VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO
Full Menu Search

Iowa Senators Expand Their Understanding of DME Supplier Issues

Published in Government Relations on October 22, 2024

NuCara Home Medical hosted an event for Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) at their Urbandale location on Thursday, Oct. 10. Matt Flatt, CEO of NuCara Home Medical, highlighted the event as a valuable opportunity to educate Sen. Ernst on the importance of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) and the challenges faced by the industry. A special thanks to Matt Flatt and his team at NuCara Home Medical for organizing this fantastic event! 

NuCara

John Gallagher of VGM, Matt Flatt of NuCara Home Medical, and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) 

NuCara Home Medical

Sen. Ernst with the NuCara Home Medical team 

On Thursday, Oct. 17, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) visited VGM’s headquarters in Waterloo, IA. These meetings were timely, with elections just a few weeks away, emphasizing the need for legislators to consider the DME industry in year-end legislation.  

Both senators were asked to support the 75/25 blended rate in a year-end package and indicated they would voice their support to Sen. John Thune (R-SD) for S1294. 

75/25 blended rate

VGM with Sen.Grassley

John Gallagher, Christa Miehe, Jeremy Stolz, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Adam Miller, and Emily Harken 

Currently, there is a House Dear Colleague letter supporting this legislation. Constituents are encouraged to reach out to their representatives to support this letter, which calls for the re-establishment of the Medicare 75/25 blended rate for DME in non-rural, non-competitive bid areas for 2025. 

How You Can Help: 

  1. Contact your members of Congress and urge them to support the DME industry by reaching out to the staff of Rep. Miller-Meeks (R-IA) or Rep. Tonko (D-NY). 
  2. Highlight the importance and 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) 

Engage with Legislators: Legislators will be home for most of October until election day. This is a great opportunity to meet your legislators in person! Here are some ways to engage: 

  • Invite them to your office for a tour and meeting. 
  • Request an in-person meeting at their office. 
  • Attend a public event like a state or town fair and speak directly to them about the issues. 
  • Reach out to their staff members requesting support. 

The period after elections but before the new administration takes over is known as the “lame duck” period. This is an interesting time, as outgoing politicians can make decisions with little fear of consequence, presenting a great opportunity to gain additional support for DME legislation. We are hopeful there will be an end-of-the-year package that will carry the DME bill. 

Please reach out to Emily Harken at Emily.harken@vgm.com if you would like any assistance connecting with your legislator!  

TAGS

  1. advocacy
  2. dmepos
  3. 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

New CMS Nationwide Probationary Prior Authorization Requirement for Newly Enrolled Suppliers of Certain DMEPOS Items thumbnail New CMS Nationwide Probationary Prior Authorization Requirement for Newly Enrolled Suppliers of Certain DMEPOS Items On Sept. 2, 2026, CMS introduced the Probationary Prior Authorization (PPA) program that will place newly enrolled DMEPOS Suppliers and those undergoing 100% change in ownership on a one-year probationary period. Effective Oct. 15, impacted suppliers will be required to submit a prior authorization request for specific HCPCS codes. OIG Report Signals Increased Fraud Oversight for DMEPOS Suppliers thumbnail OIG Report Signals Increased Fraud Oversight for DMEPOS Suppliers The HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently released a white paper examining ongoing Medicare fraud involving durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS). Preparing for Increased Audit Activity: How VGM Group and The van Halem Group Can Help thumbnail Preparing for Increased Audit Activity: How VGM Group and The van Halem Group Can Help The recent HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) report on DMEPOS fraud signals that CMS is likely to increase oversight activities across the industry. The report calls for enhanced supplier enrollment screening, more aggressive medical reviews, expanded use of artificial intelligence and data analytics, greater physician order verification, and increased scrutiny of supplier ownership and billing practices. CMS Releases Critical Updates On The Medicare Supplier Enrollment Moratorium And Round 2028 Competitive Bidding Program thumbnail CMS Releases Critical Updates On The Medicare Supplier Enrollment Moratorium And Round 2028 Competitive Bidding Program See CMS' notice on the Medicare Supplier Enrollment Moratorium below: Medicare's DMEPOS Supplier Enrollment Moratorium Has Expired | Action Required for Round 2028 Bidders This message is to inform you that the 6-month temporary moratorium on accepting Medicare supplier enrollment applications, which became effective on February 27, 2026, has now expired as of August 27, 2026. CMS Updates CBIC Website Bid Preparation Guidance for Round 2028 Competitive Bidding Program thumbnail CMS Updates CBIC Website Bid Preparation Guidance for Round 2028 Competitive Bidding Program On August 13, 2026, CMS posted several updated and new Fact Sheets and one new FAQ to the Bid Preparation Phase page on the CBIC website. Providers interested in submitting a bid for Round 2028 can find more program details, including the estimated number of contract awards, for each category. Important: HME Supplier Survey on Round 2028 Competitive Bidding Impact thumbnail Important: HME Supplier Survey on Round 2028 Competitive Bidding Impact AAHomecare is conducting a brief survey to help quantify the potential impact that Medicare's Remote Item Delivery (RID) model of Competitive Bidding would have on HME suppliers providing continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), insulin pumps, ostomy supplies, and/or urological supplies. Survey findings will be used to inform discussions with the White House, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and Congress about the potential effects on supplier businesses, jobs, and patient... CMS Makes Finalized Change to DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program thumbnail CMS Makes Finalized Change to DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued the FY 2027 Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRF) Prospective Payment System (PPS) Final Rule (CMS-1845-F), increasing the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program's bid surety bond amount to $100,000 (previously $50,000).... VGM Government Relations Launches State Payer Resource Hub for DMEPOS Providers thumbnail VGM Government Relations Launches State Payer Resource Hub for DMEPOS Providers This resource brings together key information frequently used by DMEPOS providers.

Be Part of Something Bigger

Become a Member