The Decline of Medical Equipment Providers Across the U.S. Affects Beneficiary Access to Equipment

Published in Government Relations on January 24, 2020

Over the last ten years, there has been a significant decline in the number of medical equipment providers across the country. This is due to reimbursement cuts, regulatory restrictions, and excessive and unreasonable audits that (primarily) smaller durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers are facing. 

decline of medical equipment providersBy clicking here, you can see the exact number of DME suppliers that have closed across the country. The highest percentage of DME business closing are the states colored in dark blue. These states have lost the most of providers by nearly 50%: 

  • California
  • Arizona
  • Texas
  • Louisiana
  • Illinois
  • Ohio
  • Florida
  • Delaware
  • New Jersey
  • Connecticut

When DME suppliers are forced to close their doors, beneficiaries are directly impacted because their ability to receive their much-needed home medical equipment becomes even more difficult to access. They may be forced to travel long distances for their equipment, which would cost them extra time and money.  

What can you do to help? 

Currently, there is a bill circulating that can help with this issue. The Protecting Home Oxygen & Medical Equipment Act of 2019 allows for increased reimbursement rates for durable medical equipment and oxygen equipment and supplies in areas of the country where reimbursement has been slashed. Take action today by visiting https://people-for-quality-care.rallycongress.net/ctas/ask-your-member-congress-to-support-protecting-home-oxygen-medical-equipment-act. This website allows you to send a pre-written message to your member of Congress asking for their support of this legislation that will ultimately protect beneficiaries’ access to the equipment and services that are critical to their well-being. 

It is especially important for residents of the “dark blue” states (as indicated above) to reach out to their members of Congress and let them know of the urgency to protect the DME suppliers and the beneficiary. Ask for your members of Congress’ support by clicking here

From Our Experts

Spotlighting Champions of Change: Meetings with Rep. Blake Moore and Sen. Patty Murray's Staff thumbnail Spotlighting Champions of Change: Meetings with Rep. Blake Moore and Sen. Patty Murray's Staff We are proud to recognize two HME suppliers and VGM members who have recently taken the initiative to engage with their legislators and staff members. Iowa Senators Expand Their Understanding of DME Supplier Issues thumbnail Iowa Senators Expand Their Understanding of DME Supplier Issues NuCara Home Medical hosted an event for Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) at their Urbandale location on Thursday, Oct. 10. and on Oct. 17, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) visited VGM's headquarters in Waterloo, IA. Both senators were asked to support the 75/25 blended rate in a year-end package. Dear Colleague Letter Circulates Through Congress Seeking Support for DMEPOS 75/25 Blended Rate thumbnail Dear Colleague Letter Circulates Through Congress Seeking Support for DMEPOS 75/25 Blended Rate A new Dear Colleague letter, released this morning by Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Paul Tonko, and Randy Feenstra, is calling for the reestablishment of the Medicare 75/25 blended rate for durable medical equipment (DME) in non-rural, non-competitive bid areas for 2025. Put Policy Over Politics thumbnail Put Policy Over Politics Mike “Ike” Isaacson, Senior Vice President (SVP), VGM Government Relations, recently shared his thoughts about the election and the importance of prioritizing effective policymaking over political agendas in the healthcare industry. Breaking: Titanium/Carbon Fiber Upgrade Bill Introduced in the Senate – S.5154 thumbnail Breaking: Titanium/Carbon Fiber Upgrade Bill Introduced in the Senate – S.5154 Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced the titanium/carbon fiber wheelchair upgrade bill yesterday. [Vlog] Reconsideration Request for RAD and HVM Policy thumbnail [Vlog] Reconsideration Request for RAD and HVM Policy Listen in as Ronda Buhrmester, Sr. Director of Payer Relations and Reimbursement, shares that CMS has released a reconsideration request for the RAD and HVM policy. August of Action Wraps Up with Key Meetings thumbnail August of Action Wraps Up with Key Meetings Earlier this week, CAMPS members met with Rep. Mike Thompson at his Napa office to discuss DMEPOS legislation, H.R.5555. Rep. Thompson, a member of the influential House Ways and Means Committee, engaged in a productive meeting with Paul Ondrusek (Regional Account Manager at VGM and President of CAMPS), Todd Dodds (Owens Medical), and Tony Lewis (New West Medical). VGM & Associates Announces Appointment of Adam Miller as Vice President of Government Relations thumbnail VGM & Associates Announces Appointment of Adam Miller as Vice President of Government Relations VGM & Associates is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam Miller as the new Vice President of Government Relations.