Tag: Public Health Emergency
NY Comptroller: DME left unused, unserviced
April 14, 2025HME News Staff
NEW YORK – Only 324 of 247,394 DME items that were procured during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, including ventilators, were distributed during the public health emergency, according to an audit by the New York state comptroller. This DME sits unused in storage facilities across the state, missing recommended maintenance and costing taxpayers storage expenses, the audit says. “During the pandemic, New York state quickly purchased medical equipment to address the public health crisis,”...
In brief: Oz’s vision, sleep’s slowdown, NY’s unused DME
April 14, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Dr. Mehmet Oz, who now leads CMS, shared his initial vision for the agency, including identifying and eliminating fraud, waste and abuse.
Oz was confirmed by the Senate as CMS administrator on April 3.
“I want to thank President Trump and HHS Sec. Kennedy for their confidence in my ability to lead CMS in achieving their vision to Make America Healthy Again,” he said. “Great societies protect their most vulnerable. As stewards of the health of...
HHS declares PHE in California
January 13, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has declared a public health emergency for California to address the health impacts of the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles County. The declaration, which follows President Joe Biden’s major disaster declaration, authorizes flexibilities for CMS providers, suppliers and beneficiaries retroactive to Jan. 7 to meet the emergency health needs of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. “We will do all we can to assist California...
Post-PHE: Brush up on rules to guard against audits
May 26, 2023Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WATERLOO, Iowa – With the public health emergency officially over, HME providers need to prepare for a return to “normal” – including a return to audits, say industry stakeholders.
On April 28, ahead of the PHE ending on May 11, CMS published directions for claims impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the agency’s guidance: Continue to use the CR modifier for rentals and supplies, and return to proof of delivery with a patient’s signature.
“During...
In brief: AAH survey, CR modifier, Option Care network
May 3, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare’s strategic priorities survey is live.
The brief survey seeks input from all areas of the home medical equipment sector, including suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, service providers and association executives. It will remain open through May 12.
“Just as our health care system is changing, AAHomecare must evolve to support its wide range of stakeholders,” said Josh Marx, CEO of Medical Service Company and chairman...
CMS OKs continued use of CR modifier
May 2, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The DME MACs have published new directions that state for claims impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, HME providers can continue to use the CR modifier and COVID-19 narrative for ongoing rental and supplies/accessories after the public health emergency ends on May 11, AAHomecare reports.
The instructions rescind the announcement in an MLN Connects in March that directed providers to stop using the CR modifier after the end of the PHE.
“To address concerns...
In brief: PHE protection, Best Buy partnership, AAH support
March 10, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Industry stakeholders have joined major respiratory associations in asking the Department of Health and Human Services to protect access to respiratory products for patients who qualified for care under relaxed guidelines during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
In a letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, the group, which includes AAHomecare, VGM, the American Association for Respiratory Care, the American Lung Association, the American Thoracic Society, the Council...
Ready and waiting for change
March 6, 2023Liz Beaulieu, Editor
2023 has a different feel to it already.
A big change that’s immediately staring us in the face: Medtrade. That’s the Medtrade, as in the only Medtrade and newly in Dallas, not Atlanta or Las Vegas or more recently Phoenix, Medtrade.
Per usual, we have special coverage on the show starting on page 21, including a story on the excitement exhibitors have and a Q&A with speakers Ronda Buhrmester and Collin Donaghue on one of the hottest markets in HME right now (CGMs, silly). Oh, and...
CMS to provide guidance on sunsetting of PHE
February 23, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – COVID-19 remains a significant priority for the Biden-Harris Administration and over the next several months, CMS will work to ensure a smooth transition. The Department of Health and Human Services announced Feb. 9 that the public health emergency will end May 11, 2023. During the PHE, CMS has used a combination of emergency authority waivers, regulations, enforcement discretion, and sub-regulatory guidance to ensure easier access to care during the PHE for health care providers...
In brief: PHE ends, CMS audits Medicare Advantage, CQRC calls for safeguards
February 3, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden has announced that the public health emergency will end on May 11, 2023.
Under the last declaration in January, the PHE was set to end on April 11.
“The advance notice goes beyond HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra’s previous guidance to health care stakeholders that the agency would provide at least 60 days advance notice before ending the PHE,” AAHomecare noted in a bulletin.
Knowing when the PHE will end gives industry...