Bid relief languages takes ‘significant step forward’

WASHINGTON – Language that would extend the 75/25 blended Medicare reimbursement rate in non-bid areas through 2024 is included a draft of omnibus health care legislation in advance of a Senate Finance Committee mark-up session that could take place as early as next week. 

Inclusion in this initial draft of legislative language to be considered by the committee does not guarantee the 75/25 provisions from S. 1294 will, ultimately, pass into law, but it's a significant step forward in the legislative process, says AAHomecare in a bulletin. 

HME advocates in states with Senate Finance Committee members are urged to send an email to health care committee staffers this week with this message (in your own words, if possible): 

“Please support language from S. 1294 to extend the 75/25 blended Medicare reimbursement rate for DME through 2024 in upcoming Senate Finance Committee consideration of healthcare legislation (section 405 of related legislative discussion draft). This measure will help DME suppliers continue to provide cost-effective, patient-preferred home-based care and send a message to CMS that a longer-term, market-based solution is needed.” 

These states are represented by a senator on the Finance Committee:  Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming. 

AAHomecare recommends calling the senator’s office and asking for the name and email of the individual who handles health care issues; most offices will readily share that information. 

Pre-drafted emails to Senate Finance Committee members can also be sent using AAHomecare’s Voter Voice system: See the message here.  

The related language can be found in Section 405 of the discussion draft (page 117).