Reminder: CMS has Two Open Comment Periods and Wants to Hear From You!

Published in Government Relations on August 30, 2022

CMS’s Request for Information on Medicare Advantage Plans; Deadline Tomorrow, Aug. 31st

If you haven’t already submitted your comments to CMS regarding Medicare Advantage Plans, we encourage you to take a few minutes today to do so. Responses to this request for information may be used to inform potential future rulemaking or other policy development.

Click here to access the comment portal to CMS. This is your chance to speak up about Medicare Advantage Plans. Don’t miss this opportunity. VGM will also be submitting comments based on feedback we’ve heard from our members.


30-Day Comment Period for Power Seat Elevations Systems in Complex Power Wheel Chairs being Covered by Medicare

CMS has also opened up a comment period for Medicare coverage of power seat elevation systems that are used with complex power wheelchairs. Now is the time for everyone to tell their stories and explain that this equipment is not just a convenience item, but actually provides medical function. 

To read the full details on this comment period and leave a comment please visit www.rise4access.org. The deadline for this period is September 14!

From Our Experts

Government Relations: Speak With One Voice thumbnail Government Relations: Speak With One Voice The DMEPOS industry must show a unified front, speak with a unified voice, and together be champions of change. Clarification on Standard Written Orders thumbnail Clarification on Standard Written Orders Recently the DME MACs released a Dear Physician Letter that clarified language on a standard written order (SWO) specifically related to CPAP masks. While the article was great news being welcomed by the industry, it also initiated additional conversation for other PAP supplies such as interfaces and tubing. Ronda Vlog: Further Updates on Refill Requirements and Dear Physician Letter thumbnail Ronda Vlog: Further Updates on Refill Requirements and Dear Physician Letter Be sure to watch this update from Ronda Buhrmester, Sr. Director of Payer Relations and Reimbursement, where she gives updates on the change to the refill requirement, effective Jan. 1, 2024 and the Dear Physician letter released in February. Change Health Resources thumbnail Change Health Resources VGM recognizes that many of our members in the DMEPOS provider community have been negatively impacted by the cyberattack on Change Healthcare that occurred on February 21, 2024. We continue to monitor the situation and promote the creation of resources to help providers navigate through this with as little negative impact to their business as possible. Insights from the 2024 State Leaders Summit thumbnail Insights from the 2024 State Leaders Summit The VGM State Leaders Summit concluded in early February at the VGM headquarters in Waterloo, IA. State leaders from home medical equipment (HME) state associations traveled to Waterloo to collaborate on their priorities for 2024 and find ways to enhance their associations. Vlog: Ike Isaacson Give an Update on the 75/25 Blended Rate thumbnail Vlog: Ike Isaacson Give an Update on the 75/25 Blended Rate Watch this video update from VGM's Ike Isaacson on the importance of the 75/25 blended rate. Welcome to 2024. Let's Talk Root Causes! thumbnail Welcome to 2024. Let's Talk Root Causes! Kim Cuce explains how to identify the root causes of issues that DMEPOS providers often face. Urgent Advocacy Needed: Extend 75/25 Blended Rate Relief thumbnail Urgent Advocacy Needed: Extend 75/25 Blended Rate Relief As government funding negotiations continue, our 75/25 blended-rate provision is at stake. Let's unite our voices and secure the relief our HME community needs.