Editor's Note
What's the situation with Round 2021 of competitive bidding and what does it mean for pharmacies serving DMEPOS beneficiaries?
- By David Kopf
- Apr 01, 2021
COVID-19 has strained America’s oxygen infrastructure like nothing before. What factors are impacting supply and demand, and how are stakeholders responding? What other factors are impacting the oxygen market at the same time?
- By David Kopf
- Feb 12, 2021
Business Solutions
It’s time again for our annual Big 10 list of trends affecting HME now and in the months to come, but this year is different due to the far-reaching COVID-19 public health emergency. See what will impact the industry as we roll into 2021.
- By David Kopf
- Feb 01, 2021
The Round 2021 bids show increases for lead items in most areas compared to the 2020 fee schedule, while bids for non-lead items show mixed results. CMS opted not to award contracts for 13 categories in late October.
While there are some slight ups and downs, analysis from AAHomecare shows next year’s DMEPOS fee schedule aligns with expectations and reflects the changes made due to COVID-19.
- By David Kopf
- Dec 17, 2020
Editor's Note
If CMS's decision to punt on 13 categories left you feeling left out in Limbo, it's good news. Sort of.
- By David Kopf
- Dec 01, 2020
Providers that submitted bids can now see their financial scores to see how they rated and to use the information for future rounds.
- By David Kopf
- Nov 19, 2020
The decision to punt on 13 categories might leave some providers feeling a little in Limbo, but AAHomecare’s Tom Ryan stresses the industry should notch this as a ‘W.’ That said, some rough edges remain and there’s still work to do.
- By David Kopf
- Nov 05, 2020
Nov. 2 webinar will provide information on CMS's recent announcement regarding Round 2021 of competitive bidding.
- By David Kopf
- Oct 29, 2020
Proposed rule covers various provisions, including continuing rural relief and removing manual CRT wheelchairs and accessories from bidding. Public comments will be due Jan. 3.
- By David Kopf
- Oct 28, 2020
Agency only awards contracts for off-the-shelf back and knees braces, leaving the industry guessing on the exact fate of nearly all remaining categories.
- By David Kopf
- Oct 28, 2020
Annual Advisory Board Roundtable
While Round 2021 is an unknown, the industry can focus on the grassroots effort to build support for legislation extending rural and non-bid area relief, as well as protecting oxygen funding.
Annual Advisory Board Roundtable
The next round of competitive bidding is just around the corner, but the industry has experienced complete radio silence.
- By Cara Bachenheimer
- Oct 13, 2020
With the scheduled bid amounts release date long past, AAHomecare presses CMS for details.
- By David Kopf
- Sep 24, 2020
H.R. 8158 would address the fact that rates for oxygen concentrators in some rural areas are significantly lower than rates in competitive bidding areas.
- By David Kopf
- Sep 10, 2020
Bill that would extend rural and non-bid area relief, as well as protect oxygen funding, currently sits at 79 co-sponsors — and needs more.
- By David Kopf
- Sep 10, 2020
Providers called on to urge their Representatives to sign Congressional letter urging CMS to remove accessories for manual CRT chairs from the competitive bidding program.
- By David Kopf
- Aug 13, 2020
While COVID-19 is at the fore of the industry’s mind, the next four months offer the industry to notch some policy wins on non-bid area rates, taxes on Cares relief, and CRT accessories
- By David Kopf
- Aug 13, 2020
Last-minute push for a letter calling on HHS and CMS to delay Round 2021 of competitive bidding due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic garners signatures from 98 Representatives.
- By David Kopf
- Jul 30, 2020
Tom Ryan of American Association for Homecare joins the HMEB podcast to discuss the current push to delay Round 2021 and the special Ambassador project to get more providers involved in the association.
- By David Kopf
- Jul 27, 2020