Tag: VGM Government Relations
HME industry under strain
March 22, 2024Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON – Industry stakeholders have been reaching out to policymakers to highlight the “disastrous” impacts of the recent Change Healthcare cyberattack, which piled cash flow concerns on top of low reimbursement issues.
“This is a low margin industry and some of these smaller to mid-sized companies don’t have the balance sheet (to sustain themselves for very long) and they have tough choices to make,” said Tom Ryan, president & CEO of AAHomecare. “They’ve...
Government Relations: Know the mission
March 13, 2024Ike Isaacson
Q. How do I work with legislators that I don’t agree with?
A. Advocate for policy not party! One of my greatest sources of pride in my role is that people really don’t know what “party” I affiliate with. I do have my leanings, and to be sure, I have a core set of beliefs. However, in my role, my focus must be different than in my personal life. To maintain this focus, I have something that I remind myself of any time that my personal and professional role meander...
Government relations: Stay engaged
January 16, 2024Ike Isaacson
Q. What government topics should we be focusing on in 2024?
A. There are several “big ticket” topics to track this year and, of course, there will be more that pop up at the federal level, as well as state-by-state challenges and opportunities. Here are some of the key topics and what to expect.
Medicare coverage for lymphedema compression treatment items: Starting Jan. 1, 2024, Medicare will pay for lymphedema compression treatment items, like compression garments and...
The $64 million question: What is the value of HME?
December 30, 2022Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WATERLOO, Iowa – Alan Morris is back at VGM, but now he has eight years of valuable experience at a health system under his belt.
“I learned a lot about how organizations like these operate and how they depend on and interact with providers of home-based care services,” said Morris, who was named director of research and government strategies for VGM Government Relations in October. “I also learned what makes them tick from a financial and operations perspective.”
Here’s...
VGM Gov’t Relations: Help us determine priorities
November 29, 2022HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM Government Relations has launched a survey to help it determine where to focus its efforts in 2023. During a recent State Leaders Summit hosted by VGM, a group of state and regional association leaders came up with the following top issues: improved reimbursement, audit relief, MCO/Medicaid accountability, among others. VGM is asking providers to prioritize these issues and add others. “We want to hear from you,” it stated in an update. “VGM Government...
VGM hosts state leaders
November 21, 2022HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM Government Relations hosted the leaders of state and regional HME associations at its headquarters here last week. Leaders discussed their priorities for 2023, as well as how to improve their associations. Also part of the meeting: a conference call with Tangita Daramola, CMS’s competitive acquisition ombudsman, and John Hannigan, CMS regional administrator, as well as representatives from regional offices. Each leader was given a few minutes to introduce themselves...
VGM: Push for H.R. 6641
November 3, 2022HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – VGM Government Relations is urging providers to reach out to Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, asking for the DMEPOS Relief Act of 2022 to be included in an end-of-year package.
Introduced in February, H.R. 6641 would extend a 90/10 blended reimbursement rate for the 13 product categories excluded from Round 2021 of competitive bidding through Dec. 31, 2023. The bill currently has 25 co-sponsors.
“HME suppliers...
Frequent flyer: VGM’s Gallagher talks life on the road
November 1, 2022Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
In his role as vice president of government relations for VGM, John Gallagher has learned a thing or two about travel.
“Don’t travel on a Friday and don’t travel through Chicago,” says Gallagher, who also recommends planning for when – not if – your flight gets cancelled.
During some recent downtime at home in Iowa, Gallagher was a guest on HME News in 10, where he shared his experiences as a frequent flyer.
Team wins – across...
Alan Morris returns to VGM
October 18, 2022HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa – Alan Morris has re-joined the VGM Government Relations team as director of research and strategy. Morris previously worked for VGM from 2007-14. “I am excited to be coming back to VGM and seeing all of the ways the VGM has adapted and changed during my time away,” Morris said. “Additionally, I am excited to be placed in a position where I will be able to bring knowledge of regulations, analytics, and consulting to help navigate the ever-changing industry.”...
Disaster Preparedness: Form a team
September 7, 2022Emily Harken
Q. How do I prepare my business for a natural disaster?
A. The key is being proactive and not reactive.
There are many responsibilities a business must maintain. One of those should be routinely updating your emergency preparedness/disaster plan because disaster waits for no one and can hit at any moment. It is also imperative for those who serve oxygen patients or any other life-saving devices to keep updated records of the patient information.
Here are a few other tips:
Schedule...