Skip to main content

VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO

Search GO

Search GO

VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO LEARN ABOUT VGM

Disaster Preparedness: Know The Dollars and Cents of Disaster

Published in Government Relations on December 08, 2022

This article was originally featured in HME News.

Q. What expenses do most providers incur during a disaster?

A. Last month, the Emergency Preparedness Committee, along with VGM Government Relations and AAHomecare, surveyed DMEPOS suppliers regarding all the overlooked expenses associated with a disaster.

The intention of the survey is to illustrate the number of dollars and additional expenses incurred before, during and after a disaster to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CMS and state/federal emergency groups. Due to unforeseen disasters, suppliers incur increased financial expenses that are not recouped by any insurance and often not reimbursed by federal or state disaster aid.

The findings from the survey showed that the majority of suppliers report a more than 25% cost increase due to a disaster.

More than 80% report having to make additional deliveries prior to and immediately after a disaster to keep up with patient needs.
More than 60% report an increase in their delivery radius by up to 50 miles to service patients in preparation for and after a disaster and its aftermath.
And almost all report that deliveries take an additional 50% of their time in these times of need.
The survey also showed that most suppliers experienced increased expenses not covered by insurance, including:
Lost, damaged, destroyed equipment (87%)
Time spent researching updates from federal/local governmental agencies (75%)
Time and resources preparing for the disaster (71%)
Communication efforts (64%)
Technology and equipment for remote staff access (64%)
Equipping vehicles/tires for DMEPOS deliveries/pickups (54%)

Findings from the survey are being compiled and sent to CMS. Our hope is to show CMS there is a significant need for additional reimbursement, as well as regulation leniency, during a disaster.

We greatly appreciate the suppliers who took the time to complete the survey.

Do not forget, there are many disaster resources available to you on the committee’s website: https://www.vgm.com/services/government-relations/resource-center/emergency-preparedness-for-home-medical-equipment-suppliers-committee/  

Emily Harken is director of operations for VGM Government Relations. Reach her at emily.harken@vgm.com.

TAGS

From Our Experts

Manufacturer Survey On Tariffs thumbnail

Manufacturer Survey On Tariffs The American Association for Homecare and VGM Group are seeking valuable insights from durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) manufacturers and vendor partners regarding tariffs imposed on certain countries.

Key Payers Denied Your Application Citing Their Network Is Closed – Now What? thumbnail

Key Payers Denied Your Application Citing Their Network Is Closed – Now What? This experience has increasingly become one of the most common questions we receive from our provider members as more and more payers move to narrow their provider networks. The reasons payers seek to narrow their networks are simple. Payers are highly motivated to achieve their goals while doing less work and are not required to allow providers into their networks unless there is a patient access issue. For those of you fortunate enough to be a part of a narrow network, this may not be much of

Congress Returns: Medicaid Cuts Take Center Stage thumbnail

Congress Returns: Medicaid Cuts Take Center Stage Congress is back in session after a two-week recess. Number one on the docket is figuring out the budget. The house is tasked with coming up with a $1.5 trillion reduction and a key committee is in the spotlight.

The DMEPOS Relief Act Of 2025 – WE NEED YOUR HELP! thumbnail

The DMEPOS Relief Act Of 2025 – WE NEED YOUR HELP! The DMEPOS Relief Act of 2025 (or H.R. 2005) is bipartisan legislation that was recently introduced in Congress designed to increase reimbursement for a large percentage of HME providers across the country. This bill establishes a higher reimbursement rate (known as the 75/25 blended rate) for durable medical equipment in nonrural/noncompetitive bidding areas under Medicare until Dec. 31, 2025.

Champion Of Change: Lauryn Estrella Speaks On Tariffs Impacting HME Providers And Patients thumbnail

Champion Of Change: Lauryn Estrella Speaks On Tariffs Impacting HME Providers And Patients Today, we shine a spotlight on Lauryn Estrella, the dedicated Executive Director of Home Medical Equipment and Services Association of New England (HOMES) and a true Champion of Change in the HME industry.

Ensuring Access To Care: The Fight For Permanent Telehealth Flexibilities thumbnail

Ensuring Access To Care: The Fight For Permanent Telehealth Flexibilities Americans utilizing telehealth services to access healthcare is at an all-time high. It's a convenient method without having to leave the home, giving access to healthcare professionals from anywhere. It expands a patient's choice of provider and enables the provider the ability to see more patients.

SOAR Act Takes Flight: Bipartisan Push To Improve Supplemental Oxygen Access And Medicare Protections thumbnail

SOAR Act Takes Flight: Bipartisan Push To Improve Supplemental Oxygen Access And Medicare Protections The Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act has been reintroduced in both the House and Senate. In the House, the bipartisan H.R. 2902 was introduced by Representatives David Valadao (R-CA), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Adrian Smith (R-NE), and Gabe Evans (R-CO). Meanwhile, in another show of bipartisan support, S1406, was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).

Melanie Ewald Joins VGM Government Relations Team As VP Of Payer Relations And Reimbursement thumbnail

Melanie Ewald Joins VGM Government Relations Team As VP Of Payer Relations And Reimbursement VGM Government Relations is proud to announce the addition of Melanie Ewald as Vice President Of Payer Relations And Reimbursement.

Give your business an advantage over the competition.

Become a Member