Resources

Policy and Informational Materials from VGM Government Relations

Our resource center offers presentations, talking points, papers and studies all to keep you informed on the latest government developments and their effects on both the consumers and the HME industry. Please check back often for new resources materials.

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Congressional Meeting Toolkit  
Congressional Meetings 101A comprehensive guide on congressional meeting etiquette, advice, and other tips.
Delivery Cost StudyCosts have risen for suppliers in the wake of the pandemic. Although they are still rising, we captured the increased costs suppliers have been facing through a snapshot survey. View the results (separated by region) here.
Geographic ClassificationsView how physical locations of beneficiaries determine reimbursement rates for suppliers.
Committees of Jurisdiction for Health Care
Decreasing number of HME suppliers nationwideWe have tracked the number of HME suppliers since 2010. Every year, we update these numbers and have found 41% of suppliers have exited business since then. View this document to see how suppliers have decreased nationwide.
What the government could gain from investing into HMEA page from a study by Brian Leitten over cost savings the government could achieve by investing into HME. Additionally, there is a chart that shows how much the government currently spends on HME.
Round 2021  
CURES Act codes with rates
Mark Higley's Analysis of Bid Variance
Third Party Payer Calculators  
Instructions
Oxygen
CPAP and Supplies
Nebulizer
Hospital Beds
Group 2 Power Mobility Devices
Walkers
Manual Wheelchairs
Commodes
Patient Lifts
Support Surfaces
TENS
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy
Off the shelf Knee Braces
Off the shelf Back Braces
Top Legislative Priorities  
Custom Breast Prosthesis InformationThis document explains bills H.R.3087 and S. 2051, the Custom Breast Prosthesis legislation in the 117th Congress.
Competitive Bidding Calculators  
OTS Back BracesThis calculator will allow you to input your own book of business to see the impact your chosen bid price has on your revenue.
Round 2021 Pivotal Bid
OTS Knee BracesThis calculator will allow you to input your own book of business to see the impact your chosen bid price has on your revenue.
OxygenThis calculator will allow you to input your own book of business to see the impact your chosen bid price has on your revenue.
Support SurfacesThis calculator will allow you to input your own book of business to see the impact your chosen bid price has on your revenue.
TENS DevicesThis calculator will allow you to input your own book of business to see the impact your chosen bid price has on your revenue.
VentilatorsThis calculator will allow you to input your own book of business to see the impact your chosen bid price has on your revenue.
WalkersThis calculator will allow you to input your own book of business to see the impact your chosen bid price has on your revenue.
Hospital BedsThis calculator will allow you to input your own book of business to see the impact your chosen bid price has on your revenue.
Commode ChairsThis calculator will allow you to input your own book of business to see the impact your chosen bid price has on your revenue.
PMD/Power WheelchairThis calculator will allow you to input your own book of business to see the impact your chosen bid price has on your revenue.
CPAP and RAD DevicesThis calculator will allow you to input your own book of business to see the impact your chosen bid price has on your revenue.
Enteral NutritionThis calculator will allow you to input your own book of business to see the impact your chosen bid price has on your revenue.
Patient Lifts and Seat LiftsThis calculator will allow you to input your own book of business to see the impact your chosen bid price has on your revenue.
Manual WheelchairsThis calculator will allow you to input your own book of business to see the impact your chosen bid price has on your revenue.
NebulizersThis calculator will allow you to input your own book of business to see the impact your chosen bid price has on your revenue.
Calculator InstructionsInstructions for calculator use.
NPWT CalculatorThis calculator will allow you to input your own book of business to see the impact your chosen bid price has on your revenue.
State Licensure Tool Box  
Kentucky DME Licensure Language
Colorado Licensure
Welcome Letter
State by State Progress-DME Licensure MapRequiring DME licensure within states will create safeguards for our industry and allow us to raise the bar for local care
Key Points-DME Licensure Bill
Grassroots Strategies for your State Association
Talking Points for State Licensure
Making a Bill Supporter Prospect List
Tips on Finding a Legislative Sponsor
Temperature Check Meetings with Individuals
Planning an Effective Communication Strategy
Planning a Capitol Lobby Day
Meeting Recap Form
Sample Press Release
Status of Support and Opposition Form
Sample of DME State Licensure Bill Language
Alabama DME Licensure
Tennessee Licensure
Research Studies & Articles  
State request President release federal stockpile of supplies
Study: Competitive Bidding - A Decade Focused on the Wrong PrizeOver the past decade, The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) imposed its competitive bidding program on the durable medical equipment (DME) supply industry, attempting to reduce DME spending and attempt to eliminate the fraud they saw in the system. CMS spent the entire decade focused on the wrong prize. Instead of squeezing every dollar they could out of the system, often without due regard to the needs of their Medicare beneficiaries or the realities of the DME marketplace, they totally missed the big opportunity, orders of magnitude larger ‐‐ reducing the cost of treating injuries and illnesses that befall Medicare beneficiaries who lack the critical DME they need to stay well.
MAP- Decline of Medical Equipment Suppliers in the U.S. over the past 10 yearsDurable Medical Equipment (DME) suppliers, many of them being small businesses, are being forced to close their doors due to reimbursement cuts, regulatory restrictions, and excessive and unreasonable audits. The map indicates the number and percentage increase or decrease in DME suppliers over the last ten years.
DME Supplier NumbersUse this spreadsheet to illustrate the issues DME suppliers are facing to elected officials and their staff. When printing, print in landscape orientation.
Delivery Cost Survey Results-Far West
Delivery Cost Survey Results-Great Lakes
Delivery Cost Survey Results-Mideast
Delivery Cost Survey Results-New England
Delivery Cost Survey Results-Plains
Delivery Cost Survey Results-Rocky Mountain
Delivery Cost Survey Results-Southeast
Delivery Cost Survey Results-Southwest
Medicare Cost Shifting-Leitten Study July 2018
The Case For Medicare Investment in DME - Brian Leitten
The Case for Medicare Investment in DME (Full Study) - Brian Leitten
Rural HME Provider Study (NE,ID,KS,UT,SD)
Rural HME Provider Study (MT,ND,OR,WA,WV,WI)
ADA official statement on NMQF Study
NMQF Press Release Diabetes Care
The Case for Medicare Investment in DME-2014 by Brian LeittenIn an effort to reduce health care costs, Medicare has implemented policies that drastically cut medical equipment access for seniors and people with disabilities. However, a recent study shows that the healthcare system and beneficiaries will actually save on long-term costs if the governement invests in durable medical equipment services up front.
DMEPOS NPI CountDMEPOS NPI Count 2010-Sept. 2020
Congressional Letters  
Dear Colleague Letter-CMS to Ensure Access to DME Items
Getting Involved Guide  
State Politics are More Important than People Think
August Recess-What to do when your Congressman turns you down, by Tom Powers
Another Way to Stand Up for Your Small Business

If excessive fines, penalties or unfair regulatory enforcement
actions by federal agencies are problems for your small
business, you have an advocate in the U.S. Small Business
Administration’s Office of the National Ombudsman.

How a Bill Becomes a Law
People for Quality Care  
PFQC Competitive Bidding FAQs 
Beneficiary Complaint Hotline Card
Beneficiary Complaint Hotline Card - Diabetics Specific
Beneficiary Complaint Infographic - Organized by State & Complaint Category
Presentations  
Mark Higley HME News Business SummitA copy of Mark Higley"s Financial Benchmarking Survey presentation given at the 17th annual HME News Business Summit
Results of the 2021 benchmarking survey63 people participated in this survey (n = 63). Shows all answers for the financial benchmarking survey administered by HME News
How to Win a VA Contract
2020 Benchmarking Responses
2020 Benchmarking Survey Results
Coronavirus  
PPP and EIDL revitalized // 12.30.20Updates on the recent bill passed and changes to PPP, EIDL and tax implications
Tax Issues Relief Bill // 12.23.20updates on taxes
Vaccine Distribution info
VGM & Associates Guide to OSHA’s COVID-19 ETSAs of June 21, 2021, OSHA"s newly created COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) has appeared on the federal register, and businesses impacted by that ETS are expected to be compliant with the new standards very soon. VGM has created the following guide to walk you through the various requirements of the ETS to help you efficiently develop and implement your business’s plan to better protect your employees from exposure to the COVID-19 virus.
VGM Notice State Vaccinations Plans // 12.23.20Updates to vaccines by state