Tag: MAMES
Thune discusses challenges with HME providers
June 30, 2022HME News Staff
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., met with MAMES members in Sioux Falls, S.D., on June 29 to discuss the critical issues facing the HME industry.
Members, as well as executives from AAHomecare and The VGM Group, discussed critical staffing shortages, cost increases and surcharges, flawed reimbursement rates and burdensome documentation requirements.
“Sen. Thune spent an hour listening to MAMES members explain how they were an integral part of the health care...
In brief: Cost pressures, acquisitions, diversity
May 13, 2022HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa – The cost of delivering home medical equipment continues to rise, according to the results of a new survey from VGM & Associates.
The survey of nearly 100 HME providers in eight regions of the U.S. looked at the increase in cost of goods, employee wages and freight, as well as cost of delivery per mile, PPE and average wages.
“While I suspected the various costs and related factors in securing appropriate HME delivery services would increase –...
MAMES elects board members
May 11, 2022HME News Staff
DES MOINES, Iowa – MAMES held its annual board of directors election at its recent conference and exhibition. The association welcomed the following members at the conference:
Minnesota: Jesse Neumann, Corner Home Medical
Associate director (represents MAMES associate members on the board): Jay Kopriva, VGM & Associates
Board members re-elected to the board for another three-year term:
Kansas: Sam Cress, Cherub Medical Supply
Minnesota: Jacques Beasley,...
Cherub Medical talks supply chain concerns
January 25, 2022HME News Staff
SHAWNEE, Kan. – Cherub Medical Supply hosted Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kan., on Jan. 24 to discuss the impact of supply chain challenges on its business and patients, according to a release from Davids and MAMES.
In addition to Sam Cress of Cherub Medical, Nick Hulsing of Reliable Medical Supplies and Rose Schafhauser of MAMES attended the meeting.
“As a small business caring for medically fragile children in Kansas City, we have faced many issues due to rising costs, semiconductor...
In brief: Philips recall, Senate honor, NPWT bill
July 22, 2021HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – VGM has asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to expedite its approval process for a replacement foam for respiratory devices affected by the Philips recall.
“We are requesting accelerated approval from the FDA for this critical replacement component for approved technicians to rapidly start the process of replacing/repairing all recalled units,” states VGM in a letter to the agency.
Philips on June 14 announced a voluntary recall of certain...
Conferences: Medtrade West 2022, MAMES
July 22, 2021HME News Staff
The deadline to submit proposals to present at Medtrade West 2022 is July 30. Show organizers seek submissions on topics for business operations, managed care payers, legal, retail, executive leadership and planning, and sales and marketing by solo presenters, panel discussions and collaborative teams. Medtrade West is scheduled for April 4-6, 2022, at the Phoenix Convention Center. Submit your proposal here…Registration is now open for the MAMES fall conference. “MAMES 2021: Together...
In brief: Sequestration cuts, Better Health’s debut, NSM’s latest buy
March 26, 2021HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives has passed a bill that would extend the moratorium on the 2% Medicare sequestration cuts from March 31, 2021, to Dec. 31, 2021.
H.R. 1868, which passed 246-175, would also exempt the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan from the statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, eliminating an additional 4% Medicare cut that would amount to about $36 billion in 2022.
On March 15, Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H.,...
Minnesota: MAMES testifies on recoupments, Gov. rescinds vent cuts
March 24, 2021HME News Staff
MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota’s Department of Human Services should not be able to recoup payments from DME providers for items provided prior to July 1, 2019, as part of the agency’s attempts to become compliant with the 21st Century Cures Act, says MAMES Executive Director Rose Schafhauser. She testified before the state’s Senate Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee via Zoom on March 22 on SF 1128, a bill...
Minnesota: Budget includes DME cuts, but it lacks Senate support
February 3, 2021HME News Staff
MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s 2022-2023 budget recommendations include cuts to DME, according to a bulletin from MAMES. Specifically, the budget proposes changing the Medical Assistance reimbursement formula for durable medical equipment that is also covered by Medicare but is not currently subject to the upper payment limit to the equivalent of the Medicare rate. The state’s Department of Human Services estimates the...
MAMES seeks feedback on prior auth delays
January 27, 2021HME News Staff
MADISON, Wis. – MAMES requests examples from Michigan-based providers on situations were a prior authorization submitted for a traditionally non-covered item required more information, causing delays in patient access. As of Aug. 1, 2020, Wisconsin Medicaid removed the list of non-covered items from the DME service area of the Online Handbook in accordance with a federal statute. Since then, the MAMES Insurance Committee has been working on issues related to this change and...