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Take Action Today! Reach Out to Your Member of Congress Asking to Support Dear Colleague Letter to Increase Reimbursement Rates for Home Medical Equipment

Published in Government Relations on September 29, 2021

Home medical equipment suppliers (HME) have endured many obstacles over the years while doing their best to continuing to provide quality products and services to patients in the home. Over the past ten years, reimbursement rates for HME reimbursement rates have decreased mainly due to the competitive bidding program. Other obstacles like COVID-19, audits, regulatory burdens, cost increases, staff shortages, and supplier closures have made it incredibly difficult for HME business to continue to provide quality products and services to their patients. Current reimbursement rates for home medical equipment are unsustainable.

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.

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 October 5, so please take action today!

TAGS

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

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