To assist the industry’s August advocacy push with some useful data, VGM Government Relations has released the results of its survey of the delivery costs incurred by HME providers.
Announced in June at Heartland, the Delivery Cost Survey has yielded data on providers’ cost burdens that they can use when speaking with lawmakers about HME-related policy during the August congressional recess.
Approximately 200 providers submitted responses about the real costs incurred when delivering equipment to patients. The data includes wages, travel distances, setup time, and the total cost for each visit.
VGM broke the data down into several regional infographics to help convey the data:
“These infographics put into perspective how costly an average delivery is for DME suppliers to provide patients with the necessary equipment,” a statement from VGM read. “… With the DME industry being a high-touch healthcare service, understanding the costs involved in caring for beneficiaries must be taken into account when determining reimbursement rates.”