The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the 2024 DMEPOS fee-for-service schedule, as the home medical equipment (HME) industry continues to fight for improved reimbursement.

In a Dec. 20 announcement, the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) noted that the new fee schedule, which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2024, will “revert back to fully adjusted rates in non-rural areas, effectively removing the current 75/25 CARES Act relief rates. To do this, the rates for CBP [Competitive Bidding Program] items in non-rural areas would be considerably lower than the relief rates in effect today.”

AAHomecare pointed out that legislation that would extend the 75/25 blended rate for non-rural suppliers was approved by the House Energy and Commerce committee on Dec. 6.

“Our champions on Capitol Hill are working to have these measures included in the government funding and healthcare extender legislation that is expected to be considered before the next funding deadline, Jan. 19,” the association added.

AAHomecare has made chamber- and party-specific suggestions for industry stakeholders advocating for the continuation of the blended rate.