Call for Action: Help Stop "Double Dip" Cuts for Stationary Oxygen by Reaching Out to Capitol Hill

Rural and non-bid area oxygen suppliers need relief from “double dip” cuts in the 2017 Medicare fee schedule for stationary oxygen, which result in rates for rural and other non-bid area suppliers that are lower than the competitive bidding rates for this product category in many CBAs.  These new rates stem from the application of a 2006 budget neutrality offset balancing increased utilization for oxygen generating portable equipment with lower reimbursement for stationary equipment.

AAHomecare has raised concerns about the issue in a letter to the outgoing CMS General Counsel and is now engaging new leadership at HHS and CMS on the issue.  We would like to reinforce these efforts by generating Congressional interest and support on the issue as well.

If these additional cuts are impacting your company’s bottom line and your ability to serve patients, please let your Senators and Representative know your concerns, and ask them to contact CMS on your behalf.  You can use these points as a guideline for your discussions with CMS:

1. Medicare improperly reduced payments for E1390 concentrators by applying a regulation introduced in 2006 that only should be applied to unadjusted fee schedules called the budget neutrality offset. 
2. CMS’ inappropriate application of the budget neutrality offset has resulted in rural and non-bid area rates being lower than CBA rates in many cases.
3. The 2017 adjusted fee schedule payments for stationary oxygen equipment must be consistent with those based on regional average SPAs from CBAs.
4. How these cuts affect your business and patients.

If you need assistance crafting your message or contact information for healthcare legislative assistants in House & Senate offices, please contact Gordon Barnes at gordonb@aahomecare.org. Please also see our comparison of the rural and non-bid area rates to selected bid area rates for more perspective.

Share Your Expertise at Medtrade

AAHomecare members have a great deal of knowledge in sales and marketing, strategic planning, executive leadership, retail, business operations, competitive bidding and so much more. Have you considered sharing your expertise with others? Consider working with a colleague to submit a proposal to present at Medtrade. Priority for this year’s program is given to town hall/panel format presentations with two or more presenters. And sessions with a provider participating will be given top consideration in the proposal process! Presentations are 1 hour or 1.5 hours in length with time for Q&A.

The show will take place October 23-26, 2017 in Atlanta, Ga. This is a great opportunity to help build the knowledge of your peers and create a stronger HME business community. The proposal deadline is Thursday, April 27. You can submit online, or email Toni Ward, conference manager with questions at antoinette.ward@emeraldexpo.com.

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