AAHomecare Joins Coalition Effort to Extend CARES Act Medicare Relief Suppliers Encouraged to Reinforce Message on Capitol Hill

AAHomecare has joined a coalition of 27 major healthcare groups asking Congress to extend the moratorium on the 2% Medicare “sequestration” cuts through the duration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE).  Congress paused these cuts as part of broad-based COVID-19 relief granted in the CARES Act in March, but only through December 2020.

In...

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CMS Removes Most Product Categories from CB Round 2021 and Publishes DMEPOS Proposed Rule

Tuesday evening, CMS announced that there will be no Round 2021 competitive bidding contracts awarded for product categories bid in this round, with the exception of Off-The-Shelf (OTS) Back Braces and OTS Knee Braces. Winning bidders for OTS back and knee braces will have until Nov. 10 to respond to the contract offer(s). See CMS' announcement on this significant Round 2021 change for...

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41 House Members Ask CMS to Exclude CRT Accessories from Bidding-Derived Pricing

Strong advocacy efforts by mobility providers helped convince 41 members of the House of Representatives to join a Congressional sign-on letter asking CMS to permanently exclude manual CRT accessories from bidding-derived pricing.

The letter, spearheaded by long-time CRT champions John Larson (D-Conn.) and Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y) states that Congress has previously passed language with clear intent that power...

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AAHomecare has been working tirelessly to alleviate the pandemic’s impact on companies like American Association For Homecare by working with Medicare, Medicaid, and 3rd party payers to secure financial relief and relax requirements for HME suppliers as evidenced by our COVID-19 HME achievements. However, our work is far from over, and AAHomecare is driving efforts to make many of these improved policies apply on a permanent basis, including:

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When payer issues arise, AAHomecare member Ryan Bullock knows where to turn.   Ryan is the chief operating officer for Aeroflow Healthcare headquartered in North Carolina. In addition to being responsible for organizational operations across his company’s ten locations, he is actively involved in AAHomecare’s Medical Supplies Council and vice chair of the Payer Relations Council.   The collective power of influence the Association has with payers has positively affected...

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Competitive Bidding Delay Sign-on Letter at 80 Names; Still Time to Build Support Today - Quick Action Needed!

We’ve received an unofficial count of 80 Representatives having joined the Congressional sign-on letter urging CMS to delay implementation of CB Round 2021 for at least one year.  

We're told the letter will close at noon today (Eastern time) - so please act now if you want to help make one more push.

Here’s some related materials to...

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HME Heroes: COVID-19 Edition

As the nation battles COVID-19, Home Medical Equipment (HME) providers are partnering with hospitals and health departments to meet the medical needs of their communities.  The extent of this public health emergency is unprecedented in modern time, but the HME Industry is no stranger to rising to provide critical support and services in times of crisis.  

While most of America shelters in place, HME providers answer the call of essential service...

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Overview of Payer Relief Fund Requirements and Disbursement Procedures

The Provider Relief Fund was established through the CARES Act that was signed into law on March 27, 2020 that allotted $100 billion for health care providers impacted by COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. In the month since the passage of the law, the Department of Health and Human Services has dispersed some of the funds and made several announcements on the remaining funds that are going to be dispersed. In addition, last...

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AAHomecare Accepting Board of Director Nominations

AAHomecare is currently accepting nominations for four open positions on the Board of Directors. In order to be nominated, you must be an AAHomecare member in good standing.  Members of the Board of Directors are leaders in the industry. As a director of AAHomecare, you are expected to be available to other members to answer questions about AAHomecare activities and to recruit new members. A full list of legal responsibilities of Board...

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HME-Related language in COVID-19 Stimulus Legislation (HR 748) Non-Bid Area Relief (Rural and Non-Rural)

SEC. 3712. REVISING PAYMENT RATES FOR DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT UNDER THE MEDICARE PROGRAM THROUGH DURATION OF EMERGENCY PERIOD. 

(a) RURAL AND NONCONTIGUOUS AREAS.—The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall implement section 414.210(g)(9)(iii) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation), to apply the transition rule described in such...

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