VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO
Full Menu Search

How FEMA Can Help DMEPOS Businesses Prep for Natural Disasters

Published in Government Relations on July 25, 2024

Disaster Preparedness | News & Resources

Last month, representatives of the durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) community attended a virtual meeting hosted by the CMS Competitive Acquisition Ombudsman, Tangita Daramola. She also introduced the FEMA Director of Disability Integration and Coordination, Sherman Gilliums, Jr. and Kristen Finney (with ASPR), who shared important perspectives on how the lack of energy impacts access to durable medical equipment (DME) and patient care. Associates from the Red Cross also attended.

The goal was to showcase the DMEPOS community as key players in the event of a disaster. Attendees shared their real-life experiences providing life-saving DME before, during, and after a disaster and helped to demonstrate the vital need for engagement with emergency support in the event of hurricanes, tornados, ice storms, and other natural disasters. They also discussed the lack of reimbursement and resources available to DME providers during a disaster. The goal was to promote future collaboration before natural disasters occur.

The DMEPOS supplier representatives were Victoria Peterson of RespMed, Mark Gowen of Angel Medical, Larry Dalton of Advanced Care Medical, Kimberly Rogers Bowers of Apria, Kim Brummett and Mina Uerha of AAHomecare, and John Gallagher and Emily Harken of VGM. Natural disaster season is in full swing. Now is a great time to brush up on your natural disaster/emergency preparedness tools and resources.

FEMA Introduces New Tool for Collecting DMEPOS Information for Emergency Preparedness

FEMA recently updated their online planning tool to include a field to collect DME information. Having information like make and model can be very useful in helping survivors replace DME after a disaster. Located on FEMA’s ready.gov you can now find the DMEPOS documentation section under Make a Plan Form | Ready.gov. This is now live and ready to go.

This site can be used to assist customers in capturing details of their DMEPOS equipment if it needs to be replaced. There is also an accessible record for individuals, families, and case managers to assist in the process. 

This tool and many other resources can be found on the DMEPOS Emergency Preparedness page: Emergency Preparedness for Home Medical Equipment Suppliers Committee | VGM & Associates

Is Your DMEPOS Business Prepared for a Natural Disaster? 

There are several resources available on the Emergency Preparedness for DMEPOS Suppliers website. Please take a few minutes to review these resources to ensure you are ready in the event of a natural disaster.  

Suggestions: 

·       Communication is key during a disaster. Stay in contact with your patients. Make sure you have their phone numbers, and they have your contact info. If a disaster is heading your way, you may want to contact your customers; especially those that rely on oxygen, ventilators, CPAPs, or any device powered by electricity. 

·       Reach out to your state emergency departments and your Governor’s office. If state or federal funding is needed;needed, you will want to be first in line to receive any funding or other assistance. A simple Google search (state emergency management office) will provide you with their website. Once you find the website, locate the “contact us” button.

·       Stay in contact with your DME MAC’s office. Keep them updated on your needs. The DME Emergency Preparedness Committee has had discussions with these groups, and they are willing to help in the event of an emergency (particularly with reimbursement guidance). You can find the contact to all the DME MAC’s offices here: Contact Info

·       Need assistance from FEMA? Here is a link to all the regional FEMA contacts: FEMA Contact Info

 Please reach out to us at VGM and/or your state association if we can be of further assistance during an emergency.  

TAGS

  1. advocacy
  2. dmepos
  3. orthotics & prosthetics
  4. 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

CMS Rule Phases Out Fax Machines, Snail Mail to Save Taxpayers $781.98 Million a Year thumbnail CMS Rule Phases Out Fax Machines, Snail Mail to Save Taxpayers $781.98 Million a Year As reported by CMS: “The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is slashing wasteful spending and antiquated paperwork by swapping out faxing and mailing for streamlined electronic transactions. This action lets providers spend less time on administrative hassle and more time caring for patients. PAMES Raises Critical Concerns Over Sole-Source Supply Shift thumbnail PAMES Raises Critical Concerns Over Sole-Source Supply Shift PAMES and DME suppliers across Washington are taking an important stand on behalf of both providers and patients. The Tacoma Daily Index recently reported on the state's plan to move to a sole-source contract for incontinence and urological supplies. Under this decision, the Health Care Authority intends to transition all Medicaid recipients to receiving these products from a single vendor. SBA Advocacy: Your Input Matters thumbnail SBA Advocacy: Your Input Matters Make your voice heard about how the CBP has affected your business. 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.

Be Part of Something Bigger

Become a Member