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

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.

Mike Hamilton Of ADMEA Honored With The Mal Mixon Advocate Award thumbnail

Mike Hamilton Of ADMEA Honored With The Mal Mixon Advocate Award Last week, during the 2025 AAHomecare Washington Legislative Conference, Mike Hamilton, Executive Director of ADMEA, was honored with the prestigious Mal Mixon Advocate Award.

VGM Senior Leaders Engage in Advocacy at AAHomecare Legislative Conference thumbnail

VGM Senior Leaders Engage in Advocacy at AAHomecare Legislative Conference This week, VGM leaders attended the AAHomecare Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., a premier event dedicated to advancing healthcare policy and advocacy. AAHomecare provided attendees with valuable insights, equipping them with key discussion points and strategies for effective meetings with legislators.

Champion of Change: Paula Vineyard of Elana Health & Loop Medical Leads Healthcare Advocacy in West Virginia thumbnail

Champion of Change: Paula Vineyard of Elana Health & Loop Medical Leads Healthcare Advocacy in West Virginia On Thursday, May 8, Paula Vineyard, owner of Elana Health & Loop Medical, took a pivotal step in healthcare advocacy by hosting a meeting with Tyler Ohrn, Field Representative for Congresswoman Carol Miller of West Virginia's First District. The hour-long discussion centered on the pressing need for congressional support of H.R. 2005.

Manufacturer Survey On Tariffs thumbnail

Manufacturer Survey On Tariffs The American Association for Homecare and VGM Group are seeking valuable insights from durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) manufacturers and vendor partners regarding tariffs imposed on certain countries.

Key Payers Denied Your Application Citing Their Network Is Closed – Now What? thumbnail

Key Payers Denied Your Application Citing Their Network Is Closed – Now What? This experience has increasingly become one of the most common questions we receive from our provider members as more and more payers move to narrow their provider networks. The reasons payers seek to narrow their networks are simple. Payers are highly motivated to achieve their goals while doing less work and are not required to allow providers into their networks unless there is a patient access issue. For those of you fortunate enough to be a part of a narrow network, this may not be much of

Be Part of Something Bigger

Become a Member