Insights from the 2024 State Leaders Summit

Published in HME State Associations on March 01, 2024

SLS MeetingThe 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. While discussions included topics like reimbursement relief and the extension of the 75/25, the participants also explored collaborative opportunities between VGM and state associations to foster mutual benefits. During our discussions, we explored ideas related to member recruitment and retention. Additionally, the team delved into event planning and partnering on education initiatives.

“The VGM State Leaders Summit is such an energizing event!” said Ike Isaacson, SVP of Government and Regulatory Relations. “We greatly appreciate the time, commitment, and passion these leaders have for the industry. VGM is proud to support them all, as their work is our work. Together we developed some great ideas and walked away with action plans to build and grow the impact of each association, as well as how VGM can support them in our shared mission. We look forward to our continued partnership as Champions of Change!”


TAGS

  1. state association
  2. vgm
  3. vgm government

From Our Experts

HOMECARE CHAMP Kam Yuricich on building relationships thumbnail HOMECARE CHAMP Kam Yuricich on building relationships Kam Yuricich, who was crowned the 2023 Van Miller Homecare Champion at Medtrade in March, credits relationship building for the successes she's helped to achieve on the state and federal level in her 37-year and counting career in the HME industry. Here's what the executive director of the Ohio Association of Medical Equipment Services (OAMES) and the Great Lakes Home Medical Services Association had to say about how relationship building leads to increased credibility inspires teamwork and more August Recess Recap: Building Relationships, Advancing Advocacy thumbnail August Recess Recap: Building Relationships, Advancing Advocacy As Congress worked through the August recess, the VGM Government Relations team remained actively engaged in securing meetings and building relationships with legislators, candidates, and key congressional staff across the country. This summer, the team made a strategic decision to focus getting a strong balance between Republican and Democratic offices, recognizing the importance of broadening support for DMEPOS priorities and ensuring policymakers from both parties understand the challenges.. Introducing Patient Voices: Access to HME Matters thumbnail Introducing Patient Voices: Access to HME Matters The VGM Government Relations team is excited to announce Patient Voices: Access to HME Matters, a new way for patients, providers, vendors, caregivers, and industry partners to share their experiences with home medical equipment. Every story matters. AAHomecare Survey Results of RID Program thumbnail AAHomecare Survey Results of RID Program Thank you to AAHomecare for initiating this important survey demonstrating the significant risks to the DMEPOS industry should Remote Item Delivery Competitive Bid Program (RID CBP) Round 2028 move forward as is. VGM Group is proud to support the survey efforts to maximize provider participation. See below for the survey summary and analysis. Competitive Bidding Update: NPEast and NPWest Updating Licensure Requirement Information for Competitive Bidding Product Categories thumbnail Competitive Bidding Update: NPEast and NPWest Updating Licensure Requirement Information for Competitive Bidding Product Categories Per the Remote Item Delivery Competitive Bidding Program (RID CBP) Round 2028 requirements, bidders must meet all business and product category licensure requirements across every state, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories to be eligible to be a contract winner. New CMS Nationwide Probationary Prior Authorization Requirement for Newly Enrolled Suppliers of Certain DMEPOS Items thumbnail New CMS Nationwide Probationary Prior Authorization Requirement for Newly Enrolled Suppliers of Certain DMEPOS Items On Sept. 2, 2026, CMS introduced the Probationary Prior Authorization (PPA) program that will place newly enrolled DMEPOS Suppliers and those undergoing 100% change in ownership on a one-year probationary period. Effective Oct. 15, impacted suppliers will be required to submit a prior authorization request for specific HCPCS codes. OIG Report Signals Increased Fraud Oversight for DMEPOS Suppliers thumbnail OIG Report Signals Increased Fraud Oversight for DMEPOS Suppliers The HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently released a white paper examining ongoing Medicare fraud involving durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS). Preparing for Increased Audit Activity: How VGM Group and The van Halem Group Can Help thumbnail Preparing for Increased Audit Activity: How VGM Group and The van Halem Group Can Help The recent HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) report on DMEPOS fraud signals that CMS is likely to increase oversight activities across the industry. The report calls for enhanced supplier enrollment screening, more aggressive medical reviews, expanded use of artificial intelligence and data analytics, greater physician order verification, and increased scrutiny of supplier ownership and billing practices.