The product categories for the next round of Medicare competitive bidding will look very different from what industry veterans are accustomed to seeing. According to a Dec. 9 bulletin from the American Association of Homecare (AAHomecare), “legacy product categories,” including oxygen, standard wheelchairs, CPAP systems, hospital beds “and others included in previous bidding rounds will…
Final Rule Follow-Up: ‘Legacy’ Product Categories Out of Competitive Bidding’s Next Round
CMS Final Rule Restarts Competitive Bidding, Requires Annual DMEPOS Accreditation
Urological, ostomy and tracheostomy supplies were deemed to be appropriate for Medicare competitive bidding.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) home health calendar year 2026 final rule revives Medicare’s controversial competitive bidding program and requires annual accreditation for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) suppliers who bill Medicare. The long-awaited final rule was published on Nov. 28. Accreditation to become an annual requirement Accreditation, which…
AAHomecare, VGM Seek Grassroots Accountability Project Volunteers
GAP advocates will bring industry issues to their specific members of Congress.
The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) and VGM & Associates are partnering on the Grassroots Accountability Project (GAP) — and as the project’s name suggests, they are seeking advocacy volunteers. In a Nov. 19 bulletin, AAHomecare described GAP as “an initiative focused on strengthening the HME [home medical equipment] industry’s presence on Capitol Hill. We…
Updated Urological Supplies LCD Includes SCI Revision
The change impacts eligibility for sterile catheter kits.
The updated urological supplies local coverage determination (LCD) published by the Medicare DME MAC contractors includes a significant change for patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI). The LCD was published Nov. 13, with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2026. “The LCD incorporates finalized revisions, as a result of the LCD reconsideration process and written…
AAHomecare: Keep Advocating During Final Rule Watch
The home health final rule, which could include monumental changes to Medicare competitive bidding and accreditation, could come at any time.
As the home medical equipment (HME) industry continues to await the home health final rule that could include significant changes to Medicare competitive bidding and accreditation processes, the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) is urging stakeholders to keep speaking up. The final rule had been expected as early as Oct. 31. But in a Nov.…
AAHomecare Launches Advocacy Tools for Home Care Month
November focuses on home care, palliative and hospice care, and caregivers.
The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) has introduced multimedia tools to help advocate for the power of home care during November. AAHomecare’s assets for the month include infographics with statistics about the benefits of home-based care; social media posts and images, and video testimonials from consumers who use home medical equipment (HME), including Complex Rehab…
United Spinal Urges Support for Letter Opposing Including Urological, Ostomy, Tracheostomy Supplies in NCB
The letter, addressed to CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz, M.D., is targeting Republican members of Congress.
United Spinal Association is urging stakeholders to ask their members of Congress to sign onto a new letter that opposes the inclusion of urological, ostomy and tracheostomy supplies in Medicare’s proposed competitive bidding program. The letter, led by Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) and Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Pa.) and addressed to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid…
AAHomecare: ‘Strong Industry Response’ Needed for Commerce Department Investigation
The public comment period closes Oct. 17.
The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) is urging all home medical equipment (HME) stakeholders to strongly respond to the Department of Commerce’s Section 232 national security investigation into imported medical equipment, devices and consumables. “The department is seeking comments from stakeholders on multiple topics,” AAHomecare said in an Oct. 8 bulletin, “including these, for medical…
AAHomecare Shifts to Second Phase of Campaign to Reshape Competitive Bidding Policy
The association is meeting with key leaders at the Department of Health & Human Services.
The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) has begun phase two in its efforts to reshape Medicare competitive bidding policy. With the public comment period for the home health proposed rule now closed, AAHomecare is focusing on next steps, including meetings with key leaders to confront the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) plans to…
AAHomecare Shares Proposed Rule Comments on DMEPOS Competitive Bidding, Accreditation
The public comment period closed Aug. 29.
The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) has submitted its comments on Medicare competitive bidding and accreditation recommendations in the calendar year 2026 home health proposed rule. AAHomecare addressed its 45-page list of comments to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz, M.D., on Aug. 27. Competitive bidding proposals in conflict with executive…