Sens. Lankford, Hassan lead bipartisan effort to adjust DMEPOS Medicare payments 

WASHINGTON – Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., has introduced S. 2951 to provide adjustments to Medicare payment rates for durable medical equipment (DME) that were previously included in Round 2021 of Medicare’s competitive bidding program. 

At press time, the specific text for S. 2951 wasn’t available, but VGM says it is a companion bill to H.R. 2005, which would re-establish 75/25 blended Medicare reimbursement rates in non-rural/non-bid areas. 

Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., joined as a co-sponsor of the bill, which has been referred to the Finance Committee. 

Industry reaction 

“Special thanks go out to the dedicated DME suppliers and industry stakeholders who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help secure bipartisan support for this legislation,” VGM Government Relations stated in a bulletin. “Their collaboration with the offices of Senators Lankford and Hassan was instrumental in moving the DME Relief Act forward and ensuring the voices of providers and patients were heard.”   

“This new legislation allows us to now advocate for the significant rate relief in both Houses of Congress,” said Tom Ryan, AAHomecare president & CEO. “We need to build awareness and bring more co-sponsors on board for both the new Senate bill and also for the House companion, H.R. 2005.” 

Call to action 

VGM and AAHomecare encourage stakeholders to contact their senators and representatives to support the two bills. See messaging and guidance here and here. 

Background 

Even as they work to delay and/or reshape CMS’s plans for a new round of the program, stakeholders have continued to make advancing reimbursement relief a priority. 

Numerous stakeholders took advantage of the August recess to engage with lawmakers in their home districts on H.R. 2005. 

H.R. 2005, sponsored by Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, currently has 22 cosponsors.