The results of a funding survey from the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) clearly demonstrate the terrible impact of Medicare reimbursement cuts on home medical equipment (HME) suppliers— and can be a powerful message to legislators.
That was the message of an Aug. 7 bulletin from AAHomecare to the industry. The survey asked HME suppliers about the impact on their businesses after the 75/25 blended relief rate expired in January, leading to a 20% funding cut for the 25 most commonly used HCPCS codes.
“The survey results make it clear that just six months of lower reimbursements in a rising-cost environment are leading many suppliers to limit their offerings, reduce service areas, lay off staff, close locations, or even consider going out of business altogether,” the bulletin said. “If left unchecked, the potential damage to the HME infrastructure and implications for patient access to HME going forward are staggering.”
AAHomecare urged stakeholders to use the new information — and comments from providers about curtailing products and services they offer to patients — to tell legislators that current reimbursement rates are hurting access to medically necessary equipment.
“The survey findings reinforce the urgent need to make sure that Congress hears directly from every corner of the HME community – passionately and repeatedly – on what these cuts are doing to suppliers and the downstream impacts on patients and caregivers, and the urgent need to move legislation restoring the rates forward,” AAHomecare said.
“Use the survey findings as a framework for contacting senators and representatives to ask for their help in making sure provisions from legislation to reinstate 75/25 blended rates are part of the next appropriate healthcare bill or other omnibus package this year.
“Please make a commitment to share the report with your senators and representatives this month and to follow up again in September,” the bulletin said.
