Representatives of member service company VGM Group, which is highly involved in industry government relations, met with the American Association for Homecare, the industry’s national association.
The VGM delegation included Michael Kloos, Tom Powers, John Gallagher, and Mark Higley, who visited AAHomecare to discuss alignment of strategy and resources for legislative and regulatory initiatives in 2015. Topics of discussion included congressional champions and committees of jurisdiction to grassroots and public relations.
The teams worked collaboratively with a focus on moving the industry forward, according to a statement from AAHomecare.
Provider Meeting
AAHomecare also met with a Washington, D.C.-area provider, which the association helped give it additional perspective on the wide range of services that providers give patients.
AAHomecare’s Ashley Jackson, government affairs associate, Beth Ludwick, senior director of communications, Peter Rankin, assistant director of government affairs, and Mina Uehara, regulatory affairs associate, visited Spectrum Medical (Silver Spring, Md.; www.spectrummedical.net) for a facility tour of the business.
Spectrum CEO Steve Ackerman and staff explained the general workflow of the business and shared how regulatory issues have affected the provider’s daily operations. Spectrum Medical staff also reviewed how they provide services to their patients and demonstrated set-ups for concentrators, hospitals beds, wheelchairs, and walkers.
“Visiting Spectrum Medical reminded me that DME suppliers are not just product sellers, but healthcare service providers,” Uehara said. “It was clear in speaking with Steve and his employees that they care about their patients and they take personal responsibility in providing a comprehensive quality service.
“This experience made me reflect on how the current regulations in place discount all the services DME suppliers’ provide after the initial equipment delivery,” Uehara continued. “I feel more motivated to work with CMS to fix this system.”