Tag: Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC)
Bill introduced to ‘maintain and stabilize’ oxygen reimbursement
April 11, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform Act, which would remove supplemental oxygen from Medicare’s competitive bidding program, has been reintroduced in the Senate and House of Representatives, the Council for Quality Respiratory Care has announced.
The bill would remove supplemental oxygen from the bid program to establish separate payment rates for non-liquid and liquid oxygen, reflecting the diverse patient needs and oxygen therapy modalities, the organization...
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...
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...
Respiratory organizations reiterate call for support of SOAR Act
October 2, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – In honor of World Oxygen Day today, 30 leading patient, provider and professional organizations have united to call on Congress to pass the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform or SOAR Act (S. 3821/H.R. 7829). This legislation seeks to ensure that individuals enrolled in Medicare who rely on supplemental oxygen can access the proper type and level of oxygen they need to live full, healthy lives. Among the organizations endorsing this reform are the American Association for Respiratory...
CQRC: ‘We are optimistic’
September 10, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – With limited time remaining in the 118th Congress, the Council of Quality Respiratory Care is thanking new supporters of the SOAR Act and calling on the rest of legislators to join them in restoring patient access to all supplemental oxygen modalities.
The new co-sponsors of S. 3821 and H.R. 7829 are:
Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Gary Peters, D-Mich.
Reps. Julia Brownley, D-Calif., Donald G. Davis, D-N.C., Cliff Bentz, R-Oregon, Darren...
Jeff Barnhard commits to aligning industry’s message
June 28, 2024Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON – Jeff Barnhard says he will bring a broad perspective to his new role as chairman of the Council for Quality Respiratory Care, thanks to a resume that includes roles at providers big and small.
“What I’ve seen that’s been common throughout all those different roles is there’s always a drive for patient care and patient excellence in care,” said Barnhard, who was named CEO of Lincare in 2023 and who previously worked at Praxair. “We continue...
In brief: CMS to end CHOPD, Lincare CEO to lead CQRC
June 19, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – CMS has announced that payments under the Accelerated and Advance Payment (AAP) Program for the Change Healthcare/Optum Payment Disruption (CHOPD) will conclude on July 12, 2024.
Launched in early March, the CHOPD payments were designed to ease cash flow disruptions experienced by some Medicare providers and suppliers, such as hospitals, physicians and pharmacists, due to the unprecedented cyberattack that took health care electronic data interchange Change Healthcare...
CQRC names Lincare CEO as new chairman
June 17, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The Council for Quality Respiratory Care recently named Jeff Barnhard, CEO of Lincare, as chairman of the board. “It is an honor to serve as the next chairman of CQRC,” said Barnhard. “In this role, I look forward to advocating for reforms to protect the delivery of care to home respiratory patients and the stability of our profession. I am excited to engage with stakeholders across our diverse community to promote a greater understanding of our patient population...
Health care groups push for oxygen reform in new letter
June 5, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – A coalition of patient, provider and professional organizations called on Congress to support and cosponsor the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act, legislation that seeks to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries have access to the correct type and levels of oxygen, in a new letter.
The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), American Lung Association, American Thoracic Society, COPD Foundation, Council...
In brief: Walgreens creates new pharmacy biz, CQRC contributes to hearing, OIG contacts CGM providers
May 1, 2024HME News Staff
DEERFIELD, Ill. – AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy will become Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy effective Aug.1, 2024, in a move that Walgreens says will expand care for patients with complex, chronic conditions.
Walgreens will now have nearly 300 community-based specialty pharmacies nationwide, with more than 1,500 specialty-trained pharmacists, 5,000 patient advocacy support team members and dedicated Specialty360 teams that support all specialty conditions and therapies.
“With...