Tag: VGM Government Relations

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...

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...

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...

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.”...

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...

WATERLOO, Iowa – For every $1 CMS invests in DME and supplies to prevent pressure sores, it will see a return of $38.54 in reduced or avoided treatment costs, according to an updated study from VGM Government Relations and Leitten Consulting.  DME and supplies to prevent pressure sores was one of three new categories included in the study. The others: catheters and related urological supplies, and diabetic test strips and monitors.  “As CMS forced prices down and treatment...

WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM Government Relations has added a new feature to its website that tracks state and federal legislation. In 2020, VGM purchased the Fiscal Note program to track DME and women’s health issues by keyword searches and over the past year it has been working on a product that it could share with members and state and regional associations. The Legislative Tracker allows users to select a state from a map to see a list of DME-related bills and links with more information....

MONTOUR FALLS, N.Y. – Quinlan’s Pharmacy in November hosted an event with Joe Sempolinksi, who is running to replace Rep. Tom Reed, R-N.Y., who is not seeking another term in 2022. John Quinlan and other stakeholders discussed their concerns, including the need to extend reimbursement for non-rural and rural areas, and to establish new rates for competitive bid areas due to increased costs of equipment, PPE, surcharges and labor. “I was very impressed with candidate Sempolinski...

WATERLOO, Iowa – For HME providers, the need for information and confirmation on waivers related to the public health emergency has ebbed and flowed with surges in COVID-19 cases, says Ronda Buhrmester of VGM Government Relations.  “Back in the spring, the hotspots were big cities and they were the ones dealing with the impact of the pandemic, while other areas were not,” said Buhrmester, senior director of payer relations....

WATERLOO, Iowa – The VGM Group hosted a socially distanced and masked-up meeting with newly elected member of Congress, Ashley Hinson, at its corporate headquarters on Jan. 25. Rep. Hinson, R-Iowa, met with VGM senior leadership, as well as John Gallagher, Tom Powers and Emily Harkin of the Government Relations team. The group discussed concerns within the HME industry, primarily decreased reimbursement rates and regulatory burdens. “The discussion was constructive, and both parties were...