January 04, 2022

Window Closing to Gain Co-Sponsor Support on Sole Source Legislation!

Action Needed by Jan. 14 Deadline

2022 is off and running!  And so is the grassroots push to gain co-sponsors for proposed state legislation that will preserve patient choice and prohibit Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) from using “sole source” or “preferred provider” contracts for home medical equipment, supplies and services.  

Have you or your Medicaid clients been negatively affected by these practices in the past?  Then NOW is the time to do something about it!   It’s become clear working with the Ohio Department of Medicaid that these MCO contracts will continue to be permitted therefore legislative action is needed to provide a permanent solution.  In addition to lead sponsor Rep. Scott Lipps, we’re pleased to report we’ve picked up three co-sponsors over the holidays:  Rep. Thomas West, Rep. Darrell Kick and Rep. Jean Schmidt.  Significant co-sponsor support facilitates the chances of the bill going forward so while this is a good start, there’s more work to be done.

Take Action Now!  Sign-on Deadline is Jan. 14! 
  • Contact your state legislator in the Ohio House of Representatives and ask that they support this proposed legislation by becoming a co-sponsor. Click on this link to find your legislator and their contact information by entering your home or work or both addresses.
  • The Co-Sponsor Request letter and proposed bill (no number yet, bill number will be assigned upon introduction) was sent 12/15/21 to members of the Ohio House of Representatives by Rep. Lipps.  Feel free to use the key points outlined in these talking points or the co-sponsor letter and if possible, personalize the issue; share any impact these contracts have had, or may have in the future, on your organization and the Medicaid patients and families you serve.
  • If your legislator is interested in co-sponsoring the bill, they should contact Willa Bluestone at 614-644-6023 or Willa.Bluestone@ohiohouse.gov.  Time is running out – the deadline to sign on is Friday 1/14/2022.  If you need any follow-up with legislators from OAMES, please email OAMES executive director Kam Yuricich at kam@oames.org and she’d be happy to reach out. 

We understand everyone is very busy but don’t let this opportunity slip by to correct a Medicaid policy that removes choice for patients and greatly reduces or eliminates HME provider options.  Please reach out to your legislator today and encourage their support on this bill. If you have any questions or need any assistance with the message, don’t hesitate to contact executive director Kam Yuricich at OAMES. 

Industry Analysis on CMS' Final DMEPOS Medicare Rule

Did you miss it?  Shortly before the holidays, CMS published the long anticipated DMEPOS Final Rule (CMS-1738-F). While the rule included an array of updates and finalizations relative to benefit categories, new items, glucose monitors and more, the primary focus and concerns to DME providers were the final methodology of fee schedule payment “adjustment” amounts for DME furnished in rural/non-contiguous, non-competitive bidding areas and the 130 CBAs during and after the COVID-19 public health emergency. 

Medicare regulatory experts from the American Association for Homecare and VGM Government Relations provided helpful insight, rule analysis and a look ahead for 2022.  Please refer to the articles below for a break-down of the details and what this rule means to HME providers:

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