News
CQRC 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…
INDUSTRY 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,…
Opinion: 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,…
CQRC 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…