The home medical equipment (HME) industry has seen several key legislative priorities gain ground as the August recess nears.
Here’s what you need to know:
Wheelchair Bill Advances to Senate
On July 20, the House passed H.R. 1703, the Choices for Increased Mobility Act, by voice vote.
According to HME News, “The legislation would create two new HCPCS codes: one for bases made with titanium or carbon fiber and another for bases made without those materials. It also would allow beneficiaries to upgrade within a code.”
Stakeholders are optimistic about the bill’s prospects in the Senate, although, of course, the ultimate passage remains uncertain.
Jay Witter, senior vice president of public policy for AAHomecare, stated: “We have two great champions in the Senate, Marsha Blackburn and Tammy Duckworth, and we’re working with them. The Senate is preparing. It’s just logistics.”
Competitive Bidding Bills See Movement
After a slowing in the House, two competitive bidding bills are moving forward again.
What do these bills entail?
HME News details: “Both bills would impose a five-year delay on competitive bidding, establish a technical advisory panel to evaluate whether competitive bidding is appropriate for these product categories and, if so, require a demonstration project before broader implementation.”
Additional HME Legislation Remains Active
Beyond the aforementioned legislative updates, several other important HME priorities are moving forward, including:
- The SOAR Act (H.R. 2902 and S. 140), which aims to support access to supplemental oxygen.
- The DMEPOS Relief Act (H.R. 2005 and S. 2951), which would establish a 75/25 blended Medicare reimbursement rate in non-rural, non-competitive bidding areas.
CMS Advocacy Efforts Continue
Finally, leaders at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid services (CMS) are continuing to meet with officials in the current administration to move a range of HME priorities along. The progress is slow and steady.
Tom Ryan, president and CEO of AAHomecare, put it plainly: “We’re chipping away at it.”
What Does This Mean DMEs/HMEs?
While none of these measures are law yet, of course, the momentum suggests lawmakers continue to recognize many of the challenges facing HME providers.
If enacted, these proposals could:
- Delay or reshape future competitive bidding requirements for certain product categories.
- Improve reimbursement opportunities for some suppliers, particularly those serving non-rural, non-competitive bidding areas.
- Expand patient access to specialized mobility equipment and supplemental oxygen.
- Reduce uncertainty by encouraging additional evaluation before significant policy changes are implemented.
Finally, it's important to note that these bills must still pass both chambers of Congress (where applicable) and be signed into law before any changes take effect.
