Tag: Alex Azar
Busy week for HOMES
February 13, 2019HME News Staff
BOSTON - Competitive bidding, reimbursement and audits were among the topics discussed at a Feb. 12 meeting between HOMES and HHS and CMS officials.The 90-minute meeting was the result of an invitation of HHS Secretary Alex Azar."We covered a wide array of issues and will be following up with additional information,” said Karyn Estrella, HOMES executive director, in a bulletin.Also in attendance was David Reilly, clinical coordinator at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, Mass., who discussed...
Stakeholders seek ally in Azar
January 26, 2018Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON - The ink is barely dry on his confirmation papers, but industry stakeholders are ready to work with new Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar.
“We look forward to working with Secretary Azar to produce a sustainable reimbursement environment for HME,” said Tom Ryan, president and CEO of AAHomecare. “We're hopeful that he will work with the Office of Management and Budget to get the interim final rule, rolling back some of the cuts for rural providers,...
It's official: Azar is in at HHS
January 25, 2018HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - Alex Azar has been confirmed by the Senate as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services by a 55-43 vote. At his Jan. 9 confirmation hearing, Azar told Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., he would work with congressional leaders to address issues negatively impacting the HME industry, including working with the Office of Management and Budget to approve an interim final rule that would provide relief from Medicare's competitive bidding program in non-bid areas. Industry...
In brief: Senate Finance Committee approves Azar, AASM recruits providers and patients
January 19, 2018HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - The Senate Finance Committee has approved the nomination of Alex Azar as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services by a 15-12 margin. The vote was split along party lines, with Democratic Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., joining Republicans. At his Jan. 9 confirmation hearing, Azar told Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., he would work with congressional leaders to address issues negatively impacting the HME industry, including working with the Office of Management and Budget to approve...
Senate Finance Committee approves Azar
January 18, 2018HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - The Senate Finance Committee approved the nomination of Alex Azar as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services by a 15-12 margin. The vote was split along party lines, with Democratic Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., joining Republicans. At his Jan. 9 confirmation hearing, Azar told Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., he would work with congressional leaders to address issues negatively impacting the HME industry, including working with the Office of Management and Budget to approve an...
In brief: Azar willing to work on HME, Permobil buys part of Ottobock
January 12, 2018HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - Alex Azar, the nominee for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, has verbally agreed to work with congressional leaders to address issues that are negatively impacting the HME industry.During a Senate confirmation hearing on Jan. 9, Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., asked Azar if he would work with the Office of Management and Budget to “quickly approve” an interim final rule that would provide relief from Medicare's competitive bidding program in non-bid areas....
Azar willing to work on HME issues
January 10, 2018HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - Alex Azar, the nominee for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Serviecs, has verbally agreed to work with congressional leaders to address issues that are negatively impacting the HME industry.During a Senate confirmation hearing on Jan. 9, Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., asked Azar if he would work with the Office of Management and Budget to “quickly approve” an interim final rule that would provide relief from Medicare's competitive bidding program in non-bid...
Azar hearing set for Tuesday
January 4, 2018HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - The confirmation hearing for Health and Human Services Secretary nominee Alex Azar will be held before the Senate Finance Committee Jan. 9.
President Trump nominated Azar, a former pharma exec and chairman and founder of Seraphim Strategies, which provides strategic consulting and counsel on biopharmaceutical and health insurance industries, in November.
In addition to the hearing, Azar has been meeting with committee members in their offices this week, according to The VGM Group,...
In brief: Inconsistencies in bid program, Trump's new HHS nominee
November 16, 2017Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
BALTIMORE - CMS did not always follow its own procedures and federal requirements for awarding competitive bidding contracts consistently, according to a new report from the Office of Inspector General.CMS did not follow the bid process consistently for 23 of 215 winning suppliers, the OIG found.Breaking it down, the agency awarded contracts to 10 suppliers that did not meet financial statement requirements and 13 suppliers that did not have the required license in at least one competition, according...