Join the Upcoming Webinar, "Coping with Continued Pandemic/Supply Chain Issues," on Tuesday, November 9!

Published in Government Relations on October 28, 2021

Supply chain issues, vendor surcharges, labor shortages, and product recalls are just a few of the complexities HME suppliers are currently facing during this COVID-19 pandemic. VGM is here to shed some light on these issues and offer some suggestions on how you can endure these issues and still continue to provide quality products and services to your patients.

Please join us for an upcoming webinar with the VGM Government Relations and Regulatory team on Tuesday, November 9 from 12 p.m.– 2 p.m. CT.

Watch the Recording

What will be discussed?

Non-assigned versus assigned claim submission

Ronda Buhrmester, Senior Director of Payer Relations and Reimbursement, VGM and Dan Fedor, Director of Reimbursement and Education, U.S. Rehab

Due to surcharges, inflation, and staffing issues along with the declining reimbursement rates, we are hearing from suppliers that they want to learn how to submit a claim non-assigned. While this concept is not new to our industry, suppliers have continued to accept assignment. However, due to the increases in acquisition costs, the financial burden does not and should not fall on the supplier. During this session, Ronda and Dan will review an in depth process for submitting claims non-assigned as a  non-participating supplier. And if you are enrolled as participating, this is good news because open enrollment starts Nov. 15. If you are a supplier that is part of a health system and under the same tax identification number, we will give you options for continuing as a participating supplier. Get your staff together to learn how to understand the process of non-assigned versus assigned claim submission.

In addition, at the end of the presentation, Dan and Ronda will bring in a panel of suppliers, your peers, currently submitting non-assigned claims. They will be able to share their insight of the good, the bad, and what to watch out for with submitting claims non-assigned.

Craig Douglas, VP of Payer Relations will summarize the depth and breadth of the vendor surcharges including which manufacturers, product categories, and dollar amounts. Craig will outline our letter to CMS asking for rate relief and list the things the audience can use in their conversations with customers and other payers.

Mark Higley, VP of Regulatory Affairs

It’s well known that COVID-19 is still disrupting the healthcare industry supply chain, where much of the attention was directed to shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect frontline clinicians. However, as you are most aware, the supply chain challenges also are extending to durable medical equipment (DME) and supplies required by our at-risk patients in their homes to manage chronic conditions and other medical issues. Mark will offer an analysis, update and commentary.

Watch the Recording


TAGS

  1. covid-19
  2. phe
  3. regulatory
  4. reimbursement
  5. vgm government

From Our Experts

VGM Submits Comments Regarding the Section 232 National Security Investigation On Medical Imports thumbnail VGM Submits Comments Regarding the Section 232 National Security Investigation On Medical Imports VGM has submitted formal comments to the U.S. Department of Commerce in response to its Section 232 National Security Investigation into the importation of personal protective equipment (PPE), medical consumables, and medical equipment and devices. Senate Backs DME Relief Act with Bipartisan Support thumbnail Senate Backs DME Relief Act with Bipartisan Support In a significant development for the durable medical equipment (DME) industry and Medicare beneficiaries, the U.S. Senate has introduced S.2951, the companion legislation to H.R. 2005, known as the DMEPOS Relief Act of 2025. The Senate bill is being led by Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and has gained bipartisan support with Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) joining as a co-sponsor. Gov't Shutdown: What It Means for Providers thumbnail Gov't Shutdown: What It Means for Providers As expected, Democrats and Republican members of the Senate was unable to agree on terms in passing a continuing resolution (CR) ahead of the October 1st deadline, resulting in a government shutdown. But how did we get here? Oppose DMEPOS Bidding Expansion – Take Action Now thumbnail Oppose DMEPOS Bidding Expansion – Take Action Now A critical Congressional Sign-On Letter is now circulating in the House of Representatives, led by Reps. Neal Dunn (R-FL) and Greg Murphy (R-NC). This bipartisan letter calls on CMS to stop the proposed expansion of the durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program to include ostomy and urological supplies. Gov't Shutdown & Telehealth Flexibility Expiration thumbnail Gov't Shutdown & Telehealth Flexibility Expiration September 30 represents an important date for HME providers for two reasons: 1) The potential of a government shutdown and how that affects HHS and CMS, and 2) the expiration of Telehealth Flexibilities unless a Continuing Resolution (CR) is agreed upon in time. Josh Turek Visits VGM to Champion Accessibility & Advocacy thumbnail Josh Turek Visits VGM to Champion Accessibility & Advocacy Waterloo, IA — On Monday, VGM Group hosted the first of our “Meet The Candidate” forums by welcoming Iowa State Representative Josh Turek, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate seat soon to be vacated by Senator Joni Ernst. VGM & NCART Rally in D.C. to Defend CRT & HME Access thumbnail VGM & NCART Rally in D.C. to Defend CRT & HME Access Washington, D.C. – September 2025 — A powerful few days of advocacy wrapped up in the nation's capital as representatives from VGM Group, NCART, AAHomecare, and other key stakeholders in the Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) and Home Medical Equipment (HME) industries met with lawmakers to address urgent policy concerns. Igniting Champions Of Change During August Recess thumbnail Igniting Champions Of Change During August Recess This August recess, DME suppliers across the country seized the opportunity to engage with lawmakers and advocate for critical DMEPOS legislation. Their efforts are helping to build momentum and expand the network of congressional supporters.