WASHINGTON, DC – Last week’s Payer Relations In Focus included an update on efforts by AAHomecare and TexMEP to protect continuity of care for all medically complex Texas Medicaid recipients.
AAHomecare has commented on a proposed rule from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission that does not include DME as specialty providers whose patients would receive continuity of care protections, and encourages Texas HME suppliers to comment on the rule, as well.
A template with suggested language for your comment letter can be downloaded here (MS Word). Please update the template letter with your company logo, company name in highlighted sections, and date you submit. We also encourage you to add specific details or examples related to your company for context.
Comments can be submitted via email to: [email protected] with subject line, “comments on proposed rule 21R032”. Comments are due by March 14, 2021. Contact David Chandler, senior director of payer relations for AAHomecare, at [email protected] with any questions about developing your comments.
ResMed’s Larissa D’Andrea Brings Experience and Record of Accomplishments to AAH Executive Committee
WASHINGTON, DC – ResMed’s Vice President of Global Government Affairs and Market Access, Larissa D’Andrea, has accepted the open position on the Executive Committee for AAHomecare. The open position became available following another merger within the industry, and the Association reached out to the talented and committed advocate to fill the position. D’Andrea most recently sat on the Board of Directors for the Association. She has also served on the HME/RT Council and was instrumental in the Competitive Bidding Bid Smart campaign in 2019.
D’Andrea has nearly twenty years of experience in regulatory affairs and government relations roles in the healthcare and consulting industry. She is also the co-founder of a social impact film and theatre production company.
“Larissa brings a lot of ideas, experience, and creativity to the HME industry and the Executive Committee,” notes Tom Ryan, president of AAHomecare. “I am excited to work with her in this new role and appreciate the thoughtful approach she brings to every project she is engaged in. We have benefitted from her work in our Councils, Board of Directors, and with the Bid Smart Campaign; as we engage new projects and policy strategies, I know she will be an asset to the industry in this role.”
AAHomecare to be Interviewed by OIG for Urological Supplies Report
WASHINGTON, DC – As shared in the Jan. 6 AAH Insider, Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) announced that they will be working on a report on acquisition costs for urinary supplies. The report is intended to provide information on quality and cost for CMS’ deliberations on lowering payments for urinary supplies whether through adjusting the fee schedule or including it in the competitive bidding program (CBP).
The OIG has invited AAHomecare for an interview to provide DMEPOS industry perspective on issues and concerns under Part B Medicare. A subgroup comprised of members from AAHomecare’s Regulatory Council and Medical Supplies Council are collaborating in preparation for the forthcoming meeting.
AAHomecare is pleased to have been contacted on this opportunity and appreciates the OIG’s process to interview the national association on this critical review. The discussion of including urological supplies to CBP has been promoted by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) and has been included in the President’s Budget over the last several years. This topic has been a concern for the DMEPOS industry and AAHomecare welcomes the opportunity to assist the OIG with their research.
See the summary of the OIG’s Work Plan for more details.
