Tag: aahomecare

AAHomecare has worked with TexMEP and other stakeholders to get three bills introduced in the state legislature on rate stability and patient access to quality HME. HB 3679 would require Medicaid managed care organizations to reimburse providers at no less than 95% of the state’s published Medicaid DME fee schedule. HB 3678 would update the insurance code to support Medicaid continuity of care and patient choice language, and ensure adequate reimbursement. HB 3677 would amend...

WASHINGTON – AAHomecare’s Regulatory Council always has a list of challenges it’s working on, but it was nice during its most recent meeting to have something to celebrate: the removal of the budget neutrality requirement for home oxygen therapy.  The change, long-fought for by the industry, will result in a 10% increase in reimbursement, on average, for competitive bidding areas; a 5.1% increase for non-rural areas; and a 4.9% increase for rural...

WASHINGTON – The recently passed $1.9 trillion stimulus package could mean good news and bad news for HME providers, stakeholders say.  The good news: Industry stakeholders are hopeful that now that the package is passed they can make some headway on an assortment of issues, including a yet-to-be-released DMEPOS final rule.  The bad news: Because of a federal requirement that any spending increases be offset by spending cuts the following...

COLUMBIA, S.C. – HME providers are fighting large managed care organizations that are increasingly pushing into more states and offering reduced reimbursement rates, say industry stakeholders.  The straw that’s breaking the camel’s back: The COVID-19 pandemic pushing the cost of doing business even higher, says Craig Douglas, vice president of payer and member relations for VGM.  “Acquisition...

WASHINGTON – AAHomecare this week reported that an updated bill may be introduced to extend the moratorium on the 2% Medicare sequester cuts through the end of 2021 and address other potentially looming cuts. The current moratorium on the sequester cuts is set to expire March 31. “AAHomecare and our health care sector coalition partners have redoubled efforts to engage legislators in support of extending the pause on these cuts,” the association wrote in a bulletin. The...

WASHINGTON – The Council for Quality Respiratory Care has partnered with AAHomecare and the VGM Group to send a one-page letter to CMS urging the agency to publish the DMEPOS final rule as quickly as possible. A proposed rule published in October outlined the agency’s plans to make permanent the 50-50 blended reimbursement rates in rural areas. “In light of the pandemic, it is more important than ever that the Medicare payment system provides stability to suppliers...

WASHINGTON – The Council for Quality Respiratory Care has partnered with AAHomecare and the VGM Group to send a one-page letter to CMS urging the agency to finalize the DMEPOS final rule as quickly as possible.  A proposed rule published in October outlined the agency’s plans to make permanent the 50-50 blended reimbursement rates in rural areas.  “In light of the pandemic, it is more important than ever that the Medicare...

MERION STATION, Pa. – The owner of OxygenWorks, Philomena Baylor, has divested her business to AdaptHealth.  OxygenWorks, based here, is a privately owned, multi-generational company providing a broad spectrum of respiratory equipment and supplies to patients in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey, according to a press release from the company’s adviser, Central HealthCare Group.  Central HealthCare Group is a Philadelphia-based investment banking firm representing...

AAHomecare’s 2021 Washington Legislative Conference will take place virtually on Sept. 29. The daylong event will include virtual meetings with members of Congress. AAHomecare is partnering with Advocacy Associates to deliver a virtual meeting platform that will schedule meetings, provide background on each of the legislators, and allow attendees to connect directly with members of Congress and key legislative staffers. The association will provide more details this spring...Larissa...

In Pennsylvania, AAHomecare is working with PAMS and other stakeholders to address concerns about Tomorrow Health. Tomorrow Health is performing double duty as a provider and a third-party administrator for Geisinger Health, raising concerns that the arrangement could impact patient choice and continuity of care for individuals covered under Geisinger’s Medicaid contract, as well as Medicare Advantage and commercial plans in the state. Providers in the state have seen a significant...