Tag: AAHomecare
AAHomecare state roundup: Ark., S.C., Fla.
April 17, 2025HME News Staff
Arkansas has enacted legislation to limit the application of step therapy or “fail first” protocols by insurance companies for patients who have been prescribed non-invasive ventilators (NIV). HB 1321 was passed by both chambers of the Arkansas legislature and enacted by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Apr. 10 … On Apr. 9, legislation to broaden the sales tax exemption for HME in South Carolina was reported out of the House Ways & Means Committee in the state legislature. H...
Upcoming Legislative Conference: Office visits, watercooler chats boost support
April 11, 2025Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare’s first in-person Washington Legislative Conference in several years will allow attendees to not only line up support for industry causes but also set the stage for years to come with new members on committees of jurisdiction.
“We have a number of freshman lawmakers that have been appointed to these committees,” said Jay Witter, senior vice president of government relations. “This is a great opportunity for our folks to establish these...
In brief: Stakeholders push back, Owens & Minor upsizes offering, Merits expands
April 4, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare, the Council for Quality Respiratory Care and VGM are raising concerns with CMS and lawmakers about the access issues and the negative health outcomes that could result from a recent draft proposal for noninvasive positive pressure ventilation.
CMS on March 11 released a proposed decision in response to the request to reconsider NCD 280.1 to establish coverage policies for the use of noninvasive home mechanical ventilators and respiratory assist devices for...
Tariffs: AAH joins letter, F&P expects impact
April 3, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare is among 10 health care groups asking the administration to exempt medical and dental supplies, equipment and devices from tariffs in a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
The letter was sent April 1, one day before President Donald Trump imposed numerous new tariffs, including a 10% base tariff on imports from all countries.
The letter emphasizes the potential for tariffs to raise costs and impact supply chains – ultimately...
NIV NCD: Stakeholders share concerns, push for comments
April 3, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare, the Council for Quality Respiratory Care and VGM are raising concerns with CMS and lawmakers about the access issues and the negative health outcomes that could result from a recent draft proposal for noninvasive positive pressure ventilation.
CMS on March 11 released a proposed decision in response to the request to reconsider NCD 280.1 to establish coverage policies for the use of noninvasive home mechanical ventilators and respiratory assist devices for...
In brief: HHS workforce reduction, AAH video campaign, free sleep screenings
April 2, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced a restructuring that it says will save taxpayers $1.8 billion per year through a reduction in workforce of about 10,000 full-time employees, including 300 at CMS.
When combined with the agency’s other efforts, including early retirement, the restructuring results in a total downsizing from 82,000 to 62,000 full-time employees.
“We aren't just reducing bureaucratic sprawl,” said...
AAH launches advocacy videos, toolkit
March 31, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare has launched a new video campaign highlighting the impact of HME through the story of Brandon, a young professional and quadriplegic whose journey, the association says, is a testament to the freedom, independence and purpose that HME makes possible.
AAHomecare created two targeted video resources to help HME stakeholders showcase the industry’s value: a 4.5-minute mini documentary for consumers and the public; and a short advocacy video for payers and...
Stakeholders see hurdles, burdens in proposed decision on vents
March 28, 2025Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON – Industry stakeholders are carefully weighing their response to CMS’s proposed decision on coverage for noninvasive home mechanical ventilators and respiratory assist devices, including asking the agency to pause implementation of the policy.
CMS on March 11 released a proposed decision in response to the request to reconsider NCD 280.1 to establish coverage policies for the use of noninvasive HMV and RAD for Medicare beneficiaries with COPD.
AAHomecare,...
In brief: Aetna pauses CPAP change, FDA warns Dexcom, Owens & Minor launches offering
March 28, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Aetna has put a proposed change on hold for review after AAHomecare asked the insurer to reconsider using certain adherence codes that can only be billed by clinicians not DME providers.
The proposed change, announced in January, stated: “Beginning April 1, 2025, we’ll no longer reimburse the CPAP device or the supplies unless adherence to positive airway pressure therapy is documented using adherence codes G8851, G8854 and G8855 on the claim.”
“On...
Aetna pauses CPAP change
March 27, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Aetna has put a proposed change on hold for review after AAHomecare asked the insurer to reconsider using certain adherence codes that can only be billed by clinicians not DME providers.
The proposed change, announced in January, stated: “Beginning April 1, 2025, we’ll no longer reimburse the CPAP device or the supplies unless adherence to positive airway pressure therapy is documented using adherence codes G8851, G8854 and G8855 on the claim.”
“On...