Category Posts

VGM was thrilled to be at another in-person event this week with the VGM Roadshow and TexMEP Event in Dallas yesterday. The VGM speakers included John Gallagher, VP of Government Relations, Ronda Buhrmester, Senior Director of Reimbursement and Payer Relations, and Craig Douglas, VP of Payer Relations.

The event concluded with a social event hosted by Victoria Peterson, President of TexMEP, as well as other TexMEP board members.

Our thanks to TexMEP for hosting the event. If...

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Yesterday, medical equipment suppliers in Kentucky and Tennessee attended a virtual meeting discussing the tornados that ripped through Kentucky and Tennessee in December. The meeting was assembled by Tangita Daramola, Competitive Acquisition Ombudsman, and the VGM Government Relations team.  

 

Suppliers from Kentucky and Tennessee were able to voice their concerns regarding needs and difficulties during the December tornados with representatives from FEMA,...

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This message is shared on behal of MAMES

This week, Representative Sharice Davids toured Cherub Medical Supplies, a Shawnee-based supplier of pediatric medical devices that is grappling with long delays due to the current shortage of critical materials like semiconductors. Davids joined Cherub and another local company, Lenexa-based Reliable Medical Supplies, to urge passage of legislation that would reduce our reliance on foreign-made materials and deliver these lifesaving devices...

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While it is true that our industry, and all industries for that matter, face challenges on several fronts, we should take stock in the amazing service, support, and products that our community was able to provide to those in need! Your focus on the patient was never more needed, and each of you rose to the challenge. As you battle through supply shortages, uncertain healthcare policies, public health emergencies, and crazy weather in multiple regions across the county, you continue to...

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VGM Government is always excited to feature our HME State Associations, who do so much to advocate and improve the HME industry. We recently chatted with the leaders of Midwest Association for Medical Equipment Services & Supplies (MAMES), Rose Schafhauser, Executive Director, and
Jim Schafhauser, Executive Administration and Member Services, about the success of MAMES!

Yesterday, John Quinlan of Quinlan’s Pharmacy hosted an event with candidate Joe Sempolinski, who is running in New York’s 23rd district replacing Tom Reed, who is not seeking another term in 2022.

Quinlan and the group discussed DMEPOS concerns with the candidate, including the need to release the DMEPOS Final Rule and extend Cares Act reimbursement for non-rural and rural areas, and to establish new rates for competitive bid areas due to increase costs of equipment,...

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Earlier this year, southern states like Texas and Oklahoma were hit with an unexpected winter storm that left many, including patients reliant on oxygen and other powered DME, without power for days.  That’s when HME state associations, VGM, and industry leaders stepped in to begin establishing processes are needed to assist beneficiaries in their time of need. Emergency Preparedness for Home Medical Equipment Suppliers Committee was established to address these issues. The goal of...

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The HME state associations met during the VGM Heartland Conference for the second State Leaders Summit on Tuesday, September 14.

Items discussed during the summit includde:

Emergency Preparedness Establishing/Maintaining a working relationship with the CMS regional offices through their OPOLE program. Recent announcements, data, studies, survey How VGM can assist the state associations.

Many state leaders attended the event in person at VGM’s...

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The Atlantic Coast Medical Equipment Services Association (ACMESA) conference was held this week in Wilmington Beach, NC. During this conference, the Tart Leadership and Advocacy Award was given to both Joey and Billy Tart of Family Medical. They are the inaugural (first) recipient of this award. In the future, this award will be given to ACMESA members who advocate on behalf of the industry and the patients they serve.

Beth Bowen also received an award for her 30 years of service working...

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Every year, members of Congress take the end of summer to spend time in their state/districts to hear from their constituent base. This year, the August recess begins August 2 and ends on September 10. Now is the time to reach out to your members of Congress at both the state and federal level to schedule a meeting during the August break. It’s important to build these relationships so HME legislation can move more efficiently through both levels of government.

VGM...

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