VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO
Full Menu Search

MAMES Members discuss critical industry issues with Senator Thune

Published in Government Relations on June 30, 2022

MAMES and Thune

As reported by MAMES:

"MAMES is very grateful to Senator Thune for taking the time to sit down in person with MAMES Members in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to discuss the critical issues facing our industry and the clients we so devotedly serve every day. Members thanked the Senator for his leadership on past legislation including the CARES Act and the important relief it provided during extraordinary times.” said Rose Schafhauser, MAMES Executive Director.

“Senator Thune spent an hour listening to MAMES providers explain how they were an integral part of the health care continuum during the pandemic, playing a critical role in getting patients out of the hospitals and long-term care and allowing patients to recover in their homes”. continued Schafhauser.” ”Members also shared the immense challenges they are operating under as healthcare providers including: Critical staffing shortage, incredible cost increases for patient products plus additional surcharges for each items that cannot be passed on to the consumer, reimbursement rates based on flawed 2015 pricing for Medicare and most private pay insurances and even lower rates for many Medicare Managed Care programs and burdensome documentation requirements that place the HME Provider in the middle between patients and their Doctors.”

Representatives from MAMES, VGM Group, AAHomecare asked Senator Thune for help in extending the CARES Act relief for the HME community after the public health emergency ends and to assist the industry in getting answers from CMS on the future of the so-called competitive bidding program going forward.

“MAMES looks forward to working with Senator Thune as we continue to work to protect our industry, our members and the clients and patients they serve every day. I would like to also extend my sincerest gratitude to each of the MAMES Members who took the time from busy schedules to travel to this event. And also, Jay Witter, AAHomecare and John Gallagher, VGM Group for attending and bringing your expertise to this critical meeting.” added Rose Schafhauser.

TAGS

  1. vgm
  2. 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

NAAOP Hosts First Ever In-Person Legislative Fly-In thumbnail NAAOP Hosts First Ever In-Person Legislative Fly-In Last week, 33 stakeholders, advocates, and leaders from around the O&P industry convened at the offices of Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville PC in Washington, D.C., as part of The National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics's (NAAOP) first ever in-person legislative fly-in. Co-sponsored by OPGA, the fly-in kicked off with an in-depth discussion and strategy session surrounding several legislative priorities affecting O&P providers and patients. VGM Government Relations Unveils Grassroots Advocacy Toolkit to Empower DME Champions of Change thumbnail VGM Government Relations Unveils Grassroots Advocacy Toolkit to Empower DME Champions of Change The VGM Government Relations team is proud to announce the launch of its Grassroots Advocacy Toolkit, thoughtfully crafted to support durable medical equipment (DME) professionals, caregivers, industry partners, and patient advocates in advancing legislative initiatives that impact home medical equipment and services. Featuring Two Champions Of Change: Robert Beard of YD Home Medical & Rob Minicucci Jr. of Health System Services thumbnail Featuring Two Champions Of Change: Robert Beard of YD Home Medical & Rob Minicucci Jr. of Health System Services Today, we're proud to spotlight two outstanding durable medical equipment (DME) champions whose advocacy efforts are making a meaningful difference: Robert Beard of YD Home Medical of Alabama and Rob Minicucci Jr. of Health System Services of New York. These individuals took time out of their busy schedules to personally connect with elected officials, demonstrating how local action can spark national change. Survey: Share Your Thoughts on Proposed Accreditation Rule Changes thumbnail Survey: Share Your Thoughts on Proposed Accreditation Rule Changes CQRC, VGM, and AAHomecare are requesting your feedback on a new proposed rule that could significantly impact accreditation procedures. Under the proposal, accreditation organizations would be required to conduct site visits every year—a major shift from the current once-every-three-years schedule. WEBINAR: Navigating New CMS Guidelines: Unlocking Opportunities in NIPPV and RAD Coverage for COPD Care thumbnail WEBINAR: Navigating New CMS Guidelines: Unlocking Opportunities in NIPPV and RAD Coverage for COPD Care The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has revised the NCD for Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV) in the home setting for treating Chronic Respiratory Failure (CRF) due to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The changes aim to establish clear coverage policies for devices such as Respiratory Assist Devices (RADs) and home mechanical ventilators (HMVs), potentially expanding access to these critical therapies for eligible patients. Adapting to new CMS guidelin Bipartisan Medicare O&P Bill Introduced thumbnail Bipartisan Medicare O&P Bill Introduced In a timely move ahead of next week's NAAOP Legislative Fly-In, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced the Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act, a bill aimed at improving access to high-quality orthotic and prosthetic care for Medicare beneficiaries. The Patient-Centered Care Act seeks to address critical gaps in Medicare coverage for orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) services. Under current rules, beneficiaries may receive devices without the necessary clinical services Proposed Rule Suggests Significant Change To Accreditation Process thumbnail Proposed Rule Suggests Significant Change To Accreditation Process The recently released proposed rule CMS-1828-P contains a significant change that could reshape how suppliers navigate accreditation. The rule proposes a major change that would require suppliers to be surveyed and reaccredited annually instead of the current three (3) year cadence. This proposal raises substantial questions about both operational feasibility and cost implications. August Of Action: Your Chance To Connect With Congress thumbnail August Of Action: Your Chance To Connect With Congress It's time to take advantage of August Of Action—a perfect opportunity to make your voice heard. Every summer, federal legislators return to their home states during the Congressional recess. While it gives them a break from Washington D.C., it's primarily a time for them to connect with constituents like you.

Give your business an advantage over the competition.

Become a Member