Support is Needed for the Letter Asking CMS for Increase Reimbursement for HME. Your Actions are Needed Today! Deadline is Tomorrow.

Published in Government Relations on October 04, 2021

There are currently only 22 supporters of the House Dear Colleague to CMS! Now is the time for action. Please reach out to your member of Congress today asking them to sign this letter asking Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to finalize the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) proposed rule that was issued on October 27, 2020. The rule would establish methodologies for adjusting the fee schedule payment amounts for DMEPOS items furnished in non-competitive bidding areas (non-CBAs) on or after April 1, 2021 or the date immediately following the duration of the public health emergency, whichever is later. This includes the provisions to extend the Medicare 50/50 blended rate for DMEPOS in rural/non-contiguous areas. Additionally, the letter requests CMS to consider additional policies to ensure access to DMEPOS items for Medicare beneficiaries.  

Click here to see the letter. See the current list of supporters here

This letter is being led by Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Paul Tonko (D-NY). Representatives are being directed to reach out to their staff to sign the letter. 

Please act today! We’ve made it easy for you! Simply click here to send an email/letter to your representative asking them to support this letter. A letter has been composed; you’re welcome to add additional context to the request if you like. Otherwise, you can simply enter your zip code to send a letter. Please take a minute of your day to do this and encourage your friends and coworkers to as well. 

The deadline for members of Congress to sign the letter is tomorrow, October 5.  


TAGS

  1. cms
  2. hhs
  3. reimbursement
  4. vgm government

From Our Experts

How FEMA Can Help DMEPOS Businesses Prep for Natural Disasters thumbnail How FEMA Can Help DMEPOS Businesses Prep for Natural Disasters FEMA's latest site update benefits DMEPOS businesses by assisting them in preparing for natural disasters. Ronda Vlog: Two Important Updates: Oxygen Testing and Home Assessment for Manual Wheelchairs Clarification thumbnail Ronda Vlog: Two Important Updates: Oxygen Testing and Home Assessment for Manual Wheelchairs Clarification Check out these updates from Ronda Buhrmester regarding oxygen testing and clarification on home assessment for manual wheelchairs! 75/25 Medicare Impact Survey thumbnail 75/25 Medicare Impact Survey AAHomecare is spearheading a nation-wide initiative to measure the impact of the expired Medicare fee-for-service 75/25 blended rate for non-bid non-rural areas on the HME community and Medicare patients' access to medically necessary equipment. Medicare Advantage Plans Under Scrutiny for HME Denials thumbnail Medicare Advantage Plans Under Scrutiny for HME Denials The coverage of HME by Medicare Advantage plans has recently come under fire. At the VGM Heartland Conference on June 11, stakeholders highlighted a critical issue; Medicare Advantage plans are allegedly denying coverage unjustly. Government Relations Advocate for the Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act thumbnail Government Relations Advocate for the Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act The week of June 3rd, Nikki Jensen, VP of Essentially Women and Ike Isaacson, SVP of VGM Government & Regulatory Relations traveled to Washington D.C. to advocate for the Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act. Williams Brothers Healthcare Hosts Meet-and-Greet Event with Rep. Erin Houchin thumbnail Williams Brothers Healthcare Hosts Meet-and-Greet Event with Rep. Erin Houchin Last week, Williams Brothers Healthcare organized a meet-and-greet event featuring Representative Erin Houchin (R-IN-9) to address crucial topics related to HME services and the challenges faced by providers. OMEPA's Legislative Triumphs: A Tale of Relationships and Persistence thumbnail OMEPA's Legislative Triumphs: A Tale of Relationships and Persistence Over the past few legislative sessions, Oklahoma Medical Equipment Providers Association (OMEPA) has navigated a legislative rollercoaster. Their commitment to building relationships and advocating for patients has led to significant wins. Audit Climate – Taking The Temperature thumbnail Audit Climate – Taking The Temperature As we near the midpoint of 2024, what are the main billing/reimbursement headaches being faced by providers?