Congress Introduces SOAR Act to Improve Supplemental Oxygen Access

Mar 27, 2024 | Healthcare & Policy |      The Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform Act (SOAR) of 2024, designed to ease access to supplemental oxygen for Medicare beneficiaries, was introduced in the US House of Representatives by a bipartisan group of members of Congress.  The legislation, introduced by Representatives David Valadao (R-CA), Larry Bucshon, MD (R-IN), Adrian Smith (R-NE),…

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OXYGEN BILL INTRODUCED IN HOUSE 

HME News Staff Updated 9:53 AM CDT, Mon April 1, 2024 WASHINGTON – A bill to reform the home oxygen therapy benefit has now also been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.  The Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act, H.R. 7829, introduced by Reps. David Valadao, R-Calif.; Julia Brownley, D-Calif.; Larry Bucshon, R-Ind., and…

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CQRC Commends Introduction of the SOAR Act in the U.S. House

MARCH 27, 2024 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) – a coalition of the nation’s leading home respiratory therapy providers and manufacturing companies – commends the introduction of the bipartisan Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act (H.R 7829) in the U.S. House of Representatives. Introduced by Representatives David Valadao (CA-22), Julia…

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CASSIDY, WARNER, KLOBUCHAR INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO CREATE EASIER ACCESS TO SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN FOR MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES

FEBRUARY 28, 2024 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced legislation to ease access to supplemental oxygen for Medicare beneficiaries. The Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act of 2024 would establish a new payment methodology for non-liquid oxygen, allowing for most Medicare beneficiaries to be covered under the base payment levels. “Patients…

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OXYGEN REFORM BILL INTRODUCED IN SENATE 

HME News Staff Updated 11:14 AM CST, Fri March 1, 2024 WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy, MD., R-La., Mark Warner, D-Va., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., have introduced legislation to ease access to supplemental oxygen for Medicare beneficiaries by, among other things, permanently extending blended payment rates.  The  Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act of 2024  would establish…

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CQRC Applauds Introduction of the SOAR Act in U.S. Senate

March 1, 2024 Bipartisan bill safeguards access to supplemental oxygen to improve outcomes and well-being for an estimated 1.5 million Medicare beneficiaries Washington, D.C. – The Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) – a coalition of the nation’s leading home respiratory therapy providers and manufacturing companies – today applauds the introduction of the bipartisan Supplemental…

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IN BRIEF: SENATORS PUSH OXYGEN TEMPLATE, DME MACS PUBLISH SUPPLIES GUIDANCE

HME News Staff Updated 10:14 AM CST, Fri February 9, 2024 WASHINGTON – Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-La., and Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., urge CMS to adopt a standardized template instead of a medical record review to ensure access to supplemental oxygen for patients.   In a letter to CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, the senators state:  “We ask…

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CQRC Commends Bipartisan Senate Lawmakers for Urging CMS to Ensure Patient Access to Supplemental Oxygen Therapy

February 8, 2024 Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) spearhead letter calling on CMS to adopt a standardized template to streamline home respiratory patients’ access to supplemental oxygen and prevent unnecessary denials Washington, D.C. – The Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) – a coalition of the nation’s leading home respiratory therapy providers…

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Statement from the CQRC on the CMS Prior Authorization Final Rule

January 18, 2024 CQRC calls the final rule an important step, but says more should be done to protect patients WASHINGTON, DC – “The Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) applauds the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for publishing the final rule advancing interoperability and improving prior authorization processes. The provisions in this…

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CQRC Urges Adoption of Standard Clinical Data Element Template  

October 25, 2023 Supplemental oxygen community urges Medicare documentation reforms to protect patient access to home respiratory care  Washington, D.C. – The Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) – a coalition of the nation’s leading home respiratory therapy providers and manufacturing companies – is recognizing Respiratory Care Week by urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid…

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