AAHomecare Blog

2012-01-27T16:54:00.000-05:00

Washington Legislative Conference Comes at a Critical Time – It’s Now or (Maybe) Never Urgent Need to Show Force on Capitol HillConference Fee Now $0 for Members$100 for Non-Members Believing that the homecare community must demonstrate a strong showing on Capitol Hill February 15 and 16, AAHomecare has today offered to pay the full registration fee for all attendees from member companies

HMEs: Ask Lawmakers to Enact Market Pricing Program

2012-01-11T12:10:00.002-05:00

Congress is in recess until late January but is still working on important issues. While lawmakers are back in their home states, it’s important for HME providers to ask their Representatives and Senators to support the Market Pricing Program (MPP) and convey that support to their respective Republican or Democratic leadership in the House and Senate.Ask your Representatives and Senators to

House-Senate Conference Committee Appointed to Negotiate Payroll Tax/SGR

2012-01-04T14:30:00.000-05:00

A House-Senate conference committee for the doc fix and payroll tax break legislation has been appointed to reconcile differences between the two parties and the two chambers of Congress. Members of this conference committee will be especially influential in what is included or exclude from the doc fix legislation.Please ask your Representatives and Senators to contact their party’s leadership

Ask Your Representative and Senators to Include MPP in Legislation

2011-12-19T15:02:00.004-05:00

As last week wound down, Congress averted another threatened government shutdown, passing an appropriations bill funding federal operations through September 2012.Meanwhile, Senate leadership worked on a separate agreement to extend the payroll tax holiday, extend unemployment insurance protections and prevent a 27 percent cut in Medicare physician reimbursement (the “doc fix”). Earlier in the

AAHomecare Urges Congress to Enact Market-Based Alternative to Medicare’s Bidding Program for Home Medical Equipment

2011-12-12T16:39:00.003-05:00

Sustainable Market Pricing Program Corrects Flaws in Current Bidding Program, Preserves Access to Home-Based Care for Millions of AmericansThe American Association for Homecare urges Congress to enact the Market Pricing Program (MPP), a reform of Medicare’s pricing system that is an alternative to the controversial bidding scheme for durable medical equipment and services. “As it’s currently

The Holidays Highlight the Value of Home-Based Health Care

2011-11-23T12:44:00.001-05:00

WASHINGTON, November 23, 2011 ------ Millions of Americans will be able to share Thanksgiving and other holidays with seniors and people with disabilities who are able to live safely and independently in the comfort of their own homes, thanks to home medical equipment, services, and supports.Homecare also provides tremendous value to more than eight million Americans who require some type of care

Misleading Medicare Data on Improper Payments for Home Medical Equipment Paints False Picture

2011-11-16T14:16:00.001-05:00

The American Association for Homecare expressed dismay today that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) calculated a 61 percent improper payment rate for the home medical equipment sector for 2011. The 61 percent improper payment rate is significantly higher than the overall Medicare fee-for-service error rate, which is 8.6 percent for 2011. Even though the improper payment rate

AAHomecare Supports Key Anti-Fraud Bill Introduced in House

2011-11-11T11:00:00.000-05:00

The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) is pleased that Representative Peter Roskam (R-Ill.) introduced an important bill yesterday designed to reduce fraud and improper payments in Medicare. The Fighting Fraud and Abuse to Save Taxpayer Dollars Act, or FAST Act, H.R. 3399, would strengthen Medicare by shifting Medicare's "pay-and-chase" payment system to one that is modeled after

Meet the Team: Dan Smith, Director of Membership Sales and Marketing

2011-11-04T09:30:00.002-04:00

Dan Smith is the director of membership sales and marketing at AAHomecare. Dan joined the team in the summer of 2011.Dan spends the majority of his time traveling state to state, listening to members, talking to prospects, and promoting the value of AAHomecare. He’s a seasoned veteran of the HME sector, bringing decades of experience to AAHomecare. From 1983 to 1991, he was a Rehabilitation

Meet the Team: Tilly Gambill, Manager of Marketing and Communications

2011-10-21T12:04:00.004-04:00

Tilly Gambill is the manager of marketing and communications at AAHomecare. She joined the team in the summer of 2007.Tilly manages a variety of advertising, marketing, grassroots, and public relations projects for the Association. Her sweet Southern charm and whole-hearted kindness are positive influences on an office otherwise full of city folk. As one of our resident social media gurus, Tilly

Homecare Champion Award Will Go to Tom Ryan of Homecare Concepts and Joe Lewarski of Invacare

2011-10-21T10:19:00.000-04:00

In recognition of their outstanding service to the homecare community, Tom Ryan of Homecare Concepts and Joe Lewarski of Invacare Corporation will each receive the Homecare Champion Award from the American Association for Homecare next week at Medtrade.The Homecare Champion Award honors members of the American Association for Homecare who have made exceptional contributions to the homecare

Meet the Team: Gina Conlon, Executive Assistant and Office Manager

2011-10-14T10:07:00.005-04:00

Gina Conlon is the executive assistant and office manager for the American Association for Homecare. She has been keeping the team on track since October 2006.Gina works directly with Tyler as his executive assistant, and serves as mother to everyone else on the staff, more commonly known as the office manager. Many of you have spoken to her and received emails from her, and some of you have been

AAHomecare Calls on Joint Deficit Committee in Congress to Preserve Homecare Access for Millions of Americans

2011-10-13T14:47:00.001-04:00

The American Association for Homecare urges the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction not to include any additional budgetary spending cuts that will restrict access to home medical equipment and services in its recommendations to Congress. Over the years, homecare has broadened health care access for millions of Americans, while also producing cost-savings in the health care system by

Durable Medical Equipment Is 1.4% of Total Medicare Spending--and Falling

2011-10-13T11:42:00.002-04:00

Medicare Spending Chart: Durable Medical Equipment Is 1.4% of Total and Falling (NHE data)Help preserve HME, tell lawmakers "No more cuts to homecare." Visit the AAHomecare Action Center today.

Meet the Team: Tim Hopkins, Manager of Web and Information Systems

2011-10-07T15:06:00.004-04:00

Tim Hopkins is the manager of web and information systems at AAHomecare. He joined the team in January 2005.Tim handles all things technology under the AAHomecare roof – from PCs and laptops to mobile devices – and manages the website as well. Some say that he is both the cause-of and solution-to all of AAHomecare's technological problems. A self-proclaimed PC chiropractor, email list whisperer

Meet the Team: Jay Witter, Senior Director of Government Affairs

2011-09-30T14:48:00.004-04:00

Jay Witter is the senior director of government affairs at AAHomecare. He joined the team in the Winter of 2008.Jay brings sixteen years of legislative, political, and management experience to AAHomecare, which serves him well in advancing our legislative initiatives on Capitol Hill, as well as coordinating our political activities. His years working on Capitol Hill for several members of the

Harris Poll Finds Public Supports Increased Access to HME

2011-09-29T11:43:00.001-04:00

Americans want the federal government to improve access to HME and invest in home and community based care. And given a number of choices for how to reduce Medicare spending, cutting homecare was their least favored alternative.These are the results of a survey conducted last week of more than 2,000 adults in the U.S., conducted by Harris Interactive for AAHomecare. The survey was made possible

Meet the Team: Cheryl Bass-Briscoe, Manager of Membership Sales

2011-09-23T13:44:00.005-04:00

Cheryl Bass-Briscoe is the manager of membership sales at AAHomecare. She joined the team in the Winter of 2006.Cheryl shines when it comes to providing potential members with friendly, professional and courteous customer service. She is arguably one of the nicest people on our staff, and quite possibly on Earth (we are unsure where to go for verification). She says that the key to being great at

Do You Know a Homecare Champion?

2011-09-22T11:52:00.002-04:00

This Fall, the American Association for Homecare will honor the organization’s first Homecare Champion(s) by presenting an award that recognizes AAHomecare members who have made exceptional contributions to the HME sector. The recipient(s) will receive their honor at the Stand Up for Homecare reception that will take place during Medtrade on Tuesday evening, October 25, in Atlanta.We are asking

Expansion of Disastrous Medicare Bidding System Costing Jobs, Threatening Patient Care

2011-09-16T15:16:00.001-04:00

Dozens of stakeholders from the Triangle’s home medical equipment (HME) industry brought homemade signs and rallied for jobs around the corner from where President Obama touted his jobs bill in North Carolina.Organized by the North Carolina Association for Medical Equipment Services (NCAMES), the rally was designed to bring attention to the disastrous Medicare bidding system for HME.Learn more at

The Realities of Wheelchairs and Medicare

2011-09-16T13:15:00.000-04:00

Statement by Madonna Long“The public would be better served if policymakers left their desks in Washington and met with us in our homes, where every day is a struggle.”I have been in a wheelchair since being severely injured in a school bus accident as a teenager. For many people like me who live full lives with physical disabilities, the durable medical equipment provider who supplies mobility

Meet the Team: Gordon Barnes, In-House Consultant

2011-09-16T10:18:00.005-04:00

Gordon Barnes is an in-house consultant at AAHomecare. He has worked for the team for several periods since 2007.Gordon is best known as the Appointment Concierge to attendees of our annual Washington Legislative Conference – setting, confirming and managing hundreds of Capitol Hill appointments for conference attendees. (Put his skills to the test by joining us at the Legislative Conference in

Low Bids for Home-Based Care: A Threat to Independence

2011-09-12T14:34:00.000-04:00

By Kelly Buckland, Executive DirectorNational Council on Independent LivingWhile there is much debate about controlling costs and improving quality in our healthcare system, you don’t hear much about one simple way to achieve both: preserve access to good home-based care and equipment. Home medical equipment and services, such as wheelchairs, oxygen therapy, and other types of durable medical

Meet the Team: Alex Bennewith, Senior Manager of Government Affairs

2011-09-09T11:03:00.004-04:00

Alex Bennewith is the senior manager of government affairs for AAHomecare. She has been with the team for more than four years.Alex advocates for members on legislative and regulatory affairs with Congress, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Food and Drug Administration. She also develops partnerships with disability and consumer advocacy organizations that work with us on

Meet the Team: Michael Reinemer, VP of Communications & Policy

2011-09-02T09:52:00.009-04:00

Michael Reinemer manages programs to convey to policymakers and the media accurate, positive information about home medical equipment issues and the value of homecare. He joined the American Association for Homecare in 2004 and is vice president for communications and policy for the Association.Michael (on the right, no... the left) at Medtrade Spring in Las VegasHe began his career in

Hurricane Irene Spurs Emergency Deliveries of Oxygen to Patients in Storm Path

2011-08-29T16:19:00.004-04:00

From the Carolinas to New England, durable medical equipment providers spent much of the past three or four days preparing their customers for Hurricane Irene. Of particular concern to the companies are people who require supplemental medical oxygen, which is often supplied by an electric concentrator. During a power outage or evacuation, having an adequate back-up supply is essential to the

Meet the Team: Ashley Wyatt, Coordinator of Meetings and Education

2011-08-26T11:23:00.006-04:00

Ashley Wyatt is the coordinator of meetings and education at AAHomecare. She joined the team in the Spring of 2009. Ashley is in charge of recommending and coordinating educational events and teleconferences, as well as assuring that each trip to industry events (including Medtrade in October) goes as smoothly as possible, from the flight in to the flight out. She also spends time scouting

AAHomecare Corrects CMS Misinformation About Patient Medicare Bidding Complaints

2011-08-19T16:55:00.000-04:00

In the article, Medicare Bid Process for Medical Supplies to Expand, U.S. Says, published in Bloomberg, Jeffery Young reports on competitive bidding saying, “The [CMS] agency received 45 complaints, contrasting with reports from suppliers and the American Association for Homecare of more than 500 from beneficiaries who couldn’t find a supplier, said Tyler Wilson, the Arlington, Virginia-based

Myths and Realities about Medicare’s Competitive Bidding Program for Home Medical Equipment and Services

2011-08-19T15:10:00.003-04:00

As Medicare expands a controversial “competitive” bidding program for home medical equipment and services, economists, consumer groups, and members of Congress have gone on record to oppose that program citing reduced patient access to care, flaws in the program design, and impact on local jobs. “There’s a reason why more than 30 patient advocacy groups, 244 economists and auction experts, and

Meet the Team: Walt Gorski, Vice President of Government Affairs

2011-08-19T13:58:00.016-04:00

Walt Gorski is the vice president of government affairs at AAHomecare. He joined the team in the Winter of 2006. Walt oversees the government affairs team, coordinating strategies for legislative and regulatory positions, as well as lobbying Congress and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on a vast array of issues impacting the homecare sector. His time spent tackling policy

No More Cuts to Home Medical Equipment in Deficit Reduction Legislation

2011-08-16T18:26:00.011-04:00

The Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA) requires the creation of a 12-member, bipartisan joint House-Senate committee to recommend cuts in federal spending, including Medicare. We strongly urge committee members not to include any further cuts to home medical equipment and services (HME) in their recommendations. HME (or durable medical equipment) has been targeted for significant payment reductions

HHS Inspector General Report on Power Wheelchair Use in Medicare Triggers Misleading News Coverage

2011-08-15T13:36:00.001-04:00

Properly Prescribed, Power Wheelchairs Prevent Falls and Keep Thousands of Seniors and People with Disabilities Safe and Independent at Home, Lowering Healthcare Costs for Taxpayers A July 2011 report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) about power wheelchair usage in Medicare back in 2007 has resulted in misleading articles published in several

Meet the Team: Melva Mazur, Senior Director of Membership

2011-08-12T11:15:00.007-04:00

Melva Mazur is the senior director of membership at AAHomecare. She joined the team in the Fall of 1993. As the longest-serving member of the staff, Melva has worked in nearly every department since her first day on the job. Her experience ranges from government relations to education to her current department, membership. Melva is a walking encyclopedia of member information, based on her duty

Medical Supplies Council Pushes Full Agenda

2011-08-10T11:58:00.003-04:00

AAHomecare’s Medical Supplies Council focuses on HME policy issues that affect audit, payment and coverage issues related to diabetes, wound care and incontinence issues. The Council has worked on the following issues: ostomy claim denials, surgical dressings policy coverage, negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) accreditation standards and the issue of inadequate documentation from physicians

Meet the Team: Stacey Harms, Manager of Government Affairs

2011-08-05T15:13:00.005-04:00

Stacey Harms is the manager of government affairs at AAHomecare. She joined the team in the spring of 2005.As a member of the government relations team, Stacey attends Capitol Hill visits and lobbies for homecare issues, both regulatory and legislative. She is the resident expert on obscure regulatory policy, poring through several hundred page CMS documents upon their release and drafting

Meet the Team: Sue Mairena, Chief Operations Officer

2011-07-29T12:06:00.007-04:00

Sue Mairena is the chief operating officer (COO) of AAHomecare. She joined the team in the summer of 2003.Sue has more than 25 years of financial and managerial experience in a variety of industries.As COO, Sue manages AAHomecare's day-to-day operations, human resources, accounting, monthly financials and yearly audit, tax return and budget. In addition, each year she evaluates the Association's

More Support for H.R. 1041

2011-07-26T13:34:00.002-04:00

While Congressional support for H.R. 1041 continues to grow, with 143 co-sponsors currently on board, AAHomecare also continues to generate support from patient advocacy, consumer, and healthcare groups across the country, including this recent message from the California Federation for Independent Living Centers. That message, as well as the complete list of groups supporting H.R. 1041 may be

Meet the Team: Tyler Wilson, President and CEO

2011-07-22T15:18:00.003-04:00

Tyler J. Wilson is the president and CEO of AAHomecare. He joined the team in Fall 2006, with his first week on the job taking him to Medtrade.Working with the AAHomecare board of directors (a mix of large and small HME providers and manufacturers), Tyler leads the team in developing and implementing organization strategies on the Hill and at CMS, with the homecare industry’s best interests

Misleading OIG Report Fails to Blame Flawed CMS Documentation Process

2011-07-13T16:27:00.002-04:00

The Inspector General’s Office (OIG) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a report last week concluding that 61 percent of power wheelchairs provided to Medicare beneficiaries in the first half of 2007 “were medically unnecessary or had claims that lacked sufficient documentation to determine medical necessity.” But their report clearly indicated that medical necessity was

OIG Report on Power Wheelchairs Shows that CMS Must Do More to Educate Physicians

2011-07-08T18:15:00.002-04:00

A study released yesterday by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) at the Department of Health and Human Services illustrates the pressing need for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to give physicians concrete direction to meet policy and compliance mandates. The report found that more than half of Medicare power wheelchair claims submitted in the first half of 2007 did not

OIG Report: Most Medicare Power Wheelchairs Fail Medical Necessity Guidelines

2011-07-08T09:47:00.000-04:00

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report stating they found that 61 percent of power wheelchairs provided to Medicare beneficiaries in the first half of 2007 were medically unnecessary or had claims that lacked sufficient documentation to determine medical necessity. These power wheelchairs accounted for $95 million of the $189 million that Medicare allowed for power wheelchairs

Proposed Rule Issued on Home Health Face-to-Face Requirement

2011-07-06T17:27:00.002-04:00

On July 5, 2011, CMS issued a proposed rule that would require a physician who is ordering home health services under Medicaid to document that a face-to-face exam with the patient has occurred. The proposal, called for by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), requires a face-to-face exam with a physician for home health and durable medical equipment (DME) under both Medicare and

What CMS is Not Saying About the Competitive Bidding Program

2011-07-05T15:56:00.004-04:00

In contrast to CMS reports that there have been no changes in beneficiary health outcomes resulting from the Medicare competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment, AAHomecare and other members of the homecare community are hearing a markedly different story from patients and providers affected by the program.People for Quality Care has captured a particularly appalling story from Jim

Medicare’s Audit Process Hampers Access to At-Home Care

2011-07-05T13:58:00.001-04:00

Over-reaching by federal audit contractors in Medicare is restricting the ability of legitimate providers to supply medically required care and equipment to patients. The American Association for Homecare is working with policy makers to ensure that fraud prevention efforts are effective at stopping fraud without limiting access to care.At a June fraud prevention summit conducted by the U.S.

Home Medical Equipment Sector Continues to Promote Tough Anti-Fraud Measures

2011-06-20T10:59:00.004-04:00