Tag: aahomecare

WASHINGTON – In recent comments to CMS’s DMEPOS proposed rule, AAHomecare introduced the idea of a 90/10 blended reimbursement rate in the former competitive bidding areas. Here’s what Kim Brummett, vice president of regulatory affairs for the association, had to say about what stakeholders hope will be a “reasonable” ask – to base rates in those areas 90% on the current rates and 10% on the 2015 unadjusted fee schedule –...

ORLANDO, Fla. – Rotech Healthcare has obtained $425 million in new financing via an amended and reinstated credit agreement with a diverse group of lenders. The provider used part of the proceeds to pay a $100 million dividend to its holding company and will use the remainder to support growth through strategic acquisitions. “This new credit agreement provides Rotech with sufficient capital over the next five years to continue our growth strategies, as well as to provide a $100...

WASHINGTON ­– Non-competitive bidding areas will see a slight decrease in Medicare reimbursement, based on the 2021 fee schedule CMS released last week.  Rural areas will see a decrease of about 0.2% and non-rural areas will see a decrease of about 0.5%, according to an analysis of the top 25 HCPCS codes by AAHomecare.  CMS will continue to apply the CARES Act relief rates in rural and non-rural areas, resulting in rates in non-rural...

WASHINGTON ­– Non-competitive bidding areas will see a slight decrease in Medicare reimbursement, based on the 2021 fee schedule CMS released earlier this week.  Rural areas will see a decrease of about 0.2% and non-rural areas will see a decrease of about 0.5%, according to an analysis of the top 25 HCPCS codes by AAHomecare.  CMS will continue to apply the CARES Act relief rates in rural and non-rural areas, resulting...

WASHINGTON – Industry stakeholders are making a final push to get H.R. 8158 included in an omnibus package that must pass before the 116th session of Congress convenes.  The bill, spearheaded by Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., and Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa, would remove the budget neutrality requirement for home oxygen therapy in rural areas.  “We’re doing our best to convince the committees of jurisdiction that...

WASHINGTON – CMS has announced a 0.6% CPI-U adjustment to the 2021 DMEPOS fee schedule for products previously subject to competitive bidding provided in bid areas, AAHomecare reports. The adjustment for suppliers in rural and other non-bid areas in expected to be even less, the association says. “A less-than-1% price increase for 2021 is another example of a Medicare reimbursement methodology for HME that is not connected to the economic reality suppliers face,”...

WASHINGTON – Reps. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., and David McKinley, R-West Va., have introduced legislation to prevent Medicare reimbursement cuts to health care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic, AAHomecare reports. H.R. 8840, the Medicare Sequester COVID Moratorium Act, would continue to pause the 2% Medicare sequester cuts through the public health emergency. “Suspending the 2% Medicare sequester cut has been especially helpful to the home medical equipment...

WASHINGTON - AAHomecare is asking government officials to include DMEPOS suppliers in the first group of health care professionals to get vaccinated for COVID-19. In letters to officials at the Department of Health and Human Services and leadership at Operation Warp Speed, AAHomecare stressed the close contact that suppliers have with patients in home-based settings and highlighted the important role the industry plays in meeting the challenges posed by the pandemic. “DMEPOS suppliers...

WASHINGTON ­- AAHomecare is asking members to use its Action Center to register support for extending a moratorium on Medicare sequestration cuts, which is set to expire Dec. 31. AAHomecare is also urging them to register support for H.R. 8158, a bill introduced by Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., and Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa that would remove the budget neutrality requirement for oxygen in rural areas. In September, the House Energy & Commerce Committee approved H.R. 8158. The association would...

WASHINGTON - HME providers that submitted bids for Round 2021 of competitive bidding now have the ability to view their financial score in Connexion. As part of the bid process, the competitive bidding implementation contractor evaluated a bidder's financial health by reviewing financial documents and calculating a financial score. The financial score is available to all bidders, even those that bid on the 13 product categories that were recently removed from the bid program. AAHomecare encourages...