Update on Oxygen Reform Efforts
August 21, 2009
American Association for Homecare
On Tuesday, August 18, organizations representing the HME community, oxygen patients, clinicians, and physicians met to discuss oxygen reform. The meeting was positive and the executive committee of the American Association for Homecare thinks that the dialogue and resulting compromise proposed will resolve the differences that have recently divided the various parties. Each of the participating groups is now reviewing the compromise provisions.
The Association's executive committee has looked at the oxygen provisions that are included in the compromise and believes that the proposal is consistent with the Association's goals for oxygen reform.
Briefly stated, the compromise proposal:
- Eliminates the current 36-month cap on oxygen payments;
- Recognizes the services that are provided as part of the oxygen benefit;
- Creates a mechanism to show cost transparency that is less burdensome than that called for in the current provision; and
- Preserves the definition of oxygen companies as "suppliers" (not "providers").
The compromise proposal does NOT include:
- Provisions related to geographic adjustments; or
- Competitive bidding. (The bidding program would be addressed in separate legislation designed to eliminate that program.)
"This is an important step in the right direction, which means getting all stakeholders in the oxygen community working together toward a common goal," said Tyler J. Wilson, AAHomecare president. "After stakeholders reach agreement, many additional steps in the legislative process will remain before reforms are enacted or providers can take comfort."
Wayne Stanfield, president of NAIMES, commented, "We are pleased to support the compromise proposal now under review by the participants at the Tuesday meeting. We look forward to supporting the final language and joining forces with AAHomecare, state organizations, and the rest of the supplier community to protect the greater good of the entire industry."
American Association for Homecare
2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 725
Arlington, VA 22202
703-836-6263
WE THANK OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS
American Association for Homecare
2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 725
Arlington, VA 22202
For more information, please call AAHomecare at (703) 836-6263.
www.aahomecare.org
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