WASHINGTON, DC – The much anticipated Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals (OMHA) Appellant Forum takes place in Washington D.C. on Feb 12 (Wednesday). Providers can listen and watch by registering in advance of the event by clicking here. In the meantime, VGM wants to know about your audit miseries before the meeting.
“We have about 15 to 20 providers who are planning to attend with specific audit issues, and then we plan to take the Hill on Feb 13th as a follow up with key Congressional members,” says John Gallagher, VP of Government Relations, VGM & Associates. “Our Peggy Walker is working on key audit issues to hand to the Chief ALJ at the Forum. If you think there is a fit for your audit issues, please call Peggy Walker at (800) 401-3643.”
“I do not need a full report, just about five or so examples with dates of service/date of denial/ numbers (no patient protected information),” says Walker, “and a brief note of what happened and if it went to ALJ did it overturn.”
Discuss the OMHA Appellant Forum Live on Twitter – #VGMAuditMadness
WATERLOO, IOWA – Those who are unable to attend the Feb 12 (Wednesday) Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals (OMHA) Appellant Forum in Washington D.C. can join the discussion from a computer or phone by following VGM’s live-tweet coverage. Participants can post comments, questions and audit experiences using the hashtag #VGMAuditMadness. Event updates will be available at @VGMGroupInc, with commentary from John Gallagher (@JEGallagher), People for Quality Care (@QualityCare79) and participating providers.
Stand Up for Homecare at Medtrade Spring
LAS VEGAS – Register today and join AAHomecare on Tuesday, March 11, at 6:00 pm in the Mandalay Bay convention center in Las Vegas for an evening of networking with home care industry leaders. Stand Up for Homecare is a broad-based campaign to get positive, accurate news about home medical equipment into national and local media through direct outreach to media contacts. The campaign raises money to help home care providers, their patients, and other stakeholders build positive perceptions of the HME sector on Capitol Hill. Click Here to register for Medtrade Spring, scheduled for March 10-12 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
New Cosponsors for HR 1717
WASHINGTON, DC – The following three members of Congress joined the growing roster of H.R. 1717 supporters last week: Michele Bachmann (R-Minn) [pictured]; Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hi); and Bradley Schneider (D-Ill). “We worked with Rep Bachmann’s staff for years about problems with the bidding program, but weren’t able to get her support,” said Rose Schafhauser, executive director of the Midwest Association for Medical Equipment Services. “Then she brought in a health LA who had previous bidding experience in the government and completely understood the issues. Since then, although that health LA is gone, the Congresswoman continues to be very supportive.”
“It’s clear that we are making progress,” said Tom Ryan, president and CEO, AAHomecare. “With 169 cosponsors on H.R. 1717, including the three who have signed on in the past week, we are well on our way to better days.”
Interest Rate Increase for Medicare Overpayments and Underpayments
WASHINGTON, DC – On January 21, the new interest rate on Medicare overpayments and underpayments became 10.25 percent, a 0.125 percent increase. Interest on payments accrues from the date of the initial request for refund and is assessed for each 30-day period, or portion thereof, that payment is delayed after the initial refund request.