WASHINGTON, DC – With CMS’ plans to apply competitive-bidding derived pricing cuts to complex rehab accessories set to go into effect on Jan 1, raising awareness is crucial.
In addition to contacting your Congressional representatives to ask that they co-sponsor H.R. 3229, sign and share a petition to the White House asking that CMS rescind this policy. The petition is off to a good start, with 7,000+ signatures in just a week’s time, but needs broader support if it is to reach the 100,000 signature threshold needed to reach the President’s desk.
The petition will also help advocacy efforts on H.R. 3229. The initiators of the petition plan to use the city, state and zip code info for all the individuals that sign on to tally supporters by Congressional district, and use that data to let Congressional offices know about interest in reining in CMS’ proposal among their own constituents as part of lobbying outreach to gain more co-sponsors for H.R. 3229.
Please sign on to this petition at ProtectMyIndependence.com, and share it with your friends and peers, and on social media (tools to easily share on Facebook & Twitter are also available at that link).
AAHomecare’s issue brief is available to share with anyone who would like additional background on this policy change that will have serious impacts in individuals with serious disabilities, as well as the providers who serve this community.
RACs Doing Post-Pay Audits on Parenteral Nutrition and Ventilators in Select States
WASHINGTON, DC – Jurisdiction A’s RAC, Performance Recovery, is currently auditing post-pay claims on parenteral nutrition and ventilators. States that are affected by this review includes: Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
The review for both items will be complex, which means the RAC will be asking for medical records on randomly selected claims. Any claims that have a “claim paid date” over 3 years prior to the ADR date are not subject to this review. The RAC website described the issue for ventilators as, “[p]otential incorrect billing occurred when claims for ventilators were billed without an indication supporting the coverage and/or medical necessity guidelines outlined in the Medicare National Coverage Determinations Manual (NCD), §280.1, and the “Correct Coding and Coverage of Ventilators” Joint DME MAC Publication, including when ventilator codes are incorrectly billed for CPAP- or bi-level PAP-only use.”
Get more involved at Medtrade…Stand Up for Homecare While You’re There
ATLANTA – Whether you’re a first time attendee at Medtrade, or a seasoned pro, if you haven’t attended Stand Up for Homecare, you are missing out on one of the best networking events at the show.
Taking place Tuesday, Oct 27 at 5:30 pm, Stand Up for Homecare is a special event because the proceeds support the advocacy groups that work directly with patients and consumers. The funds go to groups like the:
• American Association of People with Disabilities;
• the United Spinal Association;
• Paralyzed Veterans of America;
• the National Council on Independent Living; and
• direct to consumer outreach like the Save My Medical Supplies program.
Come mingle with the industry leaders at the number one networking reception for HME. To become a corporate sponsor or attend as an individual, please click here.