In brief: No reimbursement relief, MGA Homecare deal, Henry Schein ‘Cheer’

WASHINGTON – Provisions to restore Medicare’s 75/25 blended reimbursement rates in non-bidding, non-rural areas are not a part of the end-of-year legislative package being considered by Congress, according to AAHomecare. 

At press time, the measure to keep the government funded through mid-March 2025 was up in the air. 

Industry stakeholders have been working all year to build support for its priority legislation, H.R. 5555 and S.1294, which would extend the blended rates for an additional year. While DME relief had tremendous support on the Hill, negotiators could not reach an agreement on the DME relief, and the 75/25 provisions were not included in the final bill, says the association. 
“While we are disappointed to come up short in securing this relief, AAHomecare is looking ahead to taking up this issue again when the 119th Congress convenes in January," the association stated in the bulletin. "AAHomecare leaders discussed strategy to move forward on a call yesterday. The new Congress and Administration can provide good opportunities to modernize the DME benefit, including the 75/25 relief measures and improving rates in competitive bidding areas, as well as moving e-prescribing forward.” 

AAHomecare will also work to build relationships with new leadership at Health and Human Services and CMS. The association is also planning a “large-scale” in-person Legislative Conference in May. 

“Thanks to the hundreds of HME leaders who lent their energy and expertise to our efforts this year, both in pressing their legislators and in encouraging their peers to become more actively involved," the association stated. "Your advocacy is the prime factor behind our past successes and will be the foundation for securing relief and other opportunities in 2025 and beyond." 

MGA Homecare makes buy, looks to expand nationally 

DENVER – MGA Homecare, a provider of home and community-based physical and behavioral health services, has acquired Ward Road Pharmacy, a long-term care pharmacy and home medical supply company based in Arvada, Colo. 

The partnership strengthens MGA’s ability to meet the needs of medically complex patients by offering enhanced pharmacy services, medical supplies and coordinated care solutions.   

“This partnership was born by listening to our patients and families, who voiced frustration about inconsistent access to medications and supplies,” said Brad Bennett, CEO of MGA. “MGA and WRP are proud to answer that call, bringing health care home and improving the quality of life for those we serve.”  

Lance Barnard, CEO and owner of WRP, will remain in his leadership role while spearheading the national expansion of MGA’s Long-Term Care Pharmacy and Home Medical Supply division.  

WRP provides long-term pharmacy at home to medically complex physical and behavioral health patients, including individuals with developmental disabilities, and provides home medical supplies such as enteral formula and pumps, tracheostomy supplies, incontinence products and wound care supplies. It also specializes in compounding pharmacy and child health nutrition.  

MGA serves more than 5,500 patients daily across six states. 

Henry Schein brings ‘Holiday Cheer’ 

MELVILLE, N.Y. – Through its 26th annual “Holiday Cheer” program, Henry Schein team members at 15 company locations delivered joy to more than 1,150 individuals in the United States, United Kingdom and Ireland this season. Since 1999, this corporate flagship initiative has helped more than 20,000 underserved children, their families and senior citizens experience cheerful holidays, with members donating clothing, comfort items, toys, gift cards and more. “We are thrilled to once again spread holiday cheer to individuals all over the world,” said Stanley M. Bergman, chairman of the board and CEO of Henry Schein. “This program goes beyond being an annual tradition; it reflects Team Schein’s deep commitment to supporting our local communities. Thank you to all of Team Schein who make this program possible, bringing the spirit of giving throughout the years. We look forward to many more years of ‘Holiday Cheer.’” At Henry Schein’s corporate headquarters in Melville, N.Y., members hosted a “Holiday Cheer for Children” event where 100 children and their families opened presents while enjoying a fun-filled night with dinner, games and music. In addition, 300 children received gift cards purchased through support from the Henry Schein Cares Foundation to help alleviate some of the financial burdens many individuals face during the holidays.  

Medline inks new partnership agreement 

NORTHFIELD Ill. – Medline has signed a new prime vendor agreement with Louisiana-based Central Management Company, which oversees skilled nursing homes, home care agencies and rehabilitation services. Medline will serve as the primary supplier for Central Management Company’s 22 skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies across Louisiana. “This partnership between Medline and Central Management Company represents a shared vision to enhance care quality and operational efficiency in long-term and home care settings,” said Brad Richoux, corporate accounts director for Medline. “Together, we are committed to equipping facilities with the products and resources needed to deliver consistent, high-quality care to long-term and home care residents in the state of Louisiana.” Medline and Central Management Company will work together to provide caregivers with product insights and training aimed at reducing care variation and improving skin health outcomes. The approach involves discovery, planning, seamless implementation and ongoing product support to ensure consistent and effective care, the companies say. 

Independent Living Solutions expands offerings 

WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. — Independent Living Solutions, a provider of home accessibility equipment, is expanding its comprehensive range of accessibility products. The company offers both new and recycled options, including stairlifts, wheelchair lifts, home elevators, ramps, ceiling lifts, dumb waiters, automatic door openers and more, catering to individual needs for mobility and independence at home. "We believe that everyone deserves to live comfortably in their own home, regardless of mobility limitations," said a spokesperson for Independent Living Solutions. "Our expanded range of products ensures that we can provide tailored solutions that fit the unique needs and budgets of our clients." The company’s product line includes a variety of stairlifts, vertical and incline wheelchair lifts, in-home elevators and vertical platform lifts. Additionally, Independent Living Solutions offers solutions for easier bathroom accessibility, such as walk-in tubs, barrier-free showers and roll-in showers. The company’s offerings are complemented by lift chairs and automatic door openers, designed to foster an environment of self-sufficiency and comfort. Independent Living Solutions is partnered with multiple manufacturers, including EZ Access Ramps, Handicare, Harmar, Prairie View Industries, Pride Mobility, Open Sesame and Savaria. 

NCPA says PBM reform provisions included in pending CR 

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association says that a continuing resolution that Congress is considering includes provisions for two of its top priorities for reforming pharmacy benefit managers. The CR would require PBMs to reimburse pharmacies at national average drug acquisition cost plus the state’s fee-for-service dispensing fee for all Medicaid managed care programs in all 50 states; and it would require CMS to establish reasonable and relevant contract terms, including pharmacy reimbursements, in Medicare Part D and create a mechanism for pharmacies to dispute contract violations and penalize PBMs. “We’re very grateful that Congress has included NCPA’s top priorities in the continuing resolution, but now is not the time to celebrate, because the health insurance companies and their PBMs will try desperately to stop this measure from passing,” said NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey. “Independent pharmacists across the country have done the grassroots lobbying, the letter writing, the congressional visits, and all the news interviews. Their efforts and the NCPA team’s boots-on-the-ground lobbying have all put us in scoring position. Now we’re on the goal line, and we need to punch it into the end zone.” 

HME Home Health positions for expansion 

RICHMOND, B.C. – HME Home Health will open a new location in Kelowna in the spring, expanding the company’s operations for the Interior Region. “HME Kelowna is our central hub for servicing the interior region, including all surrounding towns and cities,” said Cameron Fleming, CIO & co-founder. “With the additional space, we have been able to expand our HME Kelowna team to 12 members and can further service the region from this new location.” Since opening in 2022, HME Kelowna has been one of the company’s fastest-growing locations, the company said. The additional space will allow HME Home Health to have a customized assessment room and training facility to support local clinicians. HME Home Health has expanded aggressively across the province in recent years and has nine locations and more than 85,000 square feet of office and warehouse space in Richmond, Victoria, Surrey, Nanaimo, North Vancouver, Kelowna, Sechelt and Abbotsford. Earlier this month, the company launched a commercial division to serve hospitals and long-term care facilities.