VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO
Full Menu Search

'Twas the week before Christmas...CRT legislation included in omnibus bill

Published in Government Relations on December 16, 2019

This week Congress is busy wrapping up the year in hopes of passing a large bill that will include several provisions. The omnibus bill, commonly known as a “Christmas Tree bill”, is a collection of bills consolidated into one large bill. We’ve recently been informed that CRT legislation (H.R. 2293, manual wheelchair accessory bill) will be included in this package! This will permanently exclude manual complex rehabilitative technology (CRT) wheelchairs from the Competitive Bidding Program and will stop Medicare from applying competitive bidding rates to manual CRT wheelchair accessories for 18 months.

Please take a few minutes today to ensure DME/CRT legislation is included in this package! Make a phone call to your members' office or simply reach out via email. Tell them to support H.R. 1865, which is the new consolidated bill. Reach out to your member of Congress today, click here.

Get Connected

Stay up-to-date on the latest resources and news provided by VGM & Associates.

Sign Up for Email

From Our Experts

Igniting Champions Of Change During August Recess thumbnail Igniting Champions Of Change During August Recess This August recess, DME suppliers across the country seized the opportunity to engage with lawmakers and advocate for critical DMEPOS legislation. Their efforts are helping to build momentum and expand the network of congressional supporters. You Got The Contract! ...Now What?! Part 3: Contract Implementation thumbnail You Got The Contract! ...Now What?! Part 3: Contract Implementation Contract Implementation: Turning Agreements Into Revenue  Securing a contract is worth celebrating—but what happens next is just as critical. Do you have a structured process for implementation, or does the contract sit in your inbox waiting for an issue to arise? A robust implementation workflow is essential to ensure accurate and timely reimbursement and avoid preventable denials. Deadline To Comment On CMS' Proposed Rule Is Today thumbnail Deadline To Comment On CMS' Proposed Rule Is Today VGM Group has submitted our comments on the CY26 CMS DMEPOS/Home Health Proposed Rule and encourages you to do the same (if you haven't done so already)!  Our comments provide key recommendations aimed at protecting patient access and supporting the HME community.  VGM's Key Recommendations Include: CONNECT for Health Act Gains Bipartisan Telehealth Support thumbnail CONNECT for Health Act Gains Bipartisan Telehealth Support On April 2, 2025, a bipartisan group of 60 senators reintroduced the CONNECT for Health Act, legislation that would expand patient access to telehealth services through Medicare while removing barriers to adoption. The bill would also make permanent the COVID-19 telehealth flexibilities currently set to expire Sept. 30. The lead sponsors of the bill are Sens. Brian Schatz (D-HI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Mark Warner (D-VA), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Peter Welch (D-VT), and John Barrasso (R-WY). [Vlog] Important Updates Regarding NIPPV NCD thumbnail [Vlog] Important Updates Regarding NIPPV NCD Watch below an important update from Ronda Burhmester, Sr. Director Payer Relations & Reimbursement, VGM & Associates, regarding non-invasive pressure ventilation. Make Your Voice Heard On The Competitive Bidding Program thumbnail Make Your Voice Heard On The Competitive Bidding Program “If the Competitive Bidding Program goes forward, it will be devastating—not just for providers like me but, most importantly, for the patients we serve,” said Jonathan Temple, owner of OxyMed LLC. You Got the Contract! Part 2: Maintaining It thumbnail You Got the Contract! Part 2: Maintaining It In our last article, we discussed the key provisions to be sure you know about your contract. It is critical to understand these provisions to help comply with the contract terms, fulfill your obligations as your business changes, and understand the payer's obligations and your rights under the contract. In this article we discuss some best practices for managing your contracts once you get them. Industry Uncertainty & Advocacy: What You Can Do Now thumbnail Industry Uncertainty & Advocacy: What You Can Do Now The proposed rule introduces broad structural changes without full clarity on implementation timelines or enforcement. Industry groups like VGM, AAHomecare, and CQRC are urging stakeholders to engage in advocacy to shape final rules. To prepare for the sweeping changes in the 2025 CMS Proposed Rule for DMEPOS, companies should take a multi-pronged strategic approach. Here is a breakdown of key preparation strategies:

Give your business an advantage over the competition.

Become a Member