Stakeholders push closer to new legislation 

WASHINGTON – Fresh off its latest round of Hill visits, AAHomecare is confident it will have a bill in hand to address reimbursement in time for a legislative fly-in scheduled for May, says President and CEO Tom Ryan. 

The industry is again seeking to implement a 90/10 blended reimbursement rate in former competitive bidding areas and to make permanent a 75/25 blended reimbursement rate for non-bid/non-rural areas that was extended as part of a year-end spending package in December. 

“What we really want to do is keep this message out in front and reprioritize our meetings with the committees of jurisdiction, both Energy & Commerce and Ways & Means,” said Ryan. “We did see members of the Senate Finance Committee, as well. That’s important – it’s really going to take every member of Senate Finance to weigh in on this to make sure we have a balanced bipartisan, bicameral effort. That’s our goal with the fly-in.” 

The fly-in, which takes place May 9-10, the first in-person since the COVID-19 pandemic started, is expected to draw about 50 members, primarily from AAHomecare’s board and roster of councils, says Ryan. It will include fundraisers, as well. 

Competitive bidding will likely come up in meetings, but there’s still no indication that it’s a priority for CMS, says Ryan, who met recently with Jason Bennett, director of technology, coding and pricing group for the Center for Medicare at CMS. 

“My gut says we’re not going to see a rule on CB this year,” he said. “They are more likely to be focused on lymphedema garments.” 

The Lymphedema Treatment Act, which was also included in the year-end spending package in December, will require Medicare to pay for compression garments, bandages and supplies to reduce lymphedema-related swelling and prevent recurrence starting Jan. 1, 2024.  

While AAHomecare’s fly-in is focused on the Hill, there’s also a lot of activity going on at the state level, too, says VGM’s John Gallaher, including a push for a tax exemption for complex rehab technology in Washington state.  

“The first three months (of the year) are what they call the funnel, with everyone trying to get legislation through,” says Gallagher, vice president of government relations. “It behooves folks to get engaged, and it doesn’t take much.”