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      Oregon providers fight back

      EUGENE, Ore. - Providers in September were lobbying the 20 members of an emergency board to repeal a nearly 17% reimbursement cut to home medical equipment and supplies.

      Providers met with Sen. Jackie Winters, R-District 10, on Sept. 26. She recommended they write a letter detailing how access and service would be comprised due to the cut, said Tom Coogan, president of the Pacific Association for Medical Equipment Services (PAMES).

      "She's come to our assistance in the past," said Coogan, director of government affairs and managed care relations for Care Medical & Rehabilitation Equipment in Portland, Ore.

      Providers have been fighting back reimbursement cuts to HME for three years. Earlier this year, they worked with legislators to reduce the cut from 20%, as proposed in the governor's budget, to the current 17%.

      The cut goes into effect Nov. 1, 2007. On that day, Medicaid will pay only about 83% of Medicare's allowables.

      Because the state legislature adjourned June 28, and it convenes every two years, the emergency board allocates additional funds, when deemed necessary, in its absence, Coogan said.

      In addition to lobbying members of the emergency board, providers were lobbying consumers and advocacy groups.

      "Different providers in the state are putting info about the cut into the welcome packets they give patients," said Rick Wallaert, a PAMES board member and a territory manager for United Seating & Mobility.

      While they continued to lobby, providers were evaluating whether they could continue providing HME to Medicaid recipients after Nov. 1.

      "Especially for complex rehab, I don't think we would be able to provide power wheelchairs for many of the codes," Wallaert said. "Or we might be able to provide only one chair."

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      CALENDAR

      March 2010
      The American Association for Homecare will host the Washington Legislative Conference, March 1-3, 2010, at the Capital Hilton, Washington, D.C.
      It is impossible to have a strong impact on home medical equipment policy without more involvement on Capitol Hill. In 2010, the home medical equipment community faces continued challenges: competitive bidding, complex mobility policy, the oxygen cap, and other regulatory and legislative concerns.
      So we are asking HME stakeholders to make their voice heard. AAHomecare will provide background materials for this key annual lobbying event for the HME sector. Speakers during the conference will include members of Congress and officials from CMS.
      For more information, please visit www.aahomecare.org

      Attend the CAMPS Convention for only $125 (member pricing) and attend as many of the various sessions. The schedule is divided into tracks to help you determine the best sessions for your interest. This year's line-up includes sessions such as: Business Management, Operations / Reimbursement, Exemptee Training, Respiratory CE*, RESNA RT Prep Test. Earn 6 units of continuing education with the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC). Do not hesitate, register by February 1, 2010 to take advantage of the $50 savings. Register here: http://member.campsone.org/cgi-shl/TWServer.exe?EREG:OrderEvent:2010AM

      May 11-13, Las Vegas at the Sands Expo and Convention Center. This annual event features educational sessions and an exhibit hall where manufacturers show off their latest wares. For more information, or to register: www.medtrade.com/medtrade-spring

      Pennsylvania Association of Medical Equipment Suppliers (PAMS) holds 2010 Annual Billing Seminar featuring Andrea Stark, a reimbursement specialist for MiraVista. Topics covered will include "Documentation Requirements for General DME"; "Utilizing ABNs: A Best Practices Guide"; and "Medicare's Latest Anti-Fraud Initiatives." Registration: $100 for PAMS members and $125 for non-members. Location: Four Points Sheraton in Harrisburg, Pa. FMI: www.pamsonline.org.

      2:00pm - 3:00pm EST
      Join Andrea Stark for the second installation in a special three-part billing series, where you’ll learn how to:
      Prescreen your claims for potential denials.
      Utilize technology to submit claims electronically, reduce the burden on your AR department, and decrease your risk of getting denied.
      dentify potential same or similar, medical necessity, or other eligibility issues (i.e. SNF stays).
      Establish an AR Strategy and ensure that reporting tools effectively capture the vulnerabilities of claim processing to include analysis of claim rejections, days sales outstanding and denials.
      This webinar will provide you with the tips and tools you need to be sure you are properly submitting claims to Medicare, the first time around.

      AMEPA and FAHCS present the third annual Florida Home Care Conference. Scheduled to appear: Walt Gorski (Washington update), Jeff Baird (Legal), Mark Higley (Audits), Sean Schwinghammer (Tallahassee update), Sylvia Toscano (Billing) and Ty Bello (Referrals).
      FMI: visit www.amepa.us or e-mail info@amepa.us


      April 2010
      MAMES is pleased to announce the opening of ONLINE registration for the 2010 MAMES Spring Convention & Exhibition being held April 14 - 16, 2010 in Omaha, Nebraska. Online registration is available by clicking on the following link: http://www.mames.com/confreg_spring.cfm or by going to: www.mames.com and clicking on the "Education" icon on our homepage.

      Annual event features manufacturer exhibits, networking and educational sessions for womens health providers. Louisville, Ky.
      FMI: call 800-988-4484, visit www.essentiallywomen.com or email melissa@essentiallywomen.com


      May 2010
      This free workshop from ACHC will be hosted by Tim Safley.
      Trump International Hotel Las Vegas
      1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
      To register, go to www.achc.org.

      Pennsylvania Association of Medical Equipment Suppliers (PAMS) holds 2010 Annual Convention. This year's theme is "Extreme Makeover: HME Edition." FMI: http://www.pamsonline.org/

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