Critical juncture: AAH, VGM partner on event to push legislation

WASHINGTON – AAHomecare and VGM are partnering on a new virtual advocacy event to bolster awareness and support for Medicare legislation as Congress enters the final legislative weeks of the year.   

The DMEPOS Relief Act of 2023 (H.R. 5555 and S. 1294), would provide a 90/10 blended Medicare reimbursement rate for most home medical equipment products in competitive bidding areas for all of 2024 and extend the current 75/25 blended rate currently in effect in rural/non-CBA areas through 2024.  

The Virtual Hill Day, set for Monday, Nov. 13, will build on AAHomecare’s Washington Legislative Conference on Sept. 20.  

“We’re at a critical juncture for what Medicare rates are going to look like in 2024, as well as for numerous payers those rates influence,” said Tom Ryan, AAHomecare president and CEO. “We have the prospect of 75/25 rates in non-CBAs coming to an end on Jan. 1, and we have active legislation in both chambers for Congress to keep that relief in place, and even to add 90/10 blended relief for CBAs in the House bill.  With those kinds of stakes, we feel the urgency to make one more concerted push to get provisions from H.R. 5555 and S. 1294 into an end-of-year legislative package.” 

AAHomecare and VGM are in the process of developing a list of approximately 100 House and Senate offices to target, with a focus on members of committees of jurisdiction for health care finance issues, and reaching out to selected advocates that match with these offices. They’re also reaching out to state and regional HME association leaders to recruit advocates.   

VGM’s participation will allow the event, which will again use the Advocacy Associates platform, to be free. 

“It is imperative that the industry comes together to act on these pieces of legislation," said Michael Isaacson, senior vice president of government and regulatory relations, VGM. "VGM and AAHomecare continue to work together to ensure that our collective members’ voices are heard, and we are excited to be partners on this important event."  

Stakeholders who have previous advocacy experience, who live/work in a state with a member of the Senate Finance Committee, or a district represented by a member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee or Ways & Means Committee, and who are available for meetings on Nov. 13, should contact Gordon Barnes at gordonb@aahomecare.org for more details.