VGM Government Relations Blog

Yesterday, the Trump Admiration released an array of temporary regulatory waiver and new rules to help equip the healthcare community with flexibility during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our VGM Government team will continue to process the information and what it means for our members, but current highlights include:

Today, the Coronavirus Stimulus Package, H.R. 748, passed the House. The bill will now head to President Trump’s desk for his signature. Much needed reimbursement relief will be coming to home medical equipment suppliers! The bill includes language from H.R. 2771, which provides relief for areas deemed rural and non-rural by CMS.

See the bill language here on page 383, Sec. 3172, Revising Payment Rates for Durable Medical Equipment Under Medicare Program Through Duration...

Last week, the U.S. Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the U.S. Department of Labor (Labor) announced that small and midsize employers can begin taking advantage of two new refundable payroll tax credits, designed to immediately and fully reimburse them, dollar-for-dollar, for the cost of providing Coronavirus-related leave to their employees. This relief to employees and small and midsize businesses is provided under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Act),...

Many of our friends in the HME industry are involved in individual state COVID-19 committees, and they are doing their best to provide a voice for the HME community. In North Carolina, Mary Hooks of  Liberty Medical Specialties Inc. is part of the North Carolina Respiratory Board, along with Craig Rae of Penrod Medical Equipment. Craig reports that Mary made recommendations regarding the easing of licensing requirements to address the shortage of respiratory therapists in North Carolina....

HME News, in conjunction with VGM & Associates and the industry state and regional associations, are requesting you to complete a short survey via this link.

The purpose of the survey is to obtain some trends and observations relative to Round 2021 “single payment amounts” and the overall reimbursement climate for the many items included in the latest round of bidding. VGM reports requests from not only from many HME providers but manufacturers and distributors as well.

To...

Below is a document that answers billing & reimbursement questions regarding COVID-19. Topics include:

Click here to read the document.

For more updates and information regarding COVID-19, visit vgm.com/coronavirus.

According to an update from Noridian, CMS is currently reviewing signature guidelines that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. At this time, suppliers should do their best to obtain proof of delivery and should notate the file with beneficiary refused to sign, FedEx refused to obtain signature and/or if possible, get a picture of the delivery. Suppliers should continue providing the necessary supplies and document the medical record to the best of their ability.

For more...

The Senate has passed (by a vote of 90-8), and President Trump has signed, the second COVID-19 relief package, known as the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201). A full summary of the bill can be found here or the full bill here. This bill addresses several factors related to the COVID-19 outbreak, but for the healthcare/DMEPOS industry, the bill contains the following features that we believe are relevant to most of us:

Like you, VGM and its communities are closely watching and adjusting to the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation as it develops. We continue to work relentlessly for your success while ensuring our ongoing ability to serve you. Protecting our customers, our employee owners, and our company is of utmost importance to VGM. We have uploaded links and resources to vgm.com/coronavirus, including: