VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO
Full Menu Search

Durable Medical Equipment Community Emergency Response Committee Established. Please Complete Survey!

Published in Government Relations on October 21, 2021

DME Community Emergency ResponseEarlier this year, southern states like Texas and Oklahoma were hit with an unexpected winter storm that left many, including patients reliant on oxygen and other powered DME, without power for days.  That’s when HME state associations, VGM, and industry leaders stepped in to begin establishing processes are needed to assist beneficiaries in their time of need. Emergency Preparedness for Home Medical Equipment Suppliers Committee was established to address these issues. The goal of the newly established group is to bring awareness to federal and state emergency management groups of the need for breathing and mobility devices during a natural disaster. The committee also aims to put together a roadmap or toolkit for DME suppliers to follow in these emergency situations.

Emergency Preparedness Committee Members Include:

  • Dawn Seek - MNCHA
  • Larry Dalton - OMEPA
  • Beth Bowen - ACMESA/ATHOMES/NEMEP/FAHCS
  • Bob Achermann - CAMPS
  • Rose Schafhauser - MAMES/SWMESA
  • Victoria Peterson - TexMEP
  • Mike Calcaterra - Big Sky AMES/PAMES
  • Chris Townsend- FAHCS
  • John Gallagher and Emily Harken of VGM

The group has already met with Tangita Daramola, the Competitive Acquisition Ombudsman for CMS, as well as other CMS officials in an effort to connect with larger audiences at the federal level, bringing awareness of DMEPOS communities’ importance and needs during an emergency.

In order for effective changes to be made, we need to hear from you! Please take a minute to answer the 10 question survey below regarding your experiences during a disaster. The information will be collected and sent to appropriate officials who may be able to assist in improved processes and programs.

The survey closes on November 11.

TAGS

  1. state association
  2. vgm government

Get Connected

Stay up-to-date on the latest resources and news provided by VGM & Associates.

Sign Up for Email

From Our Experts

The PHE Will End May 11 thumbnail The PHE Will End May 11 President Biden has announced that the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) will officially end on May 11, 2023. Tom Powers Visit Washington D.C. thumbnail Tom Powers Visit Washington D.C. With the start of the 118th Congress and all members of Congress returning to D.C., VGM Government Relations' Tom Powers headed to Capitol Hill. OIG Recommends 'High/Low Reward' Strategy on Intermittent Catheters thumbnail OIG Recommends 'High/Low Reward' Strategy on Intermittent Catheters In this episode of Industry Matters, Alan Morris, Director of Research and Strategy for VGM Government Relations, and John Gallagher, VP of VGM Government Relations, talk with Brian Leitten from Leitten Consulting, about a new study, "OIG Recommends 'High Risk/Low Reward' Strategy on Intermittent Catheters." The study looks at concerns and costs associated with reducing access to urinary catheters. Additional HCPCS Codes Added to F2F/WOPD Required List thumbnail Additional HCPCS Codes Added to F2F/WOPD Required List On Jan. 14, 2023, CMS released a public notice CMS-6088-N, adding 10 more HCPCS codes to the F2F/WOPD Required List. Ronda Vlog: Recent Updates to the New Oxygen Policy thumbnail Ronda Vlog: Recent Updates to the New Oxygen Policy Listen below as Ronda Buhrmester, Sr. Director of Payer Relations and Reimbursement gives the latest update on the new oxygen policy. Republicans Announce New Members on Key Committees thumbnail Republicans Announce New Members on Key Committees On Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, the United States House Republican Select Committee met to announce the new Republican members appointed to various committees in the House. For the DME industry, there are three key committees of justification to work with. PHE Renewed for Another 90 Days Pushing it to April 2023 thumbnail PHE Renewed for Another 90 Days Pushing it to April 2023 On Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra announced an extension of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). This extension will take us to April 2023. Be sure to read how this will effect the industry. President Biden Signs Omnibus Bill Two Days Before The New Year thumbnail President Biden Signs Omnibus Bill Two Days Before The New Year Yesterday, Dec. 29, 2023, President Biden signed the end-of-year omnibus bill. Within this bill, there is a language for the DMEPOS industry.

Give your business an advantage over the competition.

Become a Member