Dear Colleague Letter Circulates Through Congress Seeking Support for DMEPOS 75/25 Blended Rate

Published in Government Relations on October 16, 2024

A new Dear Colleague letter, released this morning by Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Paul Tonko, and Randy Feenstra, is calling for the reestablishment of the Medicare 75/25 blended rate for durable medical equipment (DME) in non-rural, non-competitive bid areas for 2025.

Take Action Now!

This letter will remain open for signatures until the upcoming election. However, time is of the essence. Please reach out to your members of Congress today to ask them to show their support for the DME industry by reaching out to Rep. Miller-Meeks' staff or Rep. Tonko’s staff. Let them know that DME suppliers need fair reimbursement rates in order to provide Medicare beneficiaries with the supplies and services needed to heal in their home, not in the hospital.

How You Can Help:

Contact Your Member of Congress: Urge them to support the DME industry by reaching out to the staff of Rep. Miller-Meeks or Rep. Tonko.

Highlight the Importance: Emphasize that fair reimbursement rates are crucial for DME suppliers to provide Medicare beneficiaries with the necessary supplies and services to heal at home rather than in a hospital.

Contact Information:

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ Health Staff: Blake Thelander (blake.thelander@mail.house.gov)

Rep. Paul Tonko’s Health Staff: Emily Silverberg (emily.silverberg@mail.house.gov)

You can find your member of Congress’s contact information by clicking here and entering their details or your zip code. Call or email their office and ask them to support this important initiative.

From Our Experts

New Bipartisan Senate Bill Aims to Improve Access to Diabetes Technology & Education for Medicare Beneficiaries thumbnail New Bipartisan Senate Bill Aims to Improve Access to Diabetes Technology & Education for Medicare Beneficiaries U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME), Cochairs of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, have introduced the Diabetes Interventions Addressing Barriers to Enrollment, Technology, and Education Services (DIABETES) Act, S.4037. VGM Reintroduces the Fraud, Waste & Abuse Reporting Resource Center thumbnail VGM Reintroduces the Fraud, Waste & Abuse Reporting Resource Center VGM Government Relations is proud to announce the reintroduction of its Fraud, Waste & Abuse (FWA) Reporting Resource Center—a newly refreshed online hub designed to protect the integrity of the DMEPOS industry and reinforce our unwavering commitment to ethical, compliant care. Celebrating Another DME Champion of Change: Thom Harvill of Above and Beyond Medical thumbnail Celebrating Another DME Champion of Change: Thom Harvill of Above and Beyond Medical We're proud to once again recognize a true Champion of Change in the DME industry: Thom Harvill of Above and Beyond Medical in Tennessee. Thom has dedicated many years to the DME community—consistently showing up, speaking out, and pushing the industry forward. He's the kind of advocate who never stops asking, “Who else can I reach out to about this?” Federal Actions This Week Signal The Administration Is Doubling Down On Its Goal To Eliminate Fraud Waste And Abuse thumbnail Federal Actions This Week Signal The Administration Is Doubling Down On Its Goal To Eliminate Fraud Waste And Abuse This week, the Trump administration, through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), announced a significant deferral of federal Medicaid matching funds to Minnesota alongside the release of a new Request for Information (RFI) tied to the administration's Comprehensive Regulations to Uncover Suspicious Healthcare (CRUSH) initiative. These actions along with the changes to DMEPOS accreditation and enrollment signal the administration's aggressive posture on Medicaid and Medicare... VGM Response To CMS Moratorium On New DMEPOS Provider thumbnail VGM Response To CMS Moratorium On New DMEPOS Provider The federal moratorium on new DME suppliers presents a defining moment for us as an industry—an opportunity to demonstrate that the VGM members serving patients are the gold standard. We have long shown that our members operate with integrity, excellence in compliance, and unmatched commitment to service, efficiency, and patient outcomes. Now, we must elevate that message. Trump Administration Announces Nationwide DMEPOS Enrollment Moratorium thumbnail Trump Administration Announces Nationwide DMEPOS Enrollment Moratorium In a press release published on the CMS website Feb. 25, 2026, it was announced that CMS will implement a six-month moratorium on new enrollments for DMEPOS suppliers. Proposed LCD Changes to Impact Seat Elevation on Group 2 Non-Complex Power Wheelchair Bases thumbnail Proposed LCD Changes to Impact Seat Elevation on Group 2 Non-Complex Power Wheelchair Bases The DME Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) issued a proposed Local Coverage Determination (LCD) change for seat elevation use on group 2 non-complex power wheelchair bases (K0830, K0831 and K0108 on group 2 non-complex HD bases). John Quinlan Named 2026 Van G. Miller Homecare Champion thumbnail John Quinlan Named 2026 Van G. Miller Homecare Champion AAHomecare announced earlier this week that John Quinlan of Quinlan's Pharmacy in New York has been selected as the recipient of this year's Van G. Miller Award. John has been a valued VGM member for many years, and his leadership within the DMEPOS community has made a meaningful impact on patients, providers, and the industry as a whole. His commitment to quality care, patient access, and industry advocacy consistently sets him apart.