Millville, N.J. The Jersey Association of Medical Equipment Suppliers has established a 1999 agenda that addresses seven issues. The association's top priority is to continue communication with New Jersey Medicaid managed care associations to reduce continued insolvency and mismanagement of receiving reimbursement, said Terri Maggio, executive director.

JAMES also plans to hold meetings with the Region A Durable Medical Equipment Regional Carrier to address year 2000 computer conversion issues. Also on the agenda is continuing communication with Congress on health care issues that affect Medicare and discussing various issues with the Health Care Financing Administration.

The association also has concerns about surety bonds, which New Jersey providers were required to obtain in 1998. JAMES representatives want to find out if the bond is necessary in 1999 in view of HCFA's statement in 1998 indicating only one bond would be required. Since the Medicare bond has not been implemented, New Jersey providers might find themselves obtaining two bonds, Maggio said.

"We feel it is a pretty aggressive agenda, but these issues are of importance to our membership," Maggio said. "If we achieve resolution, information, or positive action on just one or two of these categories, we will have provided a necessary service to our membership."-M.L.