CMS Issues Disposable Supplies Fix
The American Association for Homecare worked with industry members to raise the unreported open Medicare Part A home health episodes issue to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

WASHINGTON—Last month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented a fix that will impact suppliers who provide disposable medical supplies to Medicare beneficiaries, the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) wrote in a recent newsletter to members. This fix aims to lay the groundwork for ongoing engagement with CMS in order to address denials triggered by unknown Part A episodes. 

Advanced Diabetes Supply, US MED, Omnis Health Bring Diabetes Supplies to NC
The companies brought critical aid & essential diabetes supplies to Asheville, North Carolina, to aid relief efforts after Hurricane Helene

CARLSBAD, California—Advanced Diabetes Supply (ADS) and US MED, two national distributors of specialized diabetes devices, have partnered with Omnis Health—a diabetes testing supplies provider—to bring diabetes testing supplies to the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) in Asheville, North Carolina.

Veterans Medical Supply Receives 2024 HIRE Vets Medallion Award
The company received the Honoring Investments in Recruiting & Employing Veterans Award in recognition of its efforts to recruit, hire & retain veterans

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida—Veterans Medical Supply Inc., a medical supply store, was recognized by Julie Su, United States acting secretary of labor, as one of the recipients of the 2024 Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing Veterans (HIRE Vets) Medallion Award. The award was presented by the U.S. Department of Labor during a virtual award ceremony.

Office of Inspector General Updates Work Plan
The new work plan will include wheelchair repairs & oxygen Medicare payments

WASHINGTON—The Office of Inspector General (OIG) updated its work plan with two new durable medical equipment, prosthetics/orthotics and supplies-related reviews, the American Association for Homecare wrote in a recent e-newsletter to members. The OIG is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is an independent office that reviews the department for fraud, waste and abuse.

Aeroflow Survey Finds Challenges for Nursing Mothers at Work
A survey found that pumping mothers face career impacts

ASHEVILLE, North Carolina—Aeroflow Breastpumps, a national durable medical equipment (DME) provider specializing in helping pregnant and nursing women receive maternity and postpartum supplies, lactation education and perinatal resources through insurance, announced the results of a proprietary survey that highlights the impact p

Molina Healthcare Donates $125K Toward Caregiver Shortages
The funds donated by Molina Healthcare of Michigan intend to remove financial burdens & reduce frequent turnovers in the direct care worker industry

LANSING, Michigan—Molina Healthcare of Michigan, a provider of government-funded health care like Medicare and Medicaid, has partnered with the Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan (4AMI) and the Impart Alliance at Michigan State University to establish a direct care worker (DCW) help fund, which aims to assist professionals in

VGM & Associates Releases Business Management Operations Playbook
The publication aims to provide industry members with operations, finance & customer relations insights

WATERLOO, Iowa—VGM & Associates, a member service organization for durable medical equipment and home medical equipment providers, has released its fourth playbook of the year, “Mastering Business Management and Optimization.” This playbook publication aims to provide actionable insights and advice that enhance business operations, financial health and customer relationships throughout the industry.

VGM Accepting Speaker Proposals for Heartland Conference
VGM & Associates is accepting proposals from prospective speakers for its 2025 Heartland Conference until December

WATERLOO, Iowa—VGM and Associates, a member service organization for durable medical equipment (DME) and home medical equipment (HME) providers, is now accepting proposals from prospective speakers for its annual Heartland Conference. The conference, which offers attendees education on topics like clinical rehab, women's health, respiratory, wound care, regulatory and audits, will take place Monday, June 9 through Wednesday, June 11.

Sen. Klobuchar Addresses IV Solution Shortages Caused by Hurricane
Klobuchar calls on HHS administration to take action in addressing & further preventing IV solutions shortages caused by Hurricane Helene & upcoming Hurricane Milton destruction

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) is urging Xavier Becerra, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and administration officials to use their authority to resolve the national shortage of intravenous (IV) solutions caused by the halt in production at a North Carolina IV fluids manufacturing plant damaged by floods in Hurricane Helene. 

Medtrade Offers ‘Insider’ Rates for Medtrade 2025
The new rates apply to expo & conference passes, with additional rates to follow

DALLAS—Medtrade announced the lowest registration rates for Medtrade 2025 are now in effect. The company said the category, “insider,” is the best available deal for those who wish to attend the Medtrade 2025 Expo and Conference, a national home medical equipment (HME)-focused trade show.

Report Says DME Investment Could Save Medicare $200B Annually
Leitten Consulting released a comprehensive report highlighting the critical need for Medicare to shift its focus from competitive bidding to proactive investment in durable medical equipment.

WATERLOO, Iowa—Leitten Consulting has released a comprehensive report highlighting the critical need for Medicare to shift its focus from competitive bidding to proactive investment in durable medical equipment (DME). The report, authored by Brian Leitten, underscores the cost savings and health benefits of providing timely DME to Medicare beneficiaries. 

AAHomecare to Hold HME Webinars
The upcoming events will focus on advanced e-prescribing & how to withstand reimbursement pressures

ARLINGTON, Virginia—The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) announced it will be holding webinars on the topics of home medical equipment (HME), e-prescribing strategies, durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers and billing in October. The details of the webinars are listed below.

Study Shows CGM Devices Reduce Costs, Improve Care
CCS Medical research reveals diabetes patients receiving a CGM through a medical benefit had lower costs of care, higher device adherence & longer therapy attendance

DALLAS—CCS Medical, a clinical solutions and home-delivered medical supplies provider, announced new research results which found patients living with diabetes who use a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device stay on therapy longer and have a lower total cost of care when they receive their supplies through a medical benefit. 

Survey Reveals Critical Impact of Medicare Cuts, Threatening Access to Care for Millions
The survey gathered insights from 100+ HME suppliers across non-bid,non-rural areas

WASHINGTON—The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) released a comprehensive survey report detailing the impact of Medicare reimbursement cuts for home medical equipment (HME) suppliers that took effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

UnitedHealthcare Pauses Implementation of New MA Model in NC, GA
Delay offers suppliers additional time to understand the new process and requirements

The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) reported that UnitedHealthcare (UHC) recently notified suppliers of its plans to delay implementation of substantially revised HME order and fulfillment processes for DME for members of their Medicare Advantage (MA) plans who are enrolled in HMO and PPO products in North Carolina and Georgia. The implementation date is being moved back one month, from August 1 to September 1.

Rate Hike for HME Secured in North Carolina

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.  

Rate Floor Set for DME in Georgia
AAHomecare, Georgia Association worked together to organize lobby days and ensure Medicaid care management organization pays full fee schedule.

ATLANTA—The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) and the Georgia Association of Medical Equipment Suppliers (GAMES) recently secured a rate floor for durable medical equipment (DME) using regulatory authority, AAHomecare announced. Laura Williard, vice president of payer relations for AAHomecare and state legislative chair for GAMES, worked closely with Peachtree Government Relations and helped organize two lobby days in the state to educate government officials on reimbursemen

AAHomecare, VGM Announce Targeted Virtual Hill Day in November

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.