Person Protective Equipment Shortage

Published in Member Communities on April 07, 2020

With mask being in limited supply, HME suppliers are scrambling to find masks and are often taking anything they can find. VGM is continuing our efforts to obtain, source, and/or uncover opportunities for our members as it relates to PPE offerings. We are in contact with our contracted vendor and distribution partners on a routine basis to get updates. We request and are provided updates with allocation procedures specific to distribution of these critical items. VGM posts this information where applicable on our website for all vendor partner updates. VGM’s focus is assisting the frontline workers in desperate need of these necessary items to function in a healthcare setting.

Letter From 3M Regarding Fraudulent Activity and Counterfeit Products: 3M recently put out this letter warning consumers of fraudulent activity with their respirators. Examples include people misrepresenting themselves as being affiliated with 3M or having authentic 3M products to sell.

From Our Experts

Staffing Ratios and Compensation Insights for U.S. Rehab Members and CRT Dealers thumbnail Staffing Ratios and Compensation Insights for U.S. Rehab Members and CRT Dealers This report provides insights into team structures and pay for key roles like ATPs, service technicians, and billing personnel. Marketing: Embrace the Happy Customer thumbnail Marketing: Embrace the Happy Customer In today's hyper-connected world, customer satisfaction isn't just a metric—it's a marketing engine. A Letter From the President: July 2025 thumbnail A Letter From the President: July 2025 From evolving reimbursement models to the complexities of competitive bidding, the landscape continues to shift beneath our feet, but VGM is here for you. How the June 2025 MedPAC Report Shapes the Future of HME thumbnail How the June 2025 MedPAC Report Shapes the Future of HME The June 2025 Report to Congress from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) offers critical insights into the evolving landscape of Medicare services. While the report does not focus exclusively on home medical equipment (HME) or durable medical equipment (DME), several areas touch on themes that are highly relevant to the industry's future—particularly around home health care, Medicare Advantage (MA), and supplemental benefits. Balancing Costs and Growth: Williams Bros.' Strategies for Success thumbnail Balancing Costs and Growth: Williams Bros.' Strategies for Success Williams Bros. has been adept at managing the complexities of business expenses, improving margins, and mitigating lost opportunities. Navigating the New CMS Landscape with the HMV and RAD Decision Memo for COPD thumbnail Navigating the New CMS Landscape with the HMV and RAD Decision Memo for COPD Ronda Buhrmester, Sr. Director of Payer Relations and Reimbursement, shares insights on the newly finalized National Coverage Determination (NCD) for home mechanical ventilation (HMV) and respiratory assist devices (RAD). Balancing Costs and Growth: Williams Bros.' Strategies for Success thumbnail Balancing Costs and Growth: Williams Bros.' Strategies for Success Williams Bros. has been adept at managing the complexities of business expenses, improving margins, and mitigating lost opportunities. Balancing Costs and Growth: Williams Bros.' Strategies for Success thumbnail Balancing Costs and Growth: Williams Bros.' Strategies for Success Williams Bros. has been adept at managing the complexities of business expenses, improving margins, and mitigating lost opportunities.