The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) is reporting growing support for a sign-on letter asking the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to reestablish the 75/25 blended Medicare rate in non-competitive bidding/non-rural areas.
In a late October report, AAHomecare said industry outreach has resulted in more than 20 members of the U.S. House of Representatives signing onto the letter addressed to Department of Health & Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure.
The letter says that the reduction in DMEPOS funding is reducing beneficiary access to medically necessary equipment.
“We are writing today to urge you to address an urgent issue regarding reimbursement of Durable
Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS),” the letter said. “There is a pressing need for relief related to the Medicare ‘75/25’ blended rate for durable medical equipment (DME) in
non-rural and non-competitive bidding areas. We request that you act to provide continuity in
access to DME for beneficiaries, which has been threatened following the December 2023
expiration of the 75/25 blended rate.
“Specifically, we request that you consider including the 75/25 blended rate for non-competitive bidding, non-rural areas in the calendar year 2025 proposed rule, as well as consideration of temporary 75/25 blended rate relief since the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has not yet moved to initiate rulemaking to proceed with DMEPOS competitive bidding.”
The letter also said that because the Medicare competitive bidding program has been put on hold, CMS “has not updated payment rates and is still using 2016 pricing methodologies that do not account for today’s increased costs,” including higher delivery and labor costs.
Inadequate reimbursement has forced providers to lay off employees and close offices, “leaving patients with reduced access and longer wait times for vital care, which is often delivered in the home.”
AAHomecare said Republican members of Congress should contact the office of Rep. Marianette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) to sign on. Democratic offices should contact Rep. Paul Tonko’s (D-N.Y.) office to sign onto the letter.
Miller-Meeks, Tonko, and Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) released the letter on Oct. 16.
