Tag: NAIMES
Write the check and make the call
April 24, 2015Guest Commentary
Well, I am a few months past a year since I officially retired from AAHomecare and the national spotlight as a spokesman and advocate for the independent HME provider community. A lot has transpired over the past year and much of it has not been good for the average HME owner. I've seen many friends lose their businesses, go bankrupt, or give up any chance of financial success just to keep the doors open.My friend and a former member of AAHomecare's board of directors, H. Wayne Sale, was forced to...
Q&A: Wayne Stanfield
November 8, 2013Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON - It's ironic that Wayne Stanfield feels comfortable retiring now that NAIMES is part of AAHomecare.After all, NAIMES was created in 2007 to meet the needs of the smaller and independent providers that felt neglected by the industry's largest association.But the AAHomecare of today isn't the AAHomecare of six years ago—and that's a good thing, says Stanfield, who was on staff there from April, when NAIMES merged with the association, until Nov. 15, when he retires.“With Tom...
Will merger renew interest in membership?
May 24, 2013Letter to the Editor
The announcement of the merger between AAHomecare and NAIMES was something I have been waiting to see. Everyone I have spoken to feels as I do, that the new association will be able to become the effective voice we need in Washington, D.C.This is the first step forward required to get the bill for the market-pricing program (MPP) through to Congress and then passed. But there is a great deal more that must be accomplished STAT.There are about 15,000 DME/HME providers in the United States. I have...
Will 'pay for' pass muster with CBO?
May 3, 2013Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON - HME industry stakeholders expect to find out soon if the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) agrees that their bill to replace competitive bidding with a market-pricing program (MPP) is budget neutral.“Now that the bill has dropped and now that the CBO has dealt with some of the other issues they've had to deal with, we expect a score to be coming,” said Cara Bachenheimer, senior vice president of government relations for Invacare.Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., introduced H.R. 1717...
Leading industry associations join forces
April 26, 2013Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - In the biggest sign of industry unity yet, AAHomecare and NAIMES announced April 26 that they will merge into one organization.
“This is a time when we most need to have the industry all on one page,” said Wayne Stanfield, NAIMES president and CEO. “This will create a better, more focused and reenergized trade association.”
The merger, effective May 22, will bring about 140 new members under the AAHomecare umbrella, increasing its membership to about...
New focus on market-pricing program
April 19, 2013Leif Kothe
WASHINGTON - When the bill to replace competitive bidding with a market-pricing program (MPP) is introduced, it will have lead sponsors on both sides of the aisle, industry stakeholders say.When a similar bill was introduced in September of 2012 during the previous session of Congress, its lone lead sponsor was Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga. The new bill, now being finalized, will be spearheaded by Price and a Democratic lawmaker, stakeholders say.“The good news from the industry's perspective...
Industry gathers 'ammunition'
April 12, 2013Liz Beaulieu, Editor
BALTIMORE - Industry stakeholders believe CMS may have shot itself in the other foot when it released the names of the 799 suppliers who won 13,126 contracts as part of Round 2 of competitive bidding.
“There are glaring problems with this list,” said Wayne Stanfield, president and CEO of NAIMES. “CMS has failed on every level: They have selected unqualified companies; they have given hundreds of contracts to suppliers that have no ability to fulfill them. It goes on and...
Industry opens up multiple fronts against bid program
March 22, 2013Leif Kothe
WASHINGTON - With a new bill for the market-pricing program (MPP) expected to drop soon, industry stakeholders are mulling another legislative tactic in the fight against competitive bidding: a delay in the implementation of Round 2.
Congress has mandated CMS to implement Round 2 in 2013—but not necessarily on July 1. Stakeholders are working with members of Congress to create legislation that would delay the program's start date until the end of the year.
“We're using this...
Stakeholders beat the bushes on bidding
March 1, 2013Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON - With Round 2 inching closer, HME industry stakeholders last week trekked to Washington, D.C., to talk up competitive bidding's flaws and the market-pricing program (MPP).
“It's an uphill fight, but the response we got from every meeting was very positive,” said Wayne Stanfield, president and CEO of NAIMES, which spearheaded the event. “Many of the people I spoke with are not happy with what CMS is doing and how it's doing it.”
Industry stakeholders...
Industry talks tough
February 22, 2013Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON - The HME industry's efforts to fight competitive bidding have taken on a new tone.With about four months before Round 2 goes into effect, stakeholders are no longer mincing words with lawmakers, telling them that if the program moves forward as planned, the blood will be on their hands.“We're telling them, 'Don't call us in July about all the Medicare beneficiaries who are no longer able to get equipment and services,'” said Wayne Stanfield, president and CEO of NAIMES....