WASHINGTON, DC – Reps Glenn Thompson (R-Pa) [pictured] and Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) have drafted a strongly worded letter to CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner citing problems with Medicare’s bidding program for HME. The letter asks CMS to refrain from further action until the OIG investigation is complete, the results have been presented to Congress, and elected officials have had time to review the OIG’s conclusions.
 
Thompson and Braley are now collecting co-signers to the letter. They plan to finalize it on March 27, and submit it to the Federal Register as official comments to the recently published proposed rule. Use the AAHomecare Take Action Center to contact your Representative and urge them to sign the letter and add their voice to the debate. The deadline for signing on is March 27. If you have time, follow up the emails with phone calls; look up their office phone numbers using our convenient online Congressional Directory.


AAHomecare Launches Digital Campaign to Drive Consumer Awareness
WASHINGTON, DC – AAHomecare has created a new digital communications campaign aimed at driving consumer awareness about the painful and disheartening problems associated with Medicare reform. “This campaign will help consumers better understand why flawed policies affect their health and how they can make their voices heard, said Tom Ryan, president and CEO of AAHomecare. “Consumers will be able to stand up and defend their access to the equipment, services and supplies they need to receive healthcare at home.”

The campaign will kick-off in early April and will be managed by AAHomecare with Lisa Wells, president, Get Social Consulting Inc and supported by Anna McDevitt, president of Laboratory Marketing.

Campaign resources and specifics will be shared with providers as the kick-off date approaches. Industry supporters and HME businesses should contact Beth Ludwick at AAHomecare bethl@aahomecare.org for more information and to learn how they can get involved.

Congressional Meetings in Four States Yield Productive Conversations
WATERLOO, IOWA – HME providers, state association leaders and VGM Government Relations teamed together to address congressional members about competitive bidding fixes and audit reform last week. VGM and MAMES state association members gathered from around the state for separate meetings. “Really, employees here at Great Plains are optimistic, because we know we have support from those representing North Dakota,” said Laura Henkelman of Great Plains.

Providers met with Sen. Crapo’s (R-Idaho) Director of Business, Trade and Rural Development, Bob Ford. Fourteen VGM and Big Sky AMES state association members partnered to discuss competitive bidding and the backlog of audits. “We’re grateful to Norco and Big Sky for organizing the meetings in their states. It’s this kind of grassroots activism that will tell our story and make a difference,” commented John Gallagher, VGM vice president-government relations.

Upcoming AAHomecare Webinar – Preparing for HIPAA Changes
WASHINGTON, DC – Last year, the 2013 Omnibus legislation made sweeping changes to the HIPAA Compliance regulations. The new guidelines have changed the basic definitions of the HIPAA statute, which will require all health care providers to change their HIPAA Compliance Policy and Procedure Manual and issue new Business Associate Agreements and a new Notice of Privacy Practice. There are three main deadlines for all health care providers to meet. Unfortunately each deadline comes with increased enforcement from the Office of Civil Rights.
Register today for this seminar by R. Jeffrey Hedges, CDME, president & CEO of R. J. Hedges & Associates
• Free for AAHomecare members
• Non-Member: $49.00
• Tuesday, March 25
• 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time