In Comment Letter to CMS on Proposed Competitive Bidding Program Rule, Supplemental Oxygen Leaders Emphasize Importance of Patient-Centered and Market-Based Medicare Policies to Ensure Continued Access to Quality Patient Care

Supplemental oxygen advocates call on Congress to advance the bipartisan Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act (S. 1406/H.R. 2902) to permanently remove oxygen from any future rounds of competitive bidding WASHINGTON –– The Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) submitted comments on August 29 to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz expressing concern and offering…

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Supplemental Oxygen Leaders: CMS’s Proposed Competitive Bidding Policy Underscores Urgent Need for Medicare Oxygen Reform

Oxygen leaders warn proposed CBP could again result in artificially low rates, further limiting patient access to care across the country WASHINGTON – Following a preliminary review of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) proposed rule for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program Updates, the Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC)…

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CQRC Names Rotech CEO as New Board Chair

With more than three decades of experience in oxygen supplier field, Robin Menchen is well positioned to advance Medicare supplemental oxygen reform and shape future of care delivery WASHINGTON – The Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) recently named Robin Menchen, CEO of Rotech Healthcare Inc. (Rotech), as chair of the board. As an industry veteran…

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CQRC Commends CMS for Modifying the Final Coverage Decision for Noninvasive Ventilation for Chronic Respiratory Failure

Policy released by CMS reflects many of the recommendations submitted by CQRC to support effective management of chronic respiratory disease, prevent ER visits and hospitalizations, and enhance patient quality of life WASHINGTON – The Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) – a coalition of the nation’s six leading home oxygen therapy provider and manufacturing companies –…

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Supplemental Oxygen Providers & Suppliers Commend Reintroduction of the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act in U.S. Congress

The bipartisan legislation improves patient access to oxygen modalities, while strengthening Medicare fraud and abuse protections to improve respiratory care WASHINGTON, DC –– The Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) – a coalition of the nation’s leading home respiratory therapy providers and manufacturing companies – today applauds the reintroduction of the bipartisan Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform…

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World Oxygen Day Underscores Urgent Need for Life-Changing Oxygen Reform 

WASHINGTON, DC – (October 2, 2024) – In honor of World Oxygen Day (October 2), 30 leading patient, provider, and professional organizations have united to call on Congress to pass the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform or SOAR Act (S. 3821/H.R. 7829). This pivotal legislation seeks to ensure that individuals enrolled in Medicare, who rely on supplemental oxygen, can…

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With Limited Time Remaining in 118th Congress, CQRC Calls for Congress to Restore Patient Access to All Supplemental Oxygen Modalities

Washington, D.C. – The Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC), a coalition representing the nation’s leading home respiratory care and supplemental oxygen providers and manufacturing companies, commends growing support for the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act (S. 3821/H.R. 7829), bipartisan legislation to address the loss of patient access to supplemental liquid oxygen and stabilize access for all…

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Jeff Barnhard, CEO of Lincare, Named Chairman of the Council for Quality Respiratory Care

June 11, 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 – recently named Jeff Barnhard, chief executive officer of Lincare, as Chairman of the Board. “It is a honor to serve as the next Chairman of CQRC,”…

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CQRC Urges Medicare to Streamline and Standardize the Process for Demonstrating Patients’ Need for Supplemental Oxygen  

April 25, 2024 CQRC Urges Medicare to Streamline and Standardize the Process for Demonstrating Patients’ Need for Supplemental Oxygen   Submitting statement to a recent House hearing on improper payments, CQRC highlighted the need for Medicare to standardize the process for determining medical necessity in order to safeguard patients’ access to care and avoid unnecessary…

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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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