While Round 2021 bidding has begun with non-invasive ventilators (NIV) included, The American Association for Homecare and respiratory stakeholders continue to call for these items to be removed from the program.
To that end, AAHomecare is meeting with CMS next week to discuss the issue. Also, after fostering strong support for House and Senate sign-on letters in June, AAHomecare is also meeting with legislators and staff on potential legislation that would keep non-invasive ventilators out of the bidding program.
In addition, the association has shared a new white paper, Costs and Value of Non-Invasive Ventilation in the Home (bit.ly/NIVwhitepaper) on non-invasive with select lawmakers and officials at HHS and CMS,
Developed by a workgroup within AAHomecare’s HME/RT Council, the white paper outlines the value of non-invasive ventilators and what it costs for suppliers to provide NIV, supplies, and comprehensive services to medically complex individuals in the home. The white paper also features testimonials of two NIV end users.
“As a group of dedicated professionals working every day with patients who require non-invasive ventilation and clinical services to live at home with a good quality of life, we want to express the concerns of patients, caregivers, and clinicians on this matter,” said Roxanne Venard RRT, with Ascent Respiratory Care, who co-chaired the workgroup that produced the paper.
“The white paper addresses the service-intensive nature of providing critical life support in the home, including the challenges Durable Medical Equipment companies face in supplying these patients with equipment and clinical services,” she added. ”Most importantly, the white paper includes our patients’ perspective on the importance of access to NIV, and how the competitive bid has potential to limit that access and in turn diminish their quality of life and overall health.”