In The News
Industry Calls on Congress to Support SOAR Act
More than a dozen national healthcare organizations are pressing Congress to support the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act, which would ensure Medicare patient access to life-saving oxygen therapy. Sixteen leading patient, provider and professional organizations are calling for Congressional support and cosponsorship for the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act (S. 1406/H.R. 2902), bipartisan…
Read MoreNational Health and Advocacy Organizations Call on Congress to Support Life-Changing Oxygen Reform
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, 16 leading patient, provider and professional organizations are calling for support and co-sponsorship for the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act (S. 1406/H.R. 2902), bipartisan legislation that would ensure people enrolled in Medicare who need supplemental oxygen can access the correct type and levels of oxygen needed for them to live full and active…
Read MoreNEXT ROUND OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING: COMMENT PERIOD CLOSES
VGM Group, the Council for Quality Respiratory Care and Cardinal Health at-Home Solutions have all shared the comments they submitted in response to CMS’s plans to resurrect the national competitive bidding program. The deadline for submitting comments was Friday, Aug. 29. Key recommendations in VGM’s comments include: Key points made by Cardinal Health at-Home Solutions: …
Read MoreCQRC CHAIR MENCHEN WANTS TO PROTECT PATIENT ACCESS AMID BIDDING, OTHER CONCERNS
As the new chair of the Council for Quality Respiratory Care, Robin Menchen has a lot of irons in the fire, including the SOAR Act, the new national coverage determination for non-invasive ventilation and the return of competitive bidding. Menchen, who is also president and CEO of Rotech Healthcare, spoke with HME News about the…
Read MoreINDUSTRY URGES CMS TO SET CLEAR TIMELINE FOR NIPPV COVERAGE CHANGES
WASHINGTON – Four major health care organizations—AAHomecare, the COPD Foundation, the Council for Quality Respiratory Care, and VGM Government Relations—have formally requested that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) establish a clear implementation timeline for the new national coverage determination (NCD) for non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV). In a letter sent July 23,…
Read MoreOpinion: Congress must reform home access to medical oxygen
As a patient living with a chronic respiratory condition, the constant news about cutting government programs and improving efficiencies can honestly be a bit anxiety-provoking. While these are worthy goals, reforms should be implemented in a way that does not disrupt patient care—especially when it comes to medical oxygen. I am a longtime patient advocate,…
Read MoreCQRC SAYS BID PROGRAM COULD HARM ACCESS, UNDERSCORES NEED FOR SOAR ACT
WASHINGTON – The Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) is concerned that Medicare’s proposed competitive bidding program could have substantial negative consequences on patient access and quality of care. The council says it’s time to pass reform that permanently removes the supplemental oxygen benefit from the program. “While we continue to review the proposed rule to…
Read MoreVOICES: Supplemental oxygen reform needed for stronger patient protections
Respiratory and pulmonary conditions can be complex, often misunderstood, and may even go undiagnosed for years. Having lived with the rare autoimmune disorder scleroderma since I was 19, I started experiencing breathing difficulties and a persistent cough in 2023. I even began sleeping outdoors to try and get more fresh air into my lungs. But…
Read MoreCQRC URGES CAUTION ON IMPLEMENTATION OF NIV NCD
WASHINGTON – While it commends the Trump Administration for finalizing a National Coverage Determination (NCD) for “Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV) in the Home for the Treatment of Chronic Respiratory Failure consequent to COPD,” the Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) is concerned about its quick implementation and potential access issues. The effective date of the final…
Read MoreReform Supplemental Oxygen for Chronically Ill Patients
For the 1.5 million Americans living with chronic lung and heart disease and other respiratory conditions, supplemental oxygen is not a luxury or something that would be nice to have — it is a literal lifeline. Supplemental oxygen allows patients to live more active, independent lives despite the serious health challenges they face. For these…
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