The legislation to increase reimbursement for former Competitive Bidding Areas (CBAs) has officially dropped and we need HME providers to engage in grassroots efforts to help build co-sponsor support! HR 6641, the DMEPOS Relief Act of 2022, will provide a 90/10 blended payment rate (90% Competitive Bidding Rates/10% unadjusted Medicare fee schedule rates) for the 13 DME product categories that were removed from this round of the Competitive Bidding Program for two years, ending 12/31/23. On average, this increases reimbursement by 9% for former CBAs.
Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R—OK) and Rep. Paul Tonko (D—NY) introduced this legislation, and Reps Terri Sewell (D—AL), Brian Fitzpatrick (R—PA), Fred Keller (R—PA), Tom Reed (R—NY), and Frank Mrvan (D—IN) are original co-sponsors. If your Member of Congress is not listed above, please follow up with the bill number and ask that he/she agree to cosponsor the bill. For reference, the 95 House members who signed the Congressional letter to CMS about the issue last fall are key folks to re-engage and solicit co-sponsorship from.
The Ask: Please support HR 6641 to apply the 90/10 blended payment rates until the next round of the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program. Click here for an Issue Brief that you’re welcome to share with your Member’s staff to explain the issue as you make your request. Members of Congress interested in co-sponsoring this important bill should reach out to Rep. Markwayne Mullin’s office (if Republican) or Rep. Paul Tonko’s office (if Democrat). You can see the latest official list of co-sponsors here.
If you need assistance, feel free to contact Ashley Plauché at American Association for Homecare, Emily Harken at VGM Government Relations or Kam Yuricich at OAMES.