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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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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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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