WASHINGTON, DC – Many manufacturers and vendors have stepped up their commitment to AAHomecare above and beyond their regular dues obligations. The latest such company is Drive Medical Design and Manufacturing (Drive), who has joined the ranks of AAHomecare’s corporate partners.

Drive and its CEO Harvey Diamond have been actively involved in AAHomecare for much of the company’s 14-year history. Support like this allows AAHomecare to increase its efforts and activities on behalf of the HME sector in Washington and devote additional resources to fight for legislative priorities and fairer regulatory treatment for every segment of this community.

Drive take its place among other AAHomecare corporate partners: Apria Healthcare; Brightree; Byram Healthcare;  Invacare; Medtrade; Philips Respironics; Pride Mobility; ResMed; and Shield Healthcare. In addition to their increased financial commitment, many senior executives at these companies lend their energy and expertise to the Association’s various councils, committees and working groups, and are among the most effective advocates for HME on Capitol Hill and before regulatory agencies.

Many of these companies are also long-time supporters of the Stand Up for Homecare campaign, which helps fund increased consumer outreach and grassroots advocacy for the HME community, and also helps us build strong relationships with leading patient advocacy groups that depend on our products. Providers can join the effort at the Stand Up for Homecare reception on Oct 21 at Medtrade in Atlanta, to network with leaders in the HME sector.

Jurisdiction A Informs Suppliers on Face to Face Requirements
AAHomecare continues to work with the DME MACs and CMS on current face to face requirements published by the DME MACs. One of the issues that AAHomecare’s regulatory council has raised is the requirement for a new face to face visit and documentation every time a new order may be required.

On September 17th, Jurisdiction A on the ACT call informed suppliers that the face to face requirement only applies to when written orders for Medicare payment are required. This clarification means that when a state has a prescription requirement annually, a new face to face is NOT required. This is great news for suppliers and beneficiaries.  AAH is excited to see this clarification and continues to work with CMS and the DME MACS on similar issues.

New Cosponsors for H.R. 4920 and H.R. 5083, In Wake of MED Group Fly In
The past month has been a full court press by the HME industry to get face-to-face meetings with members of Congress and their staffers while they were at home during the August recess. All this hard work came together as Congress returned to D.C. and the MED Group hosted a perfectly timed legislative fly-in on Wednesday, September 10.

The MED Group put out the call for providers and stakeholders to come to Washington to lobby for the binding bids legislation, H.R. 4920 and audit reform, H.R. 5083.

With nearly 100 meetings across 15 states, the event was a strong showing for the industry, educating members, building relationships and garnering support for our issues. H.R. 4920 is now at 40 cosponsors, gaining 12 this week alone. H.R. 5083 is now at 25 cosponsors, picking up 14 in the last week.

AAHomecare was proud to support the Med Group fly-in by managing the appointment process, providing briefing materials and joining them for a packed schedule of meetings on the Hill.

“Working together on our HME legislative priorities – through back home meetings, letters to Capitol Hill, and face to face meetings in DC – will ultimately be what makes the difference in getting these bills passed and enacted into law,” said Tom Ryan, AAHomecare CEO. “We fully appreciate the sacrifice and expense involved in coming to DC for these events. I would like to thank the Med Group and the dedicated attendees for their tireless efforts in raising the profile of HME on Capitol Hill.”