Uncertainty surrounds reimbursement relief
By HME News Staff
Updated 10:24 AM CDT, Tue March 19, 2024
WASHINGTON – Industry stakeholders are on the hunt for another vehicle for their legislation to extend the 75/25 blended Medicare reimbursement rate in non-rural areas through 2024.
AAHomecare reports that its lobbyists and HME advocates on the Hill have indicated that reimbursement relief will not be included in a second segment of appropriations language that must pass Congress by March 22 to prevent another government shutdown.
“We will continue to look for other legislative opportunities to move the 75/25 measures forward in the near term,” the association stated. “We encourage advocates to continue to reach out to healthcare staffers for your Senators and Representative to let them know this is still an important priority and ask for their support in making sure Congressional leaders understand this.”
The 75/25 blended rates expired on Dec. 31, 2023.
AAHomecare encourages stakeholders to mention, when reaching out to lawmakers, that the current lowered rates have made it even harder to withstand major incidents like the recent cyberattack at Change Healthcare, which has impacted their ability to process claims and reduced their cash flow.
The majority of the respondents to a recent HME Newspoll reported that their cash flow has been reduced by more than 75% in the aftermath of the attack.
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Read about how the lack of reimbursement relief is starting to set in.
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