Skip to main content

VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO

Search GO

Search GO

VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO LEARN ABOUT VGM

Melanie Ewald Joins VGM Government Relations Team As VP Of Payer Relations And Reimbursement

Published in Government Relations on April 09, 2025

VGM Government Relations is proud to announce the addition of Melanie Ewald as Vice Melanie Ewald as Vice President Of Payer Relations And Reimbursement. President Of Payer Relations And Reimbursement.

As a payer relations and regulatory expert, Melanie has honed her skills in payer contracting, enrollment, credentialing, compliance, and audits. Her ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes and optimize payer relationships has earned her recognition as a leader in the field.

Melanie's commitment to the healthcare industry extends beyond her professional roles. She has been actively involved with several durable medical equipment (DME) associations, including serving as a former board member of the Ohio Association of Medical Equipment Services (OAMES) and participating on the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) Payer Relations Council.

Melanie is also an attorney specializing in health law with a career deeply rooted in the healthcare industry. Her extensive experience includes roles in a holistic hospital-based clinic, the Minnesota Hospital Association, and the DME sector. Melanie's contributions have consistently focused on improving healthcare systems and operations, making her an asset to the VGM Government Relations team and our industry partners.

Melanie shares her adventures with her English Springer Spaniel rescue, Jessi, who inspires her love for exploration and connection. In her spare time, Melanie enjoys hiking, cross-country skiing, and cycling, which has become her favorite fitness pursuit.

Melanie is also deeply committed to personal and professional growth, actively participating in multiple women’s groups dedicated to empowerment and development. These groups provide her with opportunities for reflection, connection, and mentorship, reinforcing her belief in continuous growth and giving back to her community.

A Bright Future With VGM

Melanie’s expertise and dedication make her an invaluable addition to the VGM Government Relations team.

We are thrilled to welcome Melanie and look forward to the positive impact she will undoubtedly make in her new role.

From Our Experts

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.

HR1 Passes House, Advances to President Trump's Desk for Signature thumbnail

HR1 Passes House, Advances to President Trump's Desk for Signature After extensive negotiations and partisan debate, the House has officially passed HR1, clearing the path for the bill to be signed into law by President Donald Trump. The legislation, which aims to reduce federal healthcare expenditures, contains several provisions that may impact the durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) industry.

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.

Give your business an advantage over the competition.

Become a Member