the American Association for Homecare (AAH) as the Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs.  In her position, Kim is responsible for interfacing with regulatory bodies; such as CMS and other government oversight agencies; the GAO and OIG on issues that affect membership. In addition, Kim has consulted as an expert witness and lobbies on interests of the industry.  Previously, Kim was employed with Advanced Home Care (AHC), a leading company providing Home Medical Equipment (HME), Infusion Therapy, Rehabilitation Equipment, and Home Health. In her seventeen year tenure she served as the Vice President of Regulatory and Contracting. She has participated in the growth of AHC from three branches to thirty in five states, managing reimbursement, non-clinical training, contracting and government relations. With a primary focus on compliance, strategic planning, contracting with institutional accounts and managed care payers, accounts receivable, order qualification, information technology (IT) and reimbursement, Kim has had direct accountability for all of reimbursement’s operational components. This includes verification, compliance through collections, coordination and implementation of software, and negotiation of managed care and institutional contracts.    Additionally, over the past 20 years, Kim has consulted nationally on reimbursement guidelines, operational process design, management and leadership skill development, IT solutions and utilization, and accounts receivable management. In total, Kim has been in the HME, Infusion and Home Health Industry since 1997. In addition to consulting, Kim is an active advocate, participant and volunteer in the industry.  Currently the Past Chairperson of the Jurisdiction C Advisory Council for CGS, she also serves as a Past President and board member of the North Carolina State Association for HME Providers now ACMESA; a member of the National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC) Advisory Committee, the Medtrade Educational Advisory Board; member of the Jurisdictional Councils for A, B, C, and D, member of the POE groups for Jurisdictions A, B, and D and the Past Chair of the Regulatory Council for AAHomecare. 

Laura Williard

Laura Williard is the vice president of payer relations for the American Association for Homecare. In this role, she has formed relationships with national payers including Anthem, TRICARE, the Defense Health Agency, AIM Sleep Management and CareCentrix, to have a greater impact on policy and operational changes for HME providers. She has consulted with legal staff on the impact of the CURES Bill and created reference materials and resources for the industry; and at the state level she has been a driving force to secure wins in several states who were following suit with Medicare reimbursement. Williard has served in the HME community for more than 24 years, most recently at Advanced Home Care as senior director of regulatory affairs, reimbursement compliance, and contracting. She has extensive experience working with managed care, Medicare advantage, MEDICAID MCOs, and state Medicaid programs.  Laura is very active in the state associations, serving on the board for GAMES, FAHCS, OAMES, HOMES, SCMESA, ACMESA, Payer Relations Co-Chair for KMESA, and Vice President for ATHOMES. She also served as the Vice Chair for the Jurisdiction C Medicare Council, and is a founding member of the Mediware User Group. Williard also participated as a member of the Palmetto 16 State Coalition Committee and sat on the Public Policy Committee of the Visiting Nurses Association of America, and both home health associations during her time at Advanced Home Care.  In addition to her industry involvement, Williard has previous experience managing a large reimbursement department with 150 employees and was responsible for all aspects of the revenue cycle. Follow Laura on Twitter; @WilliardLaura

David Chandler, MBA

David Chandler brings considerable experience to AAHomecare through multiple roles in sales, operations, reimbursement, and payer relations.  He was previously Director of Reimbursement & Government Affairs for Liberty Medical Specialties, an HME supplier with locations in North Carolina and South Carolina.   His service to the HME community includes a term as President of the Atlantic Coast Medical Equipment Services Association as well as board positions with several HME state associations including ADMEA, Great Lakes, and NEMEP.  He also served as Chairman of the Medicare Jurisdiction C Advisory Council and a member of AAHomecare’s Regulatory Council and State Leaders Council.  Chandler was elected to the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy/DME Subcommittee in 2016. Chandler is helping AAHomecare provide more support for our state and regional HME association partners in their engagement with state legislators, Medicaid authorities, and managed care organizations to maintain broad patient access.  His presence on the team also allows the Association to continue establishing relationships and developing strategies for representing HME interests with commercial and Medicare Advantage plans.

Alexis Ward

Alexis joined AAHomecare in 2023 as senior director of payer relations.  She has over 25 years of experience in the Complex Rehab Technology (CRT)/Complex Mobility sector of DME, most recently serving as Vice President of Payer Relations at National Seating & Mobility.  Although she has held various roles working for CRT providers – ranging from customer service to compliance officer to ATP, her expertise is centered on Medicaid & Commercial payer rate negotiations and coverage criteria.  Over the years she has served as an executive committee member and member of the board of directors for NCART as well as on the board of directors for the DME/CRT state associations in multiple states.  Alexis served as chair of the AAHomecare CRMC, was part of the AAHomecare Regulatory Council, was a member of the Medicare Jurisdiction C Advisory Council and has been recognized for outstanding customer solutions and consumer advocacy.   She has participated in consumer advocacy lobbying in Washington, DC for more than 10 years working to improve rates and coverage for CRT.

Ashley Plauché

Ashley Plauché is a passionate homecare advocate with a rich history in the HME Industry working for 18 years as a supplier, founding member and executive director for Tennessee HME association ATHOMES, and most recently as Director of Member & Public Relations at AAHomecare.  With a degree in communications and background in government relations, she works with suppliers, consumer groups, vested trade associations, and elected officials to preserve the HME benefit and ensure that homecare is a viable option for seniors and people with disabilities.  Ashley manages over a dozen volunteer member groups who work on advocacy and operational initiatives to enhance the HME benefit and serves as project manager for key strategic Association initiatives. A driving force for member outreach and engagement, Ashley co-authors member retention and recruitment communications and co-leads the national Grassroots Accountability Project to educate and activate Congress on Industry priorities.