Tag: Interim final rule

WASHINGTON - A group of senators and representatives from West Virginia has sent a letter to CMS Administrator Seema Verma saying the agency's May 9 interim final rule “does not go far enough” to ensure continued access to DME for the elderly and disabled in rural areas.The group points out that, while the IFR reinstates 50/50 blended reimbursement rates, it only does so for rural and non-contiguous areas, not all non-competitive bidding areas. “We were hopeful that the IFR would...

WASHINGTON - Tom Price's resignation from the Department of Health and Human Services shouldn't have an impact on a pending interim final rule, industry stakeholders say. What's lesser known: Whether it will have an impact on a final fix for the competitive bidding program.The IFR, which promises to provide relief from bid-related pricing in non-bid areas, is waiting to be cleared by the Office of Management and Budget—something that could happen any day now, stakeholders say.“All the...

WASHINGTON - Rep. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers, R-Wash., has launched a congressional sign-on letter that asks the Office of Management and Budget to clear a competitive bidding-related interim final rule currently under its review, AAHomecare reports.In the letter to Director Mick Mulvaney, McMorris-Rodgers specifically asks the OMB to extend the payment rates that were in effect in non-bid areas on Jan. 1, 2016, through the end of 2018.“We strongly urge you to take quick action and clear this rule...

WASHINGTON - The website of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs and the Office of Management and Budget now shows an interim final rule pending review titled “Durable Medical Equipment Fee Schedule, Adjustments to Resume the Transitional 50/50 Blended Rates to Provider Relief in Non-Competitive Bidding Areas.”It sounds promising, industry stakeholders agree, but because the IFR hasn't been published yet, they have more questions than answers and, therefore, have refrained...