ARLINGTON, Virginia—The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) announced the promotion of Laura Williard to senior vice president of payer relations, reflecting her leadership role in guiding the Association’s payer relations efforts.
ARLINGTON, Virginia—The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) announced it will launch its "WHY Campaign" at Medtrade. The campaign, centered around the question "What's your WHY for being in the HME Industry?", aims to celebrate the passion and dedication of the home medical equipment (HME) community while highlighting the value of HME and the importance of membership in AAHomecare to enhance advocacy efforts.
WASHINGTON—On Sunday, congressional leaders announced an agreement for a narrow health care package as part of appropriations legislation. The package does not include provisions to extend 75/25 Medicare blended rates for durable medical equipment (DME) in nonrural areas. These measures are part of appropriations language set for consideration by March 8.
WASHINGTON—AAHomecare’s lobbying team and other home medical equipment (HME) stakeholders remain engaged in advocating for including extended 75/25 blended-rate relief among health care provisions in government spending packages needed in advance of March 1 and March 8 funding deadlines. HHS funding is subject to the March 8 deadline.
WASHINGTON—The Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractor (DME MAC) Medical Directors published updated Medicare guidelines regarding positive airway pressure (PAP) and respiratory assist device (RAD) supplies.
WASHINGTON—The House of Representatives passed a short-term spending bill Thursday, Jan. 18 to keep the government funded until the beginning of March, buying lawmakers more time to finish the formal appropriations process. This bill does not include various health care extender measures, including a provision to continue the 75/25 blended rate for Medicare reimbursement in nonrural areas the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) reported.
The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) released updates on state-related Medicaid policies and reimbursement rate increases.
Virginia Medicaid durable medical equipment (DME) policy was updated on Jan. 1 to include several revisions sought by industry advocates. Key changes include:
WASHINGTON—Two priority home medical equipment (HME) bills will be considered by the Health Subcommittee of the House Energy & Commerce Committee on Wednesday, Nov. 15:
WASHINGTON—Nearly 100 home medical equipment (HME) advocates will be meeting screen-to-screen with members of Congress and staff to build support for Medicare reimbursement relief legislation on Monday’s special Virtual Hill Day (Nov. 13) with American Association for Homecare (AAHC). The follow-up session to AAHC's Sept. 20 virtual fly-in is focused on raising awareness and understanding the importance of including measures from S. 1294 and H.R.
RALEIGH, N.C.—State and national durable medical equipment (DME) advocates have helped secure a $3.2 million increase for HME in North Carolina, the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) announced.
AAHomecare credited the Atlantic Coast Medical Equipment Services Association (ACMESA) and strong relationships developed with North Carolina Medicaid officials and members of the state legislature for making the win possible.
WASHINGTON— In what was called a "big win" by the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a change request (CR) directing DME MACs to adjust their local edits to allow for 90-day billing for continuous glucose monitor (CGM) supplies to align with blood glucose monitor supplies.
WASHINGTON—The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) and VGM are partnering on a new virtual advocacy event to bolster awareness and support for active Medicare reimbursement legislation as Congress enters final legislative weeks of the year. The Virtual Hill Day, set for Nov. 13, will reinforce the virtual advocacy effort from just a few weeks ago with a focus on reaching targeted members on committees of jurisdiction for federal healthcare finance issues.
The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) added another home medical equipment (HME) industry veteran to the team. Stephanie Legree was named to a newly created project manager position. Legree has more than 20 years of experience at Binson’s Home Health Care in progressively responsible positions, including her most recent role as co-director of the business office and vice president of government affairs.
WASHINGTON—Legislation was introduced Sept. 8 in the House of Representatives aims to increase patient access to a broader selection of wheelchairs. HR 5371, introduced by Rep.
WASHINGTON—New legislation providing relief for suppliers across a broad range of patient segments was introduced by Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) and Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.).
As cost pressures continue to impact the home medical equipment (HME) community, AAHomecare is launching a nationwide survey to gather intel on the rising costs of products, shipping and labor for those providing home oxygen equipment, CPAP devices and/or hospital beds to end users; aggregated information will be used in advocacy efforts.
In a strategic move to strengthen awareness of the critical importance of high-quality, home-based care, AAHomecare announced a new area of focus that will be guided by accomplished industry professional Ashley Plauché, who assumes the role of senior Director of Brand Marketing.
WASHINGTON—A new report from the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) puts a spotlight on potential access issues for patients served by Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs).
The report lists three factors that may be preventing medically necessary care:
Reps. Terry Sewell (D-AL) and Adrian Smith (R-NE) are leading an effort to help maintain strong access to home oxygen for individuals with respiratory challenges.
In a newsletter, AAHomecare (AAHC) announced it and the ALS Association met with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Part C leadership to share concerns about ongoing authorization challenges for medically necessary non-invasive ventilator (NIV) devices by Medicare Advantage (MA) payers. Access to these ventilator systems is especially important for individuals with significant neuromuscular diseases such as ALS.
The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) hopes to bolster its advocacy capabilities in critical areas through the addition of Alexis Ward as Senior Director of Payer Relations, effective June 19, 2023.
