South Carolina HME Leader Bobby Horton Remembered

COLUMBIA, S.C. – AAHomecare and the HME community are saddened by the news that Bobby Horton, executive director of the South Carolina Medical Equipment Services Association (SCMESA), passed away on June 29.

Horton is remembered as an effective and tireless advocate at both the Federal and state level, drawing on political savvy that was sharpened by service as the Mayor of West Columbia, S.C. (2004-2011 and 2015-2019) and more than 10 years on the City Council prior to that.

“Bobby developed strong relationships with the South Carolina legislature that were advantageous to the HME industry,” recalls Laura Williard, AAHomecare Vice President of Payer Relations. “As recently as April of this year, Bobby shared information to educate state legislators on a right-to-repair bill that would impact complex wheelchairs.  The industry will greatly miss Bobby and his dedication to South Carolina providers and the HME community.”

A celebration of life for Horton is set for July 20 at Brookland Baptist Church in West Columbia.  More details on services and Bobby Horton’s extraordinary achievements can be found here.

Issue Summary: CY 2024 Home Health Proposed Rule

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As AAHomecare shared last week, CMS published the Calendar Year 2024 Home Health Payment Proposed Rule (CMS-1780-P) which includes several DMEPOS provisions. The rule proposes the following:

• Update the DMEPOS payment regulation to state that non-rural, non-CBAs will have the 75% adjusted and 25% unadjusted rates from March 6, 2020, until the duration of the PHE period or December 31, 2023, whichever is later.
• Cover lymphedema compression treatment items under a new Part B benefit category—including proposals on HCPCS codes and payment.

• Require a provisional period of enhanced oversight (PPEO) to last between 30 days to 1 year for certain new providers and suppliers.

• Modify the current DME refill policy by extending the 14-day timeframe to contact the beneficiary to a 30-day timeframe.

Virtual Washington Legislative Conference: Register Early for Your Best Slate of Meetings

WASHINGTON, D.C. – CMS is accepting comments on the proposed rule until August 29, 2023.  CMS will issue a final rule in the fall, which will likely be effective January 1, 2024.  See AAHomecare’s summary of the DMEPOS provisions in the proposed rule for additional insight.

AAHomecare is once again offering HME leaders from around the nation the opportunity to advocate for HME policy priorities with members of Congress and staffers through Zoom-enabled meetings.

Last year’s conference saw our advocates engage more than 240 Congressional offices.  Help us reach more House and Senate offices this year and secure you the best slate of meetings by registering as soon as possible.

Join your fellow leaders from across the country–from your home or office– to support legislative initiatives to further extend non-CBA/non-rural relief, boost rates in former CBAs, and ensure that any new competitive bidding rounds will include hard-won improvements to the process our industry has fought for.

Meetings with members of Congress will take place through Zoom conference lines from 9:00am to 5:30 pm ET on September 20. One week prior to the meetings, on September 14, AAHomecare will host a one-hour advocacy event online offering issue education, training on tracking your meetings and logging in via Zoom, and a guidance on how to ensure your message gets through to legislators and staff.

Register now – $129 members/$149 non-members.