Tag: Payer Relations
Stakeholders discuss ‘moving the bar’ with payers
June 26, 2024Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WATERLOO, Iowa – In a health care market where payer networks are getting narrower and more complicated, it’s important for HME providers to equip themselves with strategies to be noticed and heard, a panel of stakeholders emphasized at VGM’s Heartland Conference on June 11.
“We’ve been pretty proactive about creating a story,” said James Russell, owner and vice president of URS Medical in Waco, Texas, which is part of Pediatric Home Service. “Some...
NCART announces Lee’s departure, seeks payer relations manager
December 18, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – NCART has announced that Mickae Lee, associate director, is leaving the organization on Jan. 1, 2024.
She will remain in the industry, working in a government relations role, according to NCART.
“It has been a privilege to be part of the NCART team and I am beyond grateful for the opportunities and experiences I’ve been afforded during my time here,” Lee said. “It is a true honor to be surrounded by such an incredible group of fellow advocates...
Alexis Ward on the power of ‘real wins’
June 21, 2023Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON – It’s easy to get frustrated with insufficient reimbursement and coverage, but Alexis Ward, who joined AAHomecare as a senior director of payer relations this week, always applies the “Golden Rule” – even to payers.
“Treat the payers as you would want to be treated,” she said. “If you met a new friend at work, you wouldn’t want them to just jump right into asking you to donate to the school fundraiser. You would want to spend...
ATF Medical adds payer specialist
May 22, 2023HME News Staff
NEWNAN, Ga. - Abbi Akstulewicz has joined ATF Medical in the newly created position of director of payer partnerships. Working closely with Brendan Swift, vice president of payer partnerships and marketing, Akstulewicz will develop partnership strategies and nurture relationships with payer partners throughout the U.S., with a focus on complex claims. “Abbi’s deep passion to serve injured workers combined with her desire for strong payer relationships make her a great fit for our culture...
AAH expands payer relations team
May 2, 2023HME News Staff
ARLINGTON, Va. – AAHomecare has added Alexis Ward as senior director of payer relations effective June 19 to bolster its advocacy capabilities in critical areas. Ward’s background in working with Medicaid authorities, managed care organizations (MCOs) and insurance companies will allow the association to broaden its work toward sustainable reimbursement and robust network access for HME providers among the increasingly important non-Medicare payers, the association says. “We’re...
AAHomecare gets to work on Medicaid reimbursement
January 12, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare’s Payer Relations Team has begun a nationwide campaign to work with state/regional association leaders to better align state Medicaid rates with higher costs.
The association says HME providers are experiencing increasing product prices and operational costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain issues, as well as ongoing inflation pressures.
“Our work will include requesting that rates reflect the 6.4%+ CPI-U increases granted by...
Medtrade West preview: Position yourself as a partner
April 1, 2022By Tracy Orzel
PHOENIX – When an HME provider approaches a managed care organization for the first time, 98% of the time they’re going to hear no, says Julie Rhodovi, senior vice president, payor and regulatory relations, RestorixHealth and AMT. Here’s what Rhodovi, who will be hosting a session at Medtrade West on managed care, has to say about winning insurers over and why it’s worth it.
HME News: What do providers need to keep in mind when it comes to managed care?
Julie...
AAHomecare grows payer relations team
March 2, 2022HME News Staff
ARLINGTON, Va. - AAHomecare seeks an experienced professional for its payer relations team. The new manager of payer relations will work closely with Laura Williard, vice president of payer relations, and David Chandler, senior director of payer relations, to support development of ongoing industry strategy regarding payer and state relations involving commercial managed care, Medicaid managed care organizations, Medicare Advantage and state Medicaid programs. This position will help to support all...
Session recap: Get payers on your side
October 19, 2021Tracy Orzel, Contributing Writer
ATLANTA - The best way for HME providers to turn payers into allies is by focusing on the patient, says Kris Srinivasan, director of payer relations at McKesson. Here’s what Srinivasan, who hosted a session on improving payer relations at Medtrade East, has to say about achieving optimal care at reasonable costs.
HME News: What’s a major do/don’t when talking to payers?
Kris Srinivasan: A major don’t is starting the conversation with how much you pay for a medical supply...
‘We want to make sure this is stopped’
June 30, 2021Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON – The payer relations team at AAHomecare is working with state and regional associations to pick off attempts by managed care organizations and other insurers to decrease reimbursement for HME.
Stakeholders have a number of bills working their way through state legislatures to protect reimbursement for DME at 100% of the state Medicaid fee schedules. One of those states: New York, where A.5368 is scheduled to go before the Rules Committee before heading to the floor for...