Resources and Information
This is a resource page that holds all past and future webinars focused on COVID-19.
Previous Webinars
VGM Government PPP and EIDL Update
Tuesday, February 9 at 2 p.m. CT
Mark Higley and Craig Douglas from VGM will break down the funding that is available, who can get it, where they can go to get it, and the IMPROVED tax implications of receiving funding through these programs.
Click here to view the recording.
VGM Live at Home Virtual Town Hall Meeting
Tuesday, September 15 at 1 p.m. CDT
In bringing back our popular town hall format, we will give LAH members insight into what's going on in the home access industry and review how members are handling their business in the current climate. Members will be sharing the challenges they have faced and where they see the industry headed throughout the rest of the year. We will have our own inside expert on all government help programs and share with you all available options. We will have a national view from one of our leading manufacturers on the state of the industry as he sees it. And of course, we will leave time from questions and comments from attendees as any good town hall meeting should. Stay informed!
Click here to view the recording.
Essentially Women: Town Hall Meeting August 2020
Tuesday, August 25 at 11 a.m. CDT
Join us for the first Essentially Women Town Hall meeting. We'll have several panelists including the VGM Government Relations team to address any updates relating to the CARES Act and government programs. Also, hear from fellow EW members to learn how they handled the pandemic in their business: scheduling patients, staffing, and the 'new normal.' We know each state is a little different based on local recommendations, but there's so much to learn as we've all been forced to do business different in such a short time period.
Click here to view the recording.
Update on the HME Industry During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Thursday, August 13 at 2:00 p.m. CDT
The VGM Government and Regulatory Team have been dedicated to providing guidance and updates since the beginning of the pandemic. Please join us for an update to the COVID-19 pandemic and the HME industry.
Click here to watch the recording.
Click here to view the handout.
Live at Home Virtual Town Hall Meeting
Wednesday, May 27 at 10:00 a.m. CDT
Back by popular demand! Our virtual town hall meetings. Join us as we talk with James Philpott of Span-America, Dan Corcoran from Vets Access, Joseph Chevraux of JTEK Solutions, and Joel Brenner with Next Day Access. Each will take 5 minutes to share how their business has been effected, safeguards put in place, how business is impacted in different area of the country, and tips to survive in this environment.
This is a chance to see how other are working through this unprecedented business climate. Let’s get through this thing TOGETHER.
Click here to watch the recording.
COVID-19 Reimbursement Panel Discussion UNCUT
Thursday, April 30, 2020 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. CDT
"Uncut" Panelists: Ronda Buhrmester (VGM & Associates), Craig Douglas (VGM & Associates), Dan Fedor (U.S. Rehab), Wayne van Halem (The van Halem Group)
Let’s CUT to the chase about the COVID-19 impact on HME reimbursement with an UNCUT panel discussion.
Topics Include:
Documentation
NCD/LCD Policy Changes
Telehealth and HIPAA
Federal Financial Support
Fee Schedule Changes
Anything else you want to ask!
Come "see us" virtually to get all your questions answered AND get clarification on those you are unsure about.
Click here to view the recording.
Handout
COVID-19 Update: What Essentially Women Members Need to Know
Tuesday, April 28, 2020 | 1 p.m. CDT
Presenters: Nikki Jensen, Ronda Buhrmester, Craig Douglas and Mark Higley
As we all navigate social distancing and how COVID-19 has impacted our businesses and our personal lives, Essentially Women is here to keep you up to date. Let’s get together to discuss in more detail the issues that matter to Essentially Women the most.
Click here to view the recording.
Slide Deck
Town Hall Meeting for VGM Live at Home Members
Friday, April 24, 2020 | 1 p.m CDT
In the last month, we have all had our businesses, and whole world, turned upside down. We believe that by working together, we can help each other get through this tough time.
Members Vern Martell from Safe Living Solutions in South Carolina; Gregg Frank from Back Home Safely in New Jersey; and Paul Bergantino from Lifeway Mobility in Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, and Minnesota, along with VGM partners Scott Crosswhite from EZ-ACCESS and Todd Bick from Harmar came together to share how their business has been effected, safeguards put in place, how business is impacted in different area of the country, and tips to survive in this environment.
Click here to view the recording.
Federal Financial Support to Help Suppliers Keep Their Doors Open
Wednesday, April 22, 2020 | 1:00 p.m. CDT
Presenters: Dan Fedor and Greg Packer of U.S. Rehab; Craig Douglas and Mark Higley of VGM Government Relations
The Federal Government has initiated 4 prongs of financial support for HME suppliers to ensure they can remain open and continue taking care of patients. They realize just how important HME suppliers are in the mix to keep patients at home or get patients home that are in a nursing home/hospital and have included HME suppliers in the relief to support this cause. This webinar focuses on the 4 prongs of Federal Financial Support that is available and how to access it if needed.
Click here to listen to the recording.
Handouts:
You can also click here to find all the appropriate links regarding the HHS stimulus payments, the Paycheck Protection Program, the EIDL loans, and more.
Billing & Reimbursement Update in the COVID-19 Environment
Thursday, April 9, 2020 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. CDT
Presenters: Ronda Buhrmester (VGM & Associates), Craig Douglas (VGM & Associates), Dan Fedor (U.S. Rehab)
As updates are gathered related to Medicare and other payers (Medicaid and commercial) for the reimbursement area, we felt that this is of high priority for our VGM and U.S. Rehab members. During this webinar, the discussion will include acceptable documentation requirements for new and existing patients (repairs and replacements) including the use of telehealth – face to face encounter with the treating practitioner - and handling proof of delivery documentation, as it pertains to all types of DME suppliers. There will also be discussion on providing virtual education for the respiratory patients, like CPAP and oxygen equipment as well as other home medical equipment. For the CRT supplier, discussion will include ATP assessments and LCMP specialty evaluations being handled virtually – what is acceptable during this state of emergency declaration. This particular webinar will host three of VGM & U.S. Rehabs experts in the reimbursement area including Ronda, Craig, and Dan.
Click here to listen to the recording.
Handouts:
State of the Industry: The Latest on COVID-19
Tuesday, April 7, 2020 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. CDT
Presenters: VGM Government Relations
The VGM Government team provided attendees with the latest on COVID-19 and how it is currently affecting the HME industry. Our experts discussed topics that matter to you, including:
- Update on SBA loans
- Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
- IFR – Coronavirus Waivers and Flexibility
- PPE update
Special guests also joined this webinar from Sen. Joni Ernst’s (R-IA) office. Staff members Justin Jensen and Tyler Brown provided information and answered questions about the Small Business loans. Senator Ernst sits on the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship and is the Senate Majority Vice Chair.
Click here to listen to the recording.
COVID-19 & HME: Chapter 2 - An Update on CMS's Interim Final Rule and Other HME Policy Changes
Tuesday, April 7, 2020 | 12:00 p.m. CDT (1:00 p.m. EDT)
Hosted by: American Association for HomeCare; Brown & Fortunato, PC; HME News; Lieber Consulting; and The van Halem Group, A Division of VGM
Late on March 30, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released three important documents relaxing many requirements to facilitate providing care to Medicare beneficiaries in their homes during the current COVID-19 public health emergency. Join industry leaders to get the latest information about these changes.
Click here to listen to the recording.
COVID-19 & HME: A Dialogue — What we know and what we don’t know
Thursday, March 26, 2020 | 1:00-2:00 p.m. EDT
Presenters: The van Halem Group, Brown & Fortunato, AAHomecare, and Lieber Consulting
As everyone knows, in today’s COVID-19 emergency, things are changing by the minute. HME providers are on the front line of patient care and are serving an invaluable role in keeping patients out of hospitals. Join industry leaders to get the latest information at the federal level, as well as the state and local levels.In this webinar, you will get the latest facts to help you and your employees effectively manage through this COVID-19 pandemic. You’ll also learn what changes will be coming soon.
Click here to watch the recording.
VGM Government Lunch Bucket
Wednesday, March 25, 2020 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. CDT
Presenters: VGM Government Relations
The VGM Government team is coming together to provide attendees with an update on COVID-19 and how it is currently affecting the HME industry. Our experts will discuss topics that matter to you, including:
- Legislative update and coronavirus updates from John Gallagher, VP of Government Relations.
- Benchmarking and competitive bidding updates from Mark Higley, VP of Regulatory Affairs.
- Payer relations news from Craig Douglas, VP of Payer Relations and Ronda Buhrmester, Senior Director of Payer Relations and Reimbursement.
Changes are constant in our industry; we want to make sure DME suppliers will have the tools necessary to navigate through any challenges.
Click here to watch the recording.
Home Delivery, Billing, and Sales in a COVID-19 Environment
Friday, March 20, 2020 | 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. CDT and 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m. CDT
Presenters: Ronda Buhrmester (VGM & Associates), Ty Bello (Team At Work Coaching), Laura Williard (AAHomecare)
Just like supply chain preparedness, medical equipment suppliers that go to homes need to be prepared and take steps to maintain best practices for home delivery, billing, and sales in a COVID-19 Environment.
What do external stakeholders need to know about our cleaning policies and procedures? What are the precautions we need to take to mitigate exposure and compromised scenarios for our delivery and clinical staff that are in the homes of patients?
We must also be prepared for limited access to the medical referral community. How will we stay top of mind, while adhering to closed access? What best practices can our sales team execute during this time? What can be done to ensure the submission of claims continues so the cash flow isn’t impacted?
Click on the webinar links below to listen to Ronda Buhrmester, Ty Bello, and Laura Williard as they answer these questions.
Handouts:
CRT Industry COVID-19 Update
Thursday, April 2, 2020 | 3:00 p.m. CDT
The COVID-19 virus is presenting significant challenges in all aspects of life, including the safe and timely provision of Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) and supporting services. This initial webinar will provide an update for CRT providers, manufacturers, and clinicians allowing for information sharing and open discussion. We’ll cover what is currently known, what is being pursued, and what lies ahead. The presentation is sponsored by NCART, NRRTS, U.S. Rehab, and the Clinician Task Force.
Thursday, April 9, 2020 | 3:00 p.m. CDT
Thursday, April 16, 2020 | 2:00 p.m. CDT
Thursday, April 23, 2020 | 3:00 p.m. CDT
Thursday, April 30, 2020 | 3:00 p.m. CDT
Thursday, May 5, 2020 | 3:00 p.m. CDT
Thursday, May 14 | 3:00 p.m. CDT
Thursday, May 28 | 3:00 p.m. CDT
Thursday, June 11 at 3:00 p.m. CDT
Thursday, June 25 at 3:00 p.m. CDT
Thursday, July 23 at 3:00 p.m. CDT
Thursday, August 20 at 3 p.m. CDT
Thursday, October 1 at 3 p.m. CDT
Thursday, November 12 at 3 p.m. CDT
Tuesday, December 15 at 3 p.m. CT
Thursday, January 14 at 3 p.m. CT
Tuesday, February 16 at 3 p.m. CT