Congress Sneaks in Omnibus Package Just Before the Holidays

Published in Government Relations on December 20, 2022

As we are rounding out 2022, Congress has gifted the industry once more before the holidays. The language for the end-of-the-year package (omnibus) was released this morning, and it includes many sections that support the DME/HME industry. It includes all the following: 

  • Stop the PAYGO payment (4%) for 2023 
  • Section 4139 - Payment rates for durable medical equipment under the Medicare program  
  • Section 4113 - Advancing telehealth beyond COVID-19 (through Dec 31, 2024) 
  • Section 4139 - Extending Acute Hospital Care at Home waivers and flexibilities  
  • Section 4133 - Medicare Coverage of certain Lymphedema compression treatment  
  • Section 4136 - Technical amendments to Medicare separate payment for disposable negative pressure wound therapy devices 

Read the full Omnibus language

While we are pleased to see some of the provisions we as an industry pushed to have included in the omnibus language, nothing is guaranteed until after being voted upon by the Senate and House.  

VGM Government Relations will keep an eye out and report back to Congress’ decisions as the details are released. Thank you and good work to all our members that reached out, emailed, met with, and wrote to their legislators. 


TAGS

  1. hme
  2. legislation
  3. reimbursement
  4. vgm
  5. vgm government

From Our Experts

The PHE Is Over: What's Next? thumbnail The PHE Is Over: What's Next? In today's episode of Industry Matters, Mandi Joyner, Senior Director of Marketing at VGM & Associates, talks with three of VGM's payer, billing, and reimbursement experts Ronda Buhrmester, Dan Fedor, and Craig Douglas about the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) and what that means for members. Adam Miller and Tom Powers Attend Policy Forum in Washington D.C. thumbnail Adam Miller and Tom Powers Attend Policy Forum in Washington D.C. On Wednesday, May 10, the AOPA Policy Forum held in Washington D.C. brought together over 100 stakeholders, manufacturers, and practitioners in the field of orthotics and prosthetics (O&P). John Gallagher and Greg Packer Attend Successful Fly-In on Capitol Hill thumbnail John Gallagher and Greg Packer Attend Successful Fly-In on Capitol Hill On May 10, John Gallagher, VP of VGM Government Relations, and Greg Packer, President of U.S. Rehab, participated in the AAHomecare Fly-In event in Washington D.C. The purpose of their attendance was to discuss key industry issues with members of Congress and their staff. FAHCS Secures Major Victory for HME Industry in Florida thumbnail FAHCS Secures Major Victory for HME Industry in Florida FAHCS secures a significant victory for the HME industry in Florida with a 7.5% rate increase to Medicaid Fee Schedule. Washington Governor Signs SB 5218 to Remove Sales Tax From CRT Equipment thumbnail Washington Governor Signs SB 5218 to Remove Sales Tax From CRT Equipment On May 4 in Olympia, Washington, Governor Jay Inslee signed SB 5218 into effect. This bill exempts complex rehab technology (CRT) equipment from sales tax, making it more accessible and affordable for those in need of it. CMS Proposes New Rules to Strengthen Transparency and Access to Quality Care in Medicaid and CHIP Programs thumbnail CMS Proposes New Rules to Strengthen Transparency and Access to Quality Care in Medicaid and CHIP Programs CMS has released a two new proposed rules that look to strengthen transparency as well as access to quality care within the Medicaid and CHIP programs. One of the proposed rules is titled Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services and the other is Managed Care Access, Finance, and Quality. S. 1294, A Bill to Provide a 75/25 Blended Rate for Non-Rural, Non-CBA Supplier Has Been Introduced thumbnail S. 1294, A Bill to Provide a 75/25 Blended Rate for Non-Rural, Non-CBA Supplier Has Been Introduced S. 1294, a bill to provide a 75/25 blended rate for non-rural, non-CBA suppliers has been introduced. Now we ask that everyone reach out to their senators asking for their support of this crucial bill. Read more about the bill and see an easy way to reach out to your senators. Washington State Passes Bill Exempting Sales Tax on Complex Rehab Technology: A Testimony to the Power of Advocacy and Collaboration thumbnail Washington State Passes Bill Exempting Sales Tax on Complex Rehab Technology: A Testimony to the Power of Advocacy and Collaboration Congratulations to Don Whitney of Inland Medical and the PAMES state association, along with the entire state of Washington, on the recent passing of SB 5218.