News
AASM pushes for permanent telehealth coverage
December 17, 2024HME News Staff
DARIEN, Ill. – The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has issued a new position statement calling for permanent telehealth coverage, emphasizing its essential role in providing high-quality, patient-centered care for individuals with sleep disorders.
The AASM says the position statement, published as an accepted paper in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, comes at a crucial turning point as current telehealth flexibilities implemented by the CMS in response to the COVID-19 public...
AAH to launch Payer Transparency Portal
December 16, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare has announced a new benefit for its HME provider members in 2025: the Payer Transparency Portal.
The association says the portal will provide:
Nationwide payer insights: Tap into data from more than 60 major commercial insurers to understand reimbursement trends and payment rates.
Competitive benchmarking: Compare your reimbursement rates to those of your peers and competitors.
Smarter negotiations: Leverage detailed data segmented by payer,...
CMS announces CPI-U increase
December 13, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – CMS has published a CPI-U increase for DMEPOS that ranges from 2.4% to 3% for calendar year 2025, AAHomecare reports.
Although the CPI-U is 3%, the inflation adjustment will differ depending on whether the item has been included in the competitive bidding program and whether the patient’s zip code is in a former competitive bidding area.
Below are the CPI-U adjustments for 2025:
CBP items in former CBAs (projected percentage change): +2.9%
CBP...
Medtrade preview: Kerry Tyler wants every attendee to leave inspired
December 13, 2024Liz Beaulieu, Editor
DALLAS – For those who are ready to put the work in, Kerry Tyler says inspiration will be ready for the taking at Medtrade 2025, whether it’s through the new Managed Care Track in the conference program, the returning Tech Talks on the show floor or the Welcome to Dallas Reception and other networking events.
“‘Inspiration exists but it has to find you working’ is a Pablo Picasso quote that I like,” said Tyler, associate show director. “It implies...
In brief: Nationwide Medical ‘unlocks potential,’ Dynamic Infusion makes buy, Insulet awarded damages
December 13, 2024HME News Staff
CALABASAS, Calif. – Nationwide Medical, a sleep and respiratory provider that operates in 49 states and serves more than 100,000 patients, has formed a growth partnership with Heritage Group, a health care-focused private equity firm.
“Today marks an exciting milestone for Nationwide Medical,” said CEO David Siegel. “We have operated as a family-owned business for over 20 years and are incredibly proud of our continued dedication to putting patients first and...
In brief: Medicare spending, OIG savings, telehealth flexibility, cath reviews
December 11, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Medicare spent 27% more, on average, for people who were covered by traditional Medicare after disenrolling from Medicare Advantage than for people who were continuously covered by traditional Medicare, after adjusting for differences in health status and other characteristics, according to a new analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
This is a difference of $2,585 in Medicare spending per person, on average, between the two groups in 2022.
Other highlights...
New KFF analysis examines spending for traditional Medicare, MA
December 9, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Medicare spent 27% more, on average, for people who were covered by traditional Medicare after disenrolling from Medicare Advantage than for people who were continuously covered by traditional Medicare, after adjusting for differences in health status and other characteristics, according to a new analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
This is a difference of $2,585 in Medicare spending per person, on average, between the two groups in 2022.
Other highlights...
Billing software: Advancements needed, respondents say
December 6, 2024Liz Beaulieu, Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine – When it comes to a wish list for their billing software, the respondents to a recent HME Newspoll say it’s all about integrating various capabilities, doing more to leverage artificial intelligence and streamlining their costs.
Respondents reported they’d like to see their billing software integrated with other programs that manage everything from appointments to patient therapies to electronic signatures to mask fittings.
“I would like...
In brief: Reimbursement relief, MA guardrails, Numotion pilot
December 6, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – More than 30 leading patient advocacy organizations have weighed in with congressional leadership to support including provisions from H.R. 5555 and S. 1294 in any legislative package that moves before the end of the year, AAHomecare reports.
In a Dec. 2 letter from the ITEM Coalition, the groups assert that the expiration of 75/25 blended Medicare reimbursement rates on Jan. 1, 2024, has resulted in a “crushing blow to DMEPOS suppliers and providers, threatening...
Patient advocacy groups press leadership on reimbursement relief
December 4, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – More than 30 leading patient advocacy organizations have weighed in with congressional leadership to support including provisions from H.R. 5555 and S. 1294 in any legislative package that moves before the end of the year, AAHomecare reports.
In a Dec. 2 letter from the ITEM Coalition, the groups assert that the expiration of 75/25 blended Medicare reimbursement rates on Jan. 1, 2024, has resulted in a “crushing blow to DMEPOS suppliers and providers, threatening...