Emily Smith Remembers Her Dad, Mark E. Smith

December 1, 2018
SHAVERTOWN, PA – As I stare into the roaring fire, I realize at some point it turned dark outside. Yet, when I started my day at 3:00 a.m., it was dark then too. My other senses kick in, and I realize our 100-year-old farmhouse is so quiet. My

CMS Considers Adding Ventilators and Braces to Bidding Program

November 18, 2018
WASHINGTON, DC – CMS is soliciting comments on adding ventilators and back/knee braces to the product categories included in the next round of the bidding program. MedPAC had identified ventilators among items with comparatively high Medicare r

Final Rule is Critically Flawed

November 11, 2018
SANDWICH, MA – The Final ESRD rule is critically flawed; There, I said it. The totality of the rule does represent a step forward with respect to tone, and the ongoing relief for rural markets is meaningful. However, it makes up for that forwar

AAHomecare: Main Provisions in ESRD/DMEPOS Final Rule Appear Substantially Similar to Proposed Rule

November 4, 2018
WASHINGTON, DC – Key provisions in CMS’ just-released ESRD/DMEPOS Final Rule appear to be largely in line with those contained in the Proposed Rule, according to AAHomecare’s initial analysis. Extends the 50/50 blended reimbursement rat

Meeting the Challenge With Medicaid and MCO Payers

November 4, 2018
WASHINGTON, DC – Rising overall healthcare costs and growing Medicaid populations continue to pressure state Medicaid authorities to rein in costs wherever they can, and HME is a tempting target for these officials when budgets get tight.  AAH

CMS Expands QIC Telephone Discussion & Re-Opening Demonstration to Jurisdictions A & B

October 28, 2018
Citing “strong support from the supplier community” as well as initial success in DME MAC Jurisdictions C and D, CMS today announced expansion of the Telephone Discussions & Re-Openings Demonstration into Jurisdictions A and B, starting Novem