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Posted On: January 16, 2020 by VGM Government Relations in: Competitive Bidding, CRT, US Rehab
It’s been a long journey to Capitol Hill, but with a strong commitment by the industry, BILL H.R. 1865 became a LAW on Friday, December 20, 2019! This change will enable accessories on complex manual wheelchair bases K0005 and E1161 to reimburse at...
January 16, 2020
Categories: Competitive Bidding, CRT, US Rehab
It’s been a long journey to Capitol Hill, but with a strong commitment by the industry, BILL H.R. 1865 became a LAW on Friday, December 20, 2019! This change will enable accessories on complex manual wheelchair bases K0005 and E1161 to reimburse at the unadjusted fee schedule for dates for service January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. It will also permanently exempt Complex Rehab Manual Wheelchair bases from the Medicare Competitive Bidding Program (CBP).
Join U.S. Rehab’s Director...
January 15, 2020
Categories: Competitive Bidding
VGM Business Forum is bringing together top HME leaders to connect you with the information you need to succeed in an increasingly competitive environment.
Join VGM Government as they host their VGM Business Forum on Tuesday, January 28, 2020. This event will take place VGM & Associates headquarters in Waterloo, IA. Reigstration is $30 per person. Click here to register for this event.
The focus of this Business Forum will be the Competitive Bidding “Gap Period”...
January 14, 2020
Categories: General
The new year is off to a good start for the DMEPOS industry. There are changes to the order requirements, making it one type of order called the Standard Written Order (SWO). All the other types of orders are being eliminated (5EO, 7EO, DWO, DWO, dispensing) for all DMEPOS effective Jan. 1, 2020.
However, what does this mean for your business? What does this mean for referrals? Is a verbal order still allowed? Are there still ACA 6407 requirements?
To get the answers...
January 9, 2020
Categories: Competitive Bidding, General
The new year is a time to reflect on the previous year as well as gain a fresh perspective. It’s a time to review the work that was done, and a look at what could have been done differently. It’s also a time for reflecting on celebrations and losses.
This was a year for competitive bidding! Our team was honored to help members during this confusing and taxing time. While there are still many unknowns about the future program, the VGM team looks forward to continuing...
January 8, 2020
Categories: General
Noridian will be hosting a webinar on January 14 at 1 p.m. CT to discuss the Standard Written Order requirements that became effective with dates of service as of January 1, 2020.
The Standard Written Order (SWO) requirements are in effect for dates of service January 1, 2020 and after. Refer to the SWO page (JA or JD) for the elements needed in this streamlined order.
Registration is limited, so be sure to register today by clicking here.
For more information about...
January 3, 2020
Categories: General
One year ago is when VGM first heard of changes affecting zip codes that moved them from rural to non-rural, which resulted in a reduction in the allowable. It was a member in Texas that reached out when they noticed a difference in their payments between the first quarter and second quarter of 2019. The VGM team researched and found out there were hundreds of zip code changes going from rural to non-rural.
Here we are one year later with only a couple of changes in the first quarter...
January 2, 2020
Categories: General
From the Desk of Ronda Buhrmester:
Remember the final rule for ESRD/DMEPOS reference number CMS-1713-F that included changes to order requirements? While there was speculation as to what the ruling meant, we now have the final answer. The Standard Documentation Requirements (SDR) has been updated with the updates being effective January 1, 2020.
There are now two types of orders and 1 new acronym, standard written order (SWO) and Written Order Prior to Delivery (WOPD). Below...
December 20, 2019
Categories: CRT
Great news for the DME/CRT Industry! Today, President Trump signed the spending bill that will fund the government through fiscal year 2020, avoiding a budget showdown. Included in this bill is the complex rehab technology legislation that will exclude manual complex rehabilitative technology (CRT) wheelchairs from the Competitive Bidding Program and will stop Medicare from applying competitive bidding rates to manual CRT wheelchair accessories for 18 months.
Our team and many...
December 20, 2019
Categories: Reimbursement
From the Desk of Ronda Buhrmester:
Medicare has gone to Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) from HICN that appeared on a beneficiary’s Medicare card. The transition started in April 2018 being implemented into various phases across the country.
The transition period will end Dec. 31, 2019. The MBI is required on any eligibility requests, claim submissions, prior authorization requests, and reopening requests to Medicare starting January 1, 2020. ...
December 17, 2019
Categories: CRT
