2022 HME Cost of Delivery – The Survey Results Are In!

Published in Government Relations on May 11, 2022

VGM & Associates routinely monitors environmental factors which impact Home Medical Equipment (HME) providers and their ability to effectively provide their products and services to patients who need and rely on them. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the changes brought about by it, VGM Government surveyed our members last year regarding the costs associated with delivering HME. That survey was dubbed VGM’s 2021 Home Medical Equipment Delivery Cost Report (Click here to view the 2021 Delivery Cost Survey responses), and summarized responses from nearly 100 individual HME providers. Their responses demonstrated the total costs associated with providing equipment such as oxygen, hospital beds, mobility equipment, and more to patients’ homes both before and during the public health emergency.

Data received from both that 2021 survey and a similar one conducted by VGM in 2018, prior to the pandemic, has been eye opening for many, including officials at CMS, members of Congress, and our VGM members. This information was shared with and well-received by elected officials and other industry stakeholders, as it highlighted one of the sources of increased financial pressures on HME companies due to continuing pandemic issues.

Our industry providers play a critical, front-line role in patient care and minimizing hospitalizations. These same elected officials and stakeholders requested that VGM follow-up with questions relative to certain other PHE affiliated burdens which might affect access to appropriate patient service.

To that end, as a follow up to our 2021 survey, VGM has once again, for 2022, surveyed our members requesting updates of the costs of delivering home medical equipment as well as additional information relative to recent operational challenges such as supply change issues, employee wages, product acquisition cost increases, freight cost increases, and personal protective equipment (PPE). We also inquired as to the current wage levels of three common positions (delivery technician, billing personnel, and office staff) due to reports of required overtime, higher employee benefits packages, and difficulty maintaining sufficient staffing.

Click here to view the 2022 results. You will note we have again regionalized the responses by geographical area and have added a breakdown by company size: Small (1-10 employees), medium (11-50 employees), and large (+51 employees).

The data was sorted and arranged by Mark Higley, VP of regulatory affairs for VGM Government. He commented, “While I suspected the various costs and related factors in securing appropriate HME delivery services would increase – as compared to our previous two surveys – I underestimated the cumulative pressures on the business operations of these companies.” Higley continued, “I anticipated the higher vehicle expenses (due to the large fuel increases) but was rather stunned by the array of ancillary demands (e.g., supply chain, surcharges, freight, overtime, etc.) facing these most critical organizations serving the most cost-effective patient population.”

We greatly appreciate those that took the time to submit your survey responses.


TAGS

  1. dmepos
  2. hme
  3. vgm
  4. vgm government

From Our Experts

Senate Introduces Companion Bill to H.R. 2005: The DME Relief Act Gains Bipartisan Momentum thumbnail Senate Introduces Companion Bill to H.R. 2005: The DME Relief Act Gains Bipartisan Momentum In a significant development for the durable medical equipment (DME) industry and Medicare beneficiaries, the U.S. Senate has introduced S.2951, the companion legislation to H.R. 2005, known as the DMEPOS Relief Act of 2025. The Senate bill is being led by Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and has gained bipartisan support with Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) joining as a co-sponsor. The Government Has Shut Down... How Did We Get Here and What Does it Mean for Providers? thumbnail The Government Has Shut Down... How Did We Get Here and What Does it Mean for Providers? As expected, Democrats and Republican members of the Senate was unable to agree on terms in passing a continuing resolution (CR) ahead of the October 1st deadline, resulting in a government shutdown. But how did we get here? Take Action Today: Urge Congress To Oppose DMEPOS Bidding Expansion! thumbnail Take Action Today: Urge Congress To Oppose DMEPOS Bidding Expansion! A critical Congressional Sign-On Letter is now circulating in the House of Representatives, led by Reps. Neal Dunn (R-FL) and Greg Murphy (R-NC). This bipartisan letter calls on CMS to stop the proposed expansion of the durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program to include ostomy and urological supplies. Potential Government Shutdown and Telehealth Flexibilities Set to Expire thumbnail Potential Government Shutdown and Telehealth Flexibilities Set to Expire September 30 represents an important date for HME providers for two reasons: 1) The potential of a government shutdown and how that affects HHS and CMS, and 2) the expiration of Telehealth Flexibilities unless a Continuing Resolution (CR) is agreed upon in time. Meet The Candidates: Senate Hopeful Josh Turek Visits VGM Group To Champion Accessibility & Advocacy thumbnail Meet The Candidates: Senate Hopeful Josh Turek Visits VGM Group To Champion Accessibility & Advocacy Waterloo, IA — On Monday, VGM Group hosted the first of our “Meet The Candidate” forums by welcoming Iowa State Representative Josh Turek, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate seat soon to be vacated by Senator Joni Ernst. Advocacy In Action: VGM Group, NCART, & Industry Leaders Rally In D.C. To Defend CRT & HME Access thumbnail Advocacy In Action: VGM Group, NCART, & Industry Leaders Rally In D.C. To Defend CRT & HME Access Washington, D.C. – September 2025 — A powerful few days of advocacy wrapped up in the nation's capital as representatives from VGM Group, NCART, AAHomecare, and other key stakeholders in the Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) and Home Medical Equipment (HME) industries met with lawmakers to address urgent policy concerns. Igniting Champions Of Change During August Recess thumbnail Igniting Champions Of Change During August Recess This August recess, DME suppliers across the country seized the opportunity to engage with lawmakers and advocate for critical DMEPOS legislation. Their efforts are helping to build momentum and expand the network of congressional supporters. You Got The Contract! ...Now What?! Part 3: Contract Implementation thumbnail You Got The Contract! ...Now What?! Part 3: Contract Implementation Contract Implementation: Turning Agreements Into Revenue  Securing a contract is worth celebrating—but what happens next is just as critical. Do you have a structured process for implementation, or does the contract sit in your inbox waiting for an issue to arise? A robust implementation workflow is essential to ensure accurate and timely reimbursement and avoid preventable denials.