Tag: Public Health Emergency
Post-PHE: Brush up on rules to guard against audits
May 26, 2023Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WATERLOO, Iowa – With the public health emergency officially over, HME providers need to prepare for a return to “normal” – including a return to audits, say industry stakeholders.
On April 28, ahead of the PHE ending on May 11, CMS published directions for claims impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the agency’s guidance: Continue to use the CR modifier for rentals and supplies, and return to proof of delivery with a patient’s signature.
“During...
In brief: AAH survey, CR modifier, Option Care network
May 3, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare’s strategic priorities survey is live.
The brief survey seeks input from all areas of the home medical equipment sector, including suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, service providers and association executives. It will remain open through May 12.
“Just as our health care system is changing, AAHomecare must evolve to support its wide range of stakeholders,” said Josh Marx, CEO of Medical Service Company and chairman...
CMS OKs continued use of CR modifier
May 2, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The DME MACs have published new directions that state for claims impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, HME providers can continue to use the CR modifier and COVID-19 narrative for ongoing rental and supplies/accessories after the public health emergency ends on May 11, AAHomecare reports.
The instructions rescind the announcement in an MLN Connects in March that directed providers to stop using the CR modifier after the end of the PHE.
“To address concerns...
In brief: PHE protection, Best Buy partnership, AAH support
March 10, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Industry stakeholders have joined major respiratory associations in asking the Department of Health and Human Services to protect access to respiratory products for patients who qualified for care under relaxed guidelines during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
In a letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, the group, which includes AAHomecare, VGM, the American Association for Respiratory Care, the American Lung Association, the American Thoracic Society, the Council...
Ready and waiting for change
March 6, 2023Liz Beaulieu, Editor
2023 has a different feel to it already.
A big change that’s immediately staring us in the face: Medtrade. That’s the Medtrade, as in the only Medtrade and newly in Dallas, not Atlanta or Las Vegas or more recently Phoenix, Medtrade.
Per usual, we have special coverage on the show starting on page 21, including a story on the excitement exhibitors have and a Q&A with speakers Ronda Buhrmester and Collin Donaghue on one of the hottest markets in HME right now (CGMs, silly). Oh, and...
CMS to provide guidance on sunsetting of PHE
February 23, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – COVID-19 remains a significant priority for the Biden-Harris Administration and over the next several months, CMS will work to ensure a smooth transition. The Department of Health and Human Services announced Feb. 9 that the public health emergency will end May 11, 2023. During the PHE, CMS has used a combination of emergency authority waivers, regulations, enforcement discretion, and sub-regulatory guidance to ensure easier access to care during the PHE for health care providers...
In brief: PHE ends, CMS audits Medicare Advantage, CQRC calls for safeguards
February 3, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden has announced that the public health emergency will end on May 11, 2023.
Under the last declaration in January, the PHE was set to end on April 11.
“The advance notice goes beyond HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra’s previous guidance to health care stakeholders that the agency would provide at least 60 days advance notice before ending the PHE,” AAHomecare noted in a bulletin.
Knowing when the PHE will end gives industry...
PHE will end in May
January 31, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden has announced that the public health emergency will end on May 11, 2023.
Under the last declaration in January, the PHE was set to end on April 11.
“The advance notice goes beyond HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra’s previous guidance to health care stakeholders that the agency would provide at least 60 days advance notice before ending the PHE,” AAHomecare noted in a bulletin.
Knowing when the PHE will end gives industry...
PHE extended through April 11
January 12, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has extended the public health emergency for an additional 90-day period through April 11, 2023. While the PHE remains in effect, the 75/25 blended rate in non-rural/non-competitive bid areas will remain in effect, along with other policies tied to the status of the PHE. Those other policies include providing flexibility to expand the use of home-based respiratory products and continuous glucose monitors; implementing waivers of...
CMS clarifies audit plans
November 11, 2022HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – CMS plans to primarily focus MAC, RAC and SMRC medical reviews on claims with dates of service outside of the public health emergency, the agency stated in a recent clarification.
CMS stated:
“During the PHE, flexibilities were applied across claim types. For certain DME items, this included the non-enforcement of clinical indications for coverage. Since clinical indications for coverage were not enforced for certain DME items provided during the PHE, once...