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Posted On: January 14, 2021 by VGM Government Relations in: COVID-19, General, PHE
We are continuing to collect information from our VGM members, state associations, and other sources on the COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Click here to see the data currently collected of how individual states are handing the distribution and whether HME...
January 14, 2021
Categories: COVID-19, General, PHE
We are continuing to collect information from our VGM members, state associations, and other sources on the COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Click here to see the data currently collected of how individual states are handing the distribution and whether HME providers are currently able to receive the vaccination.
If you have information that is not on this spreadsheet regarding availability to HME providers, or any resourceful links, please send to [email protected]
January 11, 2021
Categories: COVID-19, General, HHS, PHE
On Thursday, January 7, 2021, HHS Secretary Alex Azar announced an extension of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). This PHE was initially declared on January 31, 2020 (with acknowledgement that it has existed since January 27th). Any PHE declaration can only last for 90 days at a time, but can be extended or renewed. It has already been renewed multiple time throughout 2020, and the 90 day extension that occurred in October 2020 was set to expire on or around January 21. There are...
January 11, 2021
Categories: General
Complete the 2021 delivery cost survey here!
In 2018 we coordinated a survey which resulted in being able to provide elected officials and other payers or regulatory entities the actual cost to HME providers of delivering quality products to a patient’s home or institution. We were successful in obtaining some reimbursement relief via a 50/50 blend in our rural areas, and CMS and other payers seemed to acknowledge there would be access issues if HMEs were unable to service patients...
January 8, 2021
VGM, along with the HME State Associations and AAHomecare have been tracking the status of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution by state and whether HME providers are included in early distribution.
Click here to see the data currently collected of how individual states are handing the distribution and whether HME providers are currently able to receive the vaccination.
Please reach out to emily.ha[email protected] if you have information to share regarding vaccine distribution, that...
December 30, 2020
Categories: COVID-19, General, Paycheck Protection Program, PPP
There are a few things you need to know about the recent signing of the year-end legislative packge by President Trump. The larger spending package did have changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Diasaster Loan Program (EIDL), as well as some tax implications. Below are two articles from Mark Higley and Craig Douglas regarding the updates.
Changes to PPP and EIDL Tax Implications from COVID-19 Relief BillPlease reach out to Mark Higley...
December 28, 2020
Year-End Legislative Package Includes Oxygen Budget Neutrality and Extending the 2% Sequestration Relief
Just last night, President Trump signed the massive $2.3 trillion coronavirus relief and government funding bill into law, averting a government shutdown that was set to begin on Tuesday and extending billions of dollars in coronavirus aid to millions. This bill also includes two key HME pieces of legislation: Oxygen Budget Neutrality and Extending the 2% Sequestration...
December 23, 2020
Categories: COVID-19
The VGM Government Relations team has received several requests for information relative to “where does the HME community stand with regard to vaccine prioritization?”
As each state differs in its prioritization schedule, we are distributing this release in the hope that you may contact, if necessary, on an ongoing basis, the appropriate agency or state department of public health and obtain important information. We recognize you are on the “front line” and are...
December 23, 2020
Categories: PHE, Reimbursement
Part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act included reimbursement rate changes for certain zip codes and HCPCS codes.
Suppliers that service beneficiaries with a zip code in what is considered a non-rural and noncontiguous areas are receiving the 75/25 blended rate increase. That is 75% of the adjusted rates and 25% of the 2015 unadjusted rates. These rates are retroactive to March 6, 2020 through the remainder of the duration of public health emergency...
December 22, 2020
Categories: CMS, COVID-19, General, PHE
Year-End Legislative Package Includes Oxygen Budget Neutrality and Extending the 2% Sequestration Relief
Just announced! Congress passes their year-end bill and it includes two HME pieces of legislation: Oxygen Budget Neutrality and Extending the 2% Sequestration Relief.
Both of the Oxygen Budget Neutrality bill (H.R. 8158) and the Extension of the 2% Sequestration had their own separate bills earlier this year and have been included on the year-end bill, commonly referred...
December 21, 2020
Categories: COVID-19, General, Reimbursement
Congress will likely soon pass their year-end bill which includes two HME pieces of legislation: Oxygen Budget Neutrality and Extending the 2% Sequestration Relief.
Both the Oxygen Budget Neutrality bill (H.R.8158) and the Extension of the 2% Sequestration have been included on the year-end bill commonly referred to as a “Christmas Tree” bill, which contains many random riders and amendments, metaphorically like ornaments on a Christmas tree.
Click here to...
