Members of the American Association for Homecare’s HME/RT Council and two America Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) executives recently met to begin developing new respiratory care models that could possibly drive new business models, as well.
The meeting was the most recent stage in a process that began several months ago. In spring AAHomecare distributed a survey to respiratory businesses to explore the possibility of restructuring the structure respiratory reimbursement using a new payment approach that focuses on chronic respiratory management. The results showed that respiratory providers of all sizes were interested in achieving expanded clinical care while meeting the cardiopulmonary equipment needs.
The survey was followed by preliminary meetings that included stakeholders from the National Association for Medical Direction of Respiratory Care (NAMDRC) and AARC. Those meetings set a goal of developing two or three draft care and business models, and then seek larger industry input to expand on those models.
The most recent meeting between AAHomecare’s HME/RT Council members and the two AARC executives sought to further develop the basic precepts for the respiratory care models. Those models would be patient-focused; built on clinically validated standardized tools such as the GOLD Initiative; and prioritize improved outcomes, according to AAHomecare.
“A significant amount of progress was made developing the model framework, and I’m excited to broaden the input circle,” said Nick Macmillan, chair of the Chronic Respiratory Home Care Models Subcommittee. “With additional universal support, which I believe is strong in principal, I look forward to moving down a path of promoting the HME provider’s ability to provide these service elements that foster favorable patient outcomes and higher patient satisfaction and experience.”
The Chronic Respiratory Home Care Models Subcommittee has scheduled additional meetings to add further details to its care/business model before soliciting larger industry input.
Front Row: Ann Marie Hummel (AARC), Cara Bachenheimer (Invacare), Ashley Plauché (AAHomecare), Diana Guth (Home Respiratory Care), April Humphreys (Fisher & Paykel), Elaine Lesnak (Philips) Back Row: Bob Messenger (Invacare), George Kucka (Fairmeadows Home Health Center), Chris Salmen (ResMed), Bob Hoffman (VGM), Nick Macmillan (The MED Group), Tom Ryan (AAHomecare), Tom Kallstrom (AARC), Sandra Moreau (Lincare), Joel Mills (Advanced Home Care) Not Pictured: Kelly Garber (Apria), John Gallagher (VGM), Joe Lewarski (Drive DeVilbiss) and Laura Williard (AAHomecare)