Webinar: "Navigating The New CMS Landscape: RADs, HMVs, and Supplier Survival" on June 25 at 1 p.m. CT.

Published in Government Relations on June 17, 2025

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released its final National Coverage Determination (NCD) for RADs and HMVs used in treating chronic respiratory failure due to COPD. While the rule potentially expands access to bilevel ST therapy (RADs), it also introduces complex compliance requirements, tighter usage criteria, and increased documentation burdens—without additional reimbursement. 

Join industry experts Ronda Buhrmester, Kim Cuce’, Noel Neil, Zach Gantt, and Ray Gregg as they break down the key changes, explore the operational and financial impact on DME suppliers, and offer actionable strategies to navigate the new landscape. This session is essential for providers, billing teams, and clinicians working in the post-acute care space who need to stay ahead of regulatory shifts and ensure continuity of care for patients.  

Key Takeaways

  • Understand the new initial and continuing coverage criteria for RADs and HMVs 
  • Learn how to manage compliance and documentation under the new rule 
  • Explore the implications for hospital discharge planning and patient transitions 
  • Get tips for staff training, referral education, and revenue cycle adjustments 

Sign up here to view the webinar on June 25.


Victory for NY Medicaid: NEMEP Secures 100% Rate Floor 

HUGE WIN for NEMEP and NY Medicaid – 100% Rate Floor 

nemep

Posted by NEMEP on Friday, June 13, 2025 

Yesterday, the New York Senate passed long-sought Medicaid rate floor legislation, S. 1616, on a unanimous vote. The State Assembly affirmed a companion bill (A2520) earlier in the week, also by a unanimous tally. 
 
The bills require Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) to reimburse DME providers at no less than 100% of the state’s published Medicaid durable medical equipment and complex rehabilitation technology fee schedule. Currently, some MCOs reimburse DME providers at less than half of the Medicaid fee-for-service fee schedule for identical devices and supplies paid in the fee-for-service system. 
 
“By providing parity, this will ensure access when beneficiaries transfer from one MCO plan to another and prevent multiple reimbursement rates for the same item and service,” said John Quinlan, President of the Northeast Medical Equipment Providers (NEMEP) and President of Quinlan's Home Medical. “Setting rate parity will help protect access to care for NY Medicaid beneficiaries and support NY businesses who provide these valuable services.” 
 
“NEMEP, AAHomecare, VGM and other stakeholders advocated tirelessly for fair reimbursement that allows us to better support patients and reduce the time they spend in clinical or institutional settings,” continued Quinlan. “These sustained efforts ultimately paid off with unanimous support for rate floor legislation in both the Assembly and the Senate.” 
 
“The New York DME community thanks Assemblymember John McDonald III and Senator Gustavo Rivera for their steadfast support and leadership in securing unanimous passage,” said David Chandler, NEMEP Board Member and AAHomecare Vice President of Payer Relations.  
 
“I started working on this legislation with NEMEP leading up to its initial introduction in 2021, added Chandler. “We have gained momentum each legislative session since and have finally secured a big win that improves access to quality home-based care in New York state. The leaders at NEMEP deserve a lot of credit for their persistence in making the case for this policy though multiple sessions.”  
 
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has until December 31st to sign the measure into law. 

Beth Bowen, Executive Director adds, “NEMEP leadership has been tirelessly working toward this goal for years holding weekly lobbyist meetings with our solid team at Ostroff & Associates. Many trips to Albany pared with virtual sessions provided the advocacy we needed to set NEMEP providers up for success. A HUGE thank you to all who worked so hard to achieve this goal – it is apparent that with the unanimous vote, the lawmakers understand how important our industry is to the well-being of the beneficiaries in NY. We will update you when Governor Hochul signs into law!” 

From Our Experts

Legislative Momentum in the HME Industry: Key Updates & Action Items thumbnail Legislative Momentum in the HME Industry: Key Updates & Action Items The past few months have seen a surge of legislative activity in the home medical equipment sector, with several key developments shaping policy and advocacy efforts across the industry. From new bills introduced in Congress to formal comment submissions and stakeholder mobilization, these events reflect growing momentum around critical issues affecting providers and patients alike. This article offers a comprehensive recap of recent actions and outlines important next steps for those... VGM Submits Comments Regarding the Section 232 National Security Investigation On Medical Imports thumbnail VGM Submits Comments Regarding the Section 232 National Security Investigation On Medical Imports VGM has submitted formal comments to the U.S. Department of Commerce in response to its Section 232 National Security Investigation into the importation of personal protective equipment (PPE), medical consumables, and medical equipment and devices. Senate Backs DME Relief Act with Bipartisan Support thumbnail Senate Backs DME Relief Act with Bipartisan Support In a significant development for the durable medical equipment (DME) industry and Medicare beneficiaries, the U.S. Senate has introduced S.2951, the companion legislation to H.R. 2005, known as the DMEPOS Relief Act of 2025. The Senate bill is being led by Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and has gained bipartisan support with Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) joining as a co-sponsor. Gov't Shutdown: What It Means for Providers thumbnail Gov't Shutdown: What It Means for Providers As expected, Democrats and Republican members of the Senate was unable to agree on terms in passing a continuing resolution (CR) ahead of the October 1st deadline, resulting in a government shutdown. But how did we get here? Oppose DMEPOS Bidding Expansion – Take Action Now thumbnail Oppose DMEPOS Bidding Expansion – Take Action Now A critical Congressional Sign-On Letter is now circulating in the House of Representatives, led by Reps. Neal Dunn (R-FL) and Greg Murphy (R-NC). This bipartisan letter calls on CMS to stop the proposed expansion of the durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program to include ostomy and urological supplies. Gov't Shutdown & Telehealth Flexibility Expiration thumbnail Gov't Shutdown & Telehealth Flexibility Expiration September 30 represents an important date for HME providers for two reasons: 1) The potential of a government shutdown and how that affects HHS and CMS, and 2) the expiration of Telehealth Flexibilities unless a Continuing Resolution (CR) is agreed upon in time. Josh Turek Visits VGM to Champion Accessibility & Advocacy thumbnail Josh Turek Visits VGM to Champion Accessibility & Advocacy Waterloo, IA — On Monday, VGM Group hosted the first of our “Meet The Candidate” forums by welcoming Iowa State Representative Josh Turek, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate seat soon to be vacated by Senator Joni Ernst. VGM & NCART Rally in D.C. to Defend CRT & HME Access thumbnail VGM & NCART Rally in D.C. to Defend CRT & HME Access Washington, D.C. – September 2025 — A powerful few days of advocacy wrapped up in the nation's capital as representatives from VGM Group, NCART, AAHomecare, and other key stakeholders in the Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) and Home Medical Equipment (HME) industries met with lawmakers to address urgent policy concerns.