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COVID-19 relief passes with oxygen, sequester relief 

COVID-19 relief passes with oxygen, sequester relief 

WASHINGTON – A COVID-19 relief package passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate removes the budget neutrality requirement for oxygen products in rural areas, AAHomecare reports. 

“We’re gratified to see that Congress has finally fixed the oxygen budget neutrality issue unfairly impacting rural suppliers,” said Tom Ryan, AAHomecare president and CEO.  “HME stakeholders have been asking Congress and CMS to address this problem since 2016, and those sustained grassroots advocacy efforts have paid off with a long-term win for our industry.”  

Previously, in September, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved H.R. 8158, a bill that would eliminate the budget neutrality requirement for oxygen products in rural areas. 

The COVID-19 relief package also provides a three-month extension of the moratorium on 2% Medicare sequester cuts beyond their current Dec. 31 expiration date, the association says. 

“While I believe a longer extension is warranted, this measure of relief will support the entire healthcare continuum’s work to bring the pandemic under control,” said Ryan. 

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