Newly released information from the Department of Health & Human Services’ (HHS) 2026 includes plans to restart the Medicare competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment, the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) said in a June 3 bulletin. AAHomecare said the information was included in the HHS Budget in Brief document that discusses the department’s…
AAHomecare: HHS 2026 Plans Include Resuming Medicare Competitive Bidding Program
NCART Provides HCPCS Update for Wheelchair Securement Systems, Vehicle Components
The effective date of service for E1022 and E1023 was April 1.
Following DME MAC and Pricing, Data Analysis, and Coding (PDAC) bulletins on May 22, the National Coalition for Assistive & Rehab Technology (NCART) issued a reminder on June 3 on coding for wheelchair transportation securement systems, components, and accessories, along with a warning about coding for securement systems mounted on motor vehicles. The NCART update…
Briefly: RESNA Schedules Member Night During RehabWeek; BBB Issues DME Telemarketing Fraud Warning
Featuring the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America and the Better Business Bureau.
RESNA Member Night Scheduled for May 13 at RehabWeek The member event for the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) will be held at Pinstripes Chicago — a bistro, bowling and bocce venue — on Tuesday, May 13, starting at 6 p.m. “RESNA members and RehabWeek attendees will have the chance…
Seat Elevation: Why a Heavy-Duty Code Matters
Understanding the physics of seat elevation and how it compares to other seating functions.
It’s all about access, engineering … and physics. The spring 2024 coding and funding decision by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for power seat elevation was a textbook case of good news and bad news. The good news: CMS, citing how seat elevation can support and facilitate transfers and reaching tasks, affirmed…
Commentary: Dr. Oz Wants Prevention? He Should Embrace CRT
Complex Rehab Technology could be a cost-effective investment for the new CMS administrator.
After his first week as the new administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Mehmet Oz, M.D., shared four goals that embody the “Make America Healthy Again” mandate of President Donald Trump. Here’s #4: “Shifting the paradigm for health care from a system that focuses on sick care to one that fosters…
CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz Spells Out Medicare, Medicaid Priorities
Oz has been tasked with fulfilling the Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda.
After his first week as the new administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Mehmet Oz, M.D., has listed his priorities for the Department of Health & Human Services’ largest agency. In an April 10 press release, Oz referenced President Donald Trump’s mandate to “Make America Healthy Again.” “Great societies protect their…
Commentary: What Schoolhouse Rock’s ‘Bill’ Would Want You to Know About Policy
Bills S. 247 and H.R. 1703 to upgrade ultralightweight wheelchair frames are currently in the Senate and House.
I grew up watching Schoolhouse Rock! between Saturday-morning cartoons. While those short videos on grammar, math and American history were great for my education — the preamble song is why my entire civics class scored 100% on that quiz — one video had an outsized impact on my understanding of the legislative process. “I’m Just…
HHS Starts ‘Transformation’ that will Reorganize CMS, Other Health-Care Agencies
Programs supporting seniors, people with disabilities will be integrated into other agencies.
With sweeping changes that include reorganizing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has begun the “transformation” mandated by an executive order from President Donald Trump. On March 27, HHS announced that changes — which will involve the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the…
DMEPOS Relief Act, H.R. 2005, Introduced in U.S. House
New bill seeks to restore Mediare 75/25 blended reimbursement rate.
A bill to provide Medicare funding relief to many home medical equipment (HME) providers has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa). H.R. 2005, the DMEPOS [durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies] Relief Act of 2025, seeks “a 75/25 blended Medicare reimbursement rate for DMEPOs in non-rural/non-competitive bidding…
Ultralightweight Wheelchair Upgrades on the Agenda at AAHomecare’s Expanded Legislative Conference
The conference is scheduled for May 12-13.
Carbon and titanium upgrade legislation will be among the talking points at this May’s legislative conference hosted by the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare). AAHomecare noted in a March 5 announcement that 2025 “has ushered in a new administration and major leadership changes on Congressional committees of jurisdiction for health-care finance issues. Our industry must…