AAHomecare Committee Will Focus on Remedies for Small Providers under 'Competitive Bidding'

The American Association for Homecare is creating an ad hoc committee to focus on the specific threats and remedies for small homecare providers under restrictive contracting (competitive bidding) provisions of the Medicare Modernization Act. AAHomecare believes any qualified provider should be able to compete and CMS should not limit the number of homecare providers if the providers can meet prescribed prices and quality standards.



The new AAHomecare Small Provider Committee on Restrictive Contracting will work in conjunction with AAHomecare's Regulatory, Legislative Policy, and Executive Committees. AAHomecare is recruiting committee members through its committees and councils including the HME/RT Council, Regulatory Committee, Rehab and Assistive Technology Council, and the State Leaders Council. Members will be announced in July.



Still Time for Your Senators to Sign on to Letter to Fix the 'In-the-Home' Rule


Contact your Members of the U.S. Senate this week before the July 4 holiday to ask them to sign on to the bipartisan letter to HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt regarding a fix to the in-the-home restriction in Medicare. The Senate letter is being circulated by Senators Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM).



A similar letter in the House, signed by nearly 60 Members led by Rep. Charles Bass (R-NH) and Rep. James Langevin (D-RI), was delivered recently. See both letters at AAHomecare's website under 'Advocacy Priorities for Homecare, Mobility and Rehab, at the bottom of AAHomecare's homepage, aahomecare



To date, the following U.S. Senators have signed on to the Santorum-Bingaman letter:


-- Sen. Akaka (D-HI)

-- Sen. Bayh (D-IN)

-- Sen. Bond (R-MO)

-- Sen. Brownback (R-KS)

-- Sen. Cantwell (D-WA)

-- Sen. Corzine (D-NJ)

-- Sen. Dayton (D-MN)

-- Sen. DeWine (R-OH)

-- Sen. Dodd (D-CT)

-- Sen. Isakson (R-GA)

-- Sen. Jeffords (I-VT)

-- Sen. Kennedy (D-MA)

-- Sen. Kerry (D-MA)

-- Sen. Lautenberg (D-NJ)

-- Sen. Lieberman (D-CT)

-- Sen. Mikulski (D-MD)

-- Sen. Murray (D-WA)

-- Sen. Roberts (R-KS)

-- Sen. Reed (D-RI)

-- Sen. Talent (R-MO)



For information about contacting your Senators, see bottom of AAHomecare's webpage, aahomecare


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Join July 8 Teleconference on Home Health Advance Beneficiary Notice


Join AAHomecare's Education Teleconference on 'Providing Advance Notice to Beneficiaries: When to Use the New Expedited Determination Notices Versus the Home Health Advance Beneficiary Notices (HHABN).'_


Nationally known attorney Elizabeth Hogue will lead the interactive audioconference from 2:00 pm to 3:30 EDT on Friday, July 8, 2005. The cost is $129 for members; $189 for nonmembers. For a registration form, email Kim Kianka Roberti at kimkaahomecare or visit aahomecare/displaycommon.cfm?an= (See the Meetings and Education button on AAHomecare's website.)
















Physician Specialist Requirements for Power Operated Vehicles Are Posted


The DMERCs recently began posting notification that the physician specialist requirement for power operated vehicles (POVs) and scooters has been eliminated. This change, which CMS has been working on over the past few months, was anticipated.



The DMERCs indicate in their communications that the change is due to the new National Coverage Determination (NCD) for Mobility Assistance Equipment. In releasing the NCD, the DMERCs indicate that CMS officially eliminated the 'old' POV/scooter NCD, which contained the requirement that a patient be seen by either a physiatrist, orthopedic surgeon, rheumatologist, or neurologist in order to be prescribed a scooter.



The DMERCs originally published in early June their 'Transition Article' that outlines the new NCD and how it applies to the current certificates of medical necessity (CMNs). In the original article, the DMERCs indicated that questions 12-14 on the POV/scooter CMN still applied and therefore, the physician specialist requirement still applied.



The DMERCs have now begun to revise this article with the elimination of the physician specialist requirement and will be publishing information shortly that notifies providers of this change. For frequently asked questions on this topic from DMERC Region D, visit cignagovernmentservices/articles/June05/Cope2613.html



AAHomecare encourages providers to educate physicians and their referral sources on this change and its impact on a Medicare patient's ability to obtain a medically necessary and appropriate POV/scooter. The elimination of the physician specialist requirement broadens the policy to allow patients who have the medical need, ability to operate, and the appropriate home environment to obtain a POV or scooter.



Plan Home Visits and Site Tours for Your Members of Congress during August


AAHomecare expects Congressional activity in a number of areas including competitive bidding and pay-for-performance in the weeks and months ahead. Summer weeks when Congress is out of session provide a golden opportunity to schedule home visits or site visits for your Members of Congress so they can learn your issues and see first-hand the value of homecare in their home district.


During the week of July 4 and the entire month of August, Members of Congress should be spending much time in their home districts.


As issues come up in Congress, it makes a difference when policymakers can associate your name and face with the issue at hand. Explain what services you provide to patients in your community and how federal policies affect your ability to provide care and equipment to beneficiaries. Background on key homecare issues is on the front page of the AAHomecare website, aahomecare.



To schedule a visit, call your Congressional offices soon.





Michael Reinemer, VP, Communications

American Association for Homecare

625 Slaters Lane, Suite 200

Alexandria, VA 22314-1171 703-535-1881

aahomecare