WASHINGTON, DC – Start with the basics. Email your Senator. It only takes two minutes on Action.AAHomecare.org. Forward this message to a friend and tell them to do the same.

Download the AAHomecare issue brief for more details about the legislation.

Make the Call
It can seem daunting to call a Congressional office, but please believe us when we say that they need to and expect to hear from their constituents. It’s your right and part of the governing process to call your representative’s office and make your opinion heard. Here’s a brief script to make this as easy as possible. See our online directory for contact information and ask to speak to the staffer who handles healthcare-related legislation.

Get the Word Out on Social Media
Social media is the fastest and easiest way to spread the word about the Medicare Competitive Bidding Improvement Act. Explain the issue to your friends on Facebook and followers on Twitter. Tell them why it’s important to you and how competitive bidding is hurting your business, and ask them to help. Tie every post together with a consistent call to take action at Action.AAHomecare.org.

We likely have just over a week left to get S.2975 considered on its own, or added to another legislative package. Don’t underestimate just how much you can help by contacting your Congressmen today!

Round 2 Recompete Timeline Released
7/15/2014
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announces bidding timeline, begins bidder education program

12/18/2014*
Registration for user IDs and passwords begins

1/6/2015*
Authorized Officials are strongly encouraged to register no later than this date

1/20/2015*
Backup Authorized Officials are strongly encouraged to register no later than this date

1/22/2015*
CMS opens 63-day bid window for Round 2 Recompete and the national mail-order recompete

2/17/2015*
Registration closes

2/23/2015*
Covered document review date for bidders to submit financial documents

3/25/2015*
63-day bid window closes

Winter 2016*
CMS announces single payment amounts, begins contracting process

Spring 2016*
CMS announces contract suppliers, begins contract supplier education campaign

Spring 2016*
CMS begins supplier, referral agent, and beneficiary education campaign

July 1, 2016*
Implementation of Round 2 Recompete and the national mail-order recompete contracts and prices

Dates listed are target dates.  View the timeline online.

NAMDRC Visits AAHomecare
On Tuesday, December 8, National Association for Medical Direction of Respiratory Care (NAMDRC) Executive Director Phil Porte visited AAHomecare HQ in Washington, DC to meet with CEO Tom Ryan and Board Chairman Robert Steedley, president and CEO of Barnes Healthcare Services. Along with Jay Witter, AAHomecare senior vice president of government affairs, the group discussed areas of alignment, mutual challenges, potential partnerships and priorities for 2015.

Established over three decades ago, NAMDRC  is a national organization of physicians whose mission is to educate its members and address regulatory, legislative and payment issues that relate to the delivery of healthcare to patients with respiratory disorders.

NAMDRC members, all physicians, work in close to 2,000 hospitals nationwide, primarily in respiratory care departments and critical/intensive care units. They also have responsibilities for sleep labs, management of blood gas laboratories, pulmonary rehabilitation services, and other respiratory related services.