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Medtrade pep talk: Getting to a better future, faster

Medtrade pep talk: Getting to a better future, faster

The HME industry is evolving, and opportunities to innovate are everywhere. From supply chain modernization and retail, to social media and telehealth, the HME community is ramping up the pace of change—and Medtrade is a hub for this movement.

Medtrade is not just a trade show; it is a laboratory for new ideas. The companies here are looking forward, not backward, and are working to promote growth and innovation in HME. Many companies are trying new business models, shifting their product mix, and looking for ways to partner with other post-acute care providers.

Every Medtrade is an opportunity to connect, learn from each other, and work together to find ways our industry can take giant strides forward.

By attending Medtrade, you are a part of a dedicated and passionate community that is committed to the future of home medical equipment as it evolves alongside the transformation of post-acute care. This is the same community that supports AAHomecare as the national trade association for the HME sector. AAHomecare brings together home medical equipment providers, manufacturers and stakeholders to advocate and collaborate for a stronger industry.

Your support this year is especially critical given the broad set of legislative and regulatory issues we've added to our portfolio, including:

• Competitive bidding: building support for short-term and long-term relief strategies, and advocating for the inclusion of Rep. Price's legislative proposal to rein in the 2016 nationwide expansion of bid rates in potential legislative vehicles.

• Audit reform: working to reintroduce a version of last year's AIR Act, the most significant HME audit reform legislation introduced on Capitol Hill in recent memory.

•  Prior authorization: advocating for legislation to create a prior approval process for HME that exempts suppliers from audits if they receive prior approval.

•  Complex rehab: supporting coalition efforts to prevent the application of bid rates to complex rehab accessories.

For those of you who are not already part of AAHomecare, I hope you'll consider joining us. Don't miss our programming at Medtrade, starting with Tuesday morning's Washington Update from 8:00 a.m. to 9:45 am, where we'll share our take on major legislative and regulatory developments, and tell you how you can help advocate for better policies and fairer treatment for the HME sector. Or stop by and talk with AAHomecare staff at our booth (#2210). Finally, please consider joining us at the Stand Up for Homecare reception at 5:30 p.m. at the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday night where you can support enhanced consumer outreach and advocacy efforts on behalf of HME, and network with leaders in our industry.

AAHomecare is proud to represent this industry and proud to be Medtrade's association partner as we all work together toward our shared mission of expanding patient access to quality home care.

Tom Ryan is the CEO of AAHomecare.

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