Bill introduced to ‘maintain and stabilize’ oxygen reimbursement  

WASHINGTON – The Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform Act, which would remove supplemental oxygen from Medicare’s competitive bidding program, has been reintroduced in the Senate and House of Representatives, the Council for Quality Respiratory Care has announced. 

The bill would remove supplemental oxygen from the bid program to establish separate payment rates for non-liquid and liquid oxygen, reflecting the diverse patient needs and oxygen therapy modalities, the organization says. 

“The CQRC applauds Senate and House sponsors for the prompt reintroduction of the SOAR Act in the 119th Congress to maintain and stabilize reimbursement rates for supplemental oxygen supplies and services,” said Robin L. Menchen, president and CEO of Rotech Healthcare and board member of the CQRC. “This legislation will also ensure enhanced respiratory and pulmonary care access, including increased access to high flow modalities for patients to improve independence and quality of life. We look forward to continuing our advocacy for this important legislation by building upon the momentum the SOAR Act received in the previous Congress to ensure it is passed this year.” 

The SOAR Act was introduced by Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-La., Mark Warner, D-Va., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Reps. David Valadao, R-Calif., Julia Brownley, D-Calif., Adrian Smith, R-Neb., and Gabe Evans, R-Colo. 

The bill would also: 

• Establish an add-on payment rate for respiratory therapy services to the supplemental oxygen rate, including the blended rates for rural and other non-urban areas. 
• Establish and require the use of an electronic template created by CMS to make it easier to prevent fraudulent or abusive claims, clarify patient needs and ensure fair reimbursement. 

Similar bills in the 118th Congress, S. 3821 and H.R. 7829., garnered a significant number of co-sponsors, the CQRC says. 

In the past, the organization has championed the bill with numerous stakeholders, including the American Lung Association (ALA), COPD Foundation, American Thoracic Society, American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), the American College of CHEST Physicians and Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. 

• Related: Health care groups push for oxygen reform in new letter. 
• Related: CQRC pushes SOAR Act as part of hearing.