The health care sector is undergoing a major transformation driven by technological advances that deliver more efficient, accessible and patient-centered health care. To meet the growing demand for high-quality home-based care, home medical equipment (HME) suppliers and manufacturers must keep pace with these innovations to effectively meet their patients’ needs and take full advantage of the opportunities ahead.
While continued technological advancement is inevitable in the health care space, the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) is working to accelerate the pace of adoption and ensure our interests are protected as products and practices continue to evolve. Here are a few areas that we aim to focus on in 2025 to guarantee the HME sector is part of leading these health care innovations.
1. E-prescribing is ready for the spotlight.
Many HME suppliers are embracing e-prescribing systems as an avenue to increase efficiency and accuracy in the ordering and fulfillment processes, while also scoring the benefits of reduced costs and a better patient experience. This technology is available now, with several robust platforms competing for market share even as they work together to help make e-prescribing commonplace in HME.
The benefits of moving from fax machines to e-prescribing are clear: More accurate orders, quicker authorizations, lower administrative costs and better integration into patient records are outcomes that patients, suppliers and payers can embrace.
An increased use of e-prescribing can help stop criminals who attempt to defraud Medicare—like the fraudulent companies that submitted claims for more than $3 billion for urinary catheters in 2023 and were caught in 2024. While these schemes have nothing in common with the work of thousands of HME companies nationwide, we certainly have something to gain from seeing fraudulent companies becoming a thing of the past.
AAHomecare is continuing to work with policymakers, payers and clinicians to refine standards and spur e-prescribing adoption, as well as to offer educational resources to help suppliers take advantage of this technology. There’s no doubt in my mind that e-prescribing is going to become the standard in the HME sector and throughout health care at large, and I think we should get to that point as soon as possible.
2. Let’s expand the use of clinical templates.
Clinical templates are another means to capture accurate data and speed up accessibility of medically necessary equipment and supplies. AAHomecare continues to work with contractors and Medicare to expand the use of e-templates and clinical data elements to meet medical documentation requirements. These templates help physicians improve quality of care and focus on relevant clinical information when ordering durable medical equipment (DME). In addition, standardized and accurate templates make it easier for suppliers to demonstrate compliance under audits and reviews.
3. We must protect access to evolving CGM technology.
Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) have revolutionized diabetes management since their market introduction two decades ago. As these devices continue to evolve, they provide more accurate data, less invasive sensors and increased connectivity, which allows for the seamless sharing of data with smartphones, caregivers and health care providers.
AAHomecare is working to ensure that our members who supply CGMs and other diabetes products can play an active role in shaping policy on reimbursement, adherence and supplier access for this growing market. In 2022, we formed our diabetes council, which has since become one of our most active member-driven groups.
With advancing technology and booming market growth, maintaining patient access through the DME benefit is a priority for AAHomecare and our diabetes council. We have engaged with additional lobbying and legal support in countering efforts that limit CGMs to the pharmacy channel for patients covered by Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and other managed care payers.
A recent study showed patients who get their CGMs through the DME channel have 23% higher adherence levels and generate 35% less in overall health care costs than individuals who acquire these devices through the pharmacy channel. These results are due, in part, to HME suppliers having the necessary technological savvy to offer personalized education, training and support for CGM devices, which ensures that patients understand how to use them effectively. This is an advantage we must strengthen—and make clear to policymakers and payers—to ensure our industry remains a leader in the CGM and diabetes management spaces.
4. Open a new window into reimbursement rates.
In 2020, CMS finalized a rule that requires group health plans and commercial payers to disclose pricing information for covered items and services; however, accessing this data is time-consuming and challenging.
AAHomecare has partnered with a medical information provider to make this information more accessible to our industry by developing a portal that allows suppliers to tap into data from more than 60 major commercial insurers and better understand reimbursement trends and payment rates. This data will allow rate comparison with those offered by other suppliers and will help with payer negotiations.
We’re excited to see how supplier member companies leverage data from our payer transparency portal to make more informed business decisions and benchmark against their peers.
5. Technology will be a highlight on Medtrade’s show floor and classrooms.
Medtrade 2025 is right around the corner and will offer a first-hand look at the latest technological advancements in HME products from the most innovative companies in the industry. Medtrade is once again offering its “Tech Talks” in the exhibit space—a 30-minute live, interactive presentation that showcases various technology solutions that can boost your bottom line.
The focus on these technologies goes beyond the exposition floor, as Medtrade also offers a technology and innovation track that covers topics like leveraging artificial intelligence, preparing for cyberattack disruptions (like 2024’s Change Healthcare incident), innovations in distribution and opportunities and challenges in e-prescribing.
If you’re attending Medtrade 2025—which will be held Feb. 18-20 in Dallas—I hope you’ll take the opportunity to meet the AAHomecare team at Booth 415 and join us for the AAHomecare update and the Stand Up For Homecare fundraising reception on Wednesday, Feb. 19.
During these events, we want to hear about how you’re serving your patients and building your business, and we’ll share how AAHomecare is working to help the HME community meet today’s—and prepare for tomorrow’s—challenges.