Skip to main content

VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO

Search GO

Search GO

VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO LEARN ABOUT VGM

KY and TN Suppliers and the DME Community Emergency Response Team Met with CMS, FEMA, and Other Federal Groups Discussing the Tornados in KY and TN

Published in Government Relations on February 11, 2022

DME Community Emergency Response

Yesterday, medical equipment suppliers in Kentucky and Tennessee attended a virtual meeting discussing the tornados that ripped through Kentucky and Tennessee in December. The meeting was assembled by Tangita Daramola, Competitive Acquisition Ombudsman, and the VGM Government Relations team.

Suppliers from Kentucky and Tennessee were able to voice their concerns regarding needs and difficulties during the December tornados with representatives from FEMA, Office of the Assistant Secretary with Preparedness and Response (ASPR), Small Business Administration (SBA), CGS, and CMS’s Office of Program Operations and Local Engagement (OPOLE). Also attending the meeting was the DME Community Response Team consisting of DME state association leaders, as well as Kim Brummett of AAHomecare and John Gallagher and Emily Harken of VGM.

Emergency Preparedness Committee Members Includes: Victoria Peterson - TexMEP, Caitlin Houck - MNCHA, Larry Dalton - OMEPA, Beth Bowen - ACMESA/ATHOMES/NEMEP/FAHCS, Bob Achermann - CAMPS, Rose Schafhauser - MAMES/SWMESA, Mike Calcaterra - Big Sky AMES/PAMES, Chris Townsend- FAHCS, Kim Brummett – AAHomecare, John Gallagher and Emily Harken of VGM. The goal of this group is to bring awareness to federal and state emergency management groups of the need for breathing and mobility devices during a natural disaster, as well as to put together a roadmap or toolkit for DME suppliers to follow in these emergency situations.

Much of the discussion during the meeting included billing and reimbursement concerns during and after a disaster and as well as additional expenses incurred by suppliers.

This meeting was a great steppingstone for an end goal of improved processes and clear guidance and policies for DME suppliers during an emergency. The DME Community Emergency Response team is looking forward to continuing to educate the federal groups on all the distresses and invaluable services DME suppliers provide during and after a disaster. The groups intent is to make solid changes for suppliers in future disasters and broaden awareness with federal groups.

Thanks to all who participated in the meeting!

TAGS

From Our Experts

CMS files the Proposed Rule that sheds light on the next round of the Competitive Bidding Program thumbnail

CMS files the Proposed Rule that sheds light on the next round of the Competitive Bidding Program On June 30, 2025, CMS filed the anticipated Proposed Rule that includes updates to the Competitive Bidding Program (CBP). Public comments are due 60 days from June 30, 2025. Below is a high-level summary of the rule. It is critical to note that, according to the Proposed Rule Fact Sheet dated June 30, 2025, CMS has stated that they have not announced the specific product categories they are bidding or the specific timeframe for the next competition. Those specifics will be forthcoming in a fu

Senate Narrowly Passes HR1, Sending It Back to House for Final Approval thumbnail

Senate Narrowly Passes HR1, Sending It Back to House for Final Approval President Donald Trump's sweeping legislative package, formally titled the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, now referred to as HR1., cleared the Senate today in a dramatic 51–50 vote, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote. The bill now returns to the House, where lawmakers must decide whether to adopt the Senate's revised version or negotiate further changes before it can reach the president's desk.

Several Prominent Medicaid Provisions in Senate's Budget Bill Deemed in Violation of Byrd Rule thumbnail

Several Prominent Medicaid Provisions in Senate's Budget Bill Deemed in Violation of Byrd Rule Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough advised this week that multiple Medicaid provisions in the Senate's reconciliation bill would violate Senate procedure by violating the Byrd Rule. The Byrd Rule is a Senate-specific procedural process that allows Senators to prevent or block inclusion of extraneous provisions in reconciliation bills. Other provisions are still under review.

Evaluating the Value of a Payer Contract thumbnail

Evaluating the Value of a Payer Contract In our last article, Key Payers Denied Your Application Citing Their Network Is Closed – Now What?, we discussed strategies for addressing payer contracting denials due to a closed network. As indicated, this process can be an extremely time-consuming exercise with no guarantees and mixed results. Below are a few things to consider as you evaluate whether a contract is worth the extra effort.

Webinar: "Navigating The New CMS Landscape: RADs, HMVs, and Supplier Survival" on June 25 at 1 p.m. CT. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released its final National Coverage Determination (NCD) for RADs and HMVs used in treating chronic respiratory failure due to COPD. While the rule potentially expands access to bilevel ST therapy (RADs), it also introduces complex compliance requirements, tighter usage criteria, and increased documentation burdens—without additional reimbursement.

The Return of Competitive Bidding thumbnail

The Return of Competitive Bidding The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) appear to be laying the groundwork for another round of the Competitive Bidding Program (CBP). While full implementation will take a couple of years, an official announcement is expected this summer—potentially as early as July.

Out With The Old RAC, In With The New thumbnail

Out With The Old RAC, In With The New On April 28, 2025, CMS awarded Cotiviti GOV Services LLC, the new RAC Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) Region 3, 4, and 5 contracts. RAC Region 3 includes the following Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) jurisdictions: JJ, JM, and JN. RAC Region 4 includes jurisdictions: JE, JF, and JL. And RAC Region 5 includes jurisdictions: JA, JB, JC, JD, as well as the HH/H MACs: J6, J15, JK, and JM.

Iowa Leads the Charge! All Four Representatives Back H.R. 2005—Will Your State Step Up? thumbnail

Iowa Leads the Charge! All Four Representatives Back H.R. 2005—Will Your State Step Up? At VGM Group, Inc. we have the pleasure of serving our members and partners throughout the country.  One of the many ways we do this is through legislative advocacy, working with our partners to create a more equitable and effective healthcare system. All our VGM units are dedicated to advancing our partners' businesses, streamlining operations, and working every day to enhance reimbursement for the quality in-home healthcare our industry provides all people.

Be Part of Something Bigger

Become a Member