AAHomecare Begins 90/10 Co-Sponsor Push
The association is calling on providers to urge their Representatives to be original co-sponsors for draft legislation that would apply a 90/10 reimbursement rate to items in Round 2021’s 13 un-awarded categories.
The American Association for Homecare is calling on providers to help support draft legislation in the House that would increase Medicare reimbursement for several product categories by urging their Representatives to become original co-sponsor of the nascent legislation.
Reps. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) and Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) have drafted legislation that applies a 90/10 blended Medicare reimbursement rate for items in the 13 product categories that CMS for which opted not to award Round 2021 contracts. As a result of CMS’s decision, reimbursement has remained frozen at 2016 rates despite increased costs, supply chain issues, and the Covid-19 pandemic.
The increased 90/10 rates would apply to claims from Jan. 1, 2022 through Dec. 31, 2023.
“You can help this important legislation get off to a strong start by asking your Representative in the House to be an original co-sponsor for when introduced,” a statement from AAHomecare read. “A strong show of grassroots support at the opening of this campaign will raise the visibility of this measure and re-affirm our industry’s passion and commitment to advocating for this legislation to our allies on the Hill.”
How to Help:
According to the association, the most effective way to support this legislation is for providers to send a brief, personally drafted email to their Representative’s healthcare staffer about the need to align Medicare reimbursement rates with the cost and operational environment our industry faces. The email should then ask that their Representative serve as an original co-sponsor to this bill.
AAHomecare has outlined instructions on drafting an email, as well as a link for locating and contacting House Representatives. The resources include details on finding the email for the staffer who handles healthcare issues for your Representative, as well as a list of legislators who joined a House sign-on letter last November asking CMS to address Medicare reimbursements for HME.
AAHomecare has also pre-drafted an email that providers can send via the association’s Action Center.
“The challenge is significant; passing legislation with a sizable budgetary impact is not easily accomplished,” AAHomecare’s statement read. “We’ll need our strongest, loudest, smartest advocacy campaign effort to succeed. The HME community is prepared, united, and ready to win. Let’s get the campaign off to a strong start!”